Drive belts

Drive belt

The drive belt is a bit like a combination of chain and shaft, among the advantages we can include:

Its lightness (together with the pulleys it weighs much less than a chain with sprockets).
The toughest belts can go up to 80,000 km. The belt usually lasts 50-60% longer than a mid-priced chain.
It works quietly, requires no maintenance, lubrication or tightening at all.
It smooths out jerks, which prolongs the life of the transmission.

Disadvantages?

It is not designed for heavy-duty motorcycles and is much wider than a chain. The pulleys themselves need to be the right size, which is why you don't put this type of drive on sportbikes.
Motorcycles with a belt can only ride on clean, dry roads, off-road is out.
Any stone that gets under the belt will cause it to break.
It is sensitive to the misalignment of the rear wheel. In the case of a chain that allows a slight deviation, nothing terrible will happen. And in the case of a belt, it will lead to rapid wear.

Which is better, belt, shaft or chain? Each option has its place in different areas. Enduro motorcycles, sportbikes - chain. Small capacity scooters and mopeds - belt. Liter machines - driveshaft.

How to choose a drive belt?

Drive belts are available in different lengths. It is important to choose a good size, too tight can break, and too loose can fall off the pulleys.
The first place to look before buying is to open the vehicle's technical book, these documents should list the size and profile of the drive belt, and sometimes even the specific manufacturer. If this is not possible, take a close look at the belt, there is usually information on it about the length in mm or inches.
If the marking on the belt is not visible or cannot be read, we need to determine two variables, the profile and the length of the belt. All measurements should be taken with the belt in a loose (not tight) state.
Scooters of Chinese origin usually use only 3 belt lengths:

669 mm when the belt cover is 40 cm
729 mm most popular when the lid is 43 cm
788 mm for a lid of 46 cm