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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: TheRebelFred on June 30, 2017, 01:59:35 PM

Title: Belt replacement cost
Post by: TheRebelFred on June 30, 2017, 01:59:35 PM
Hi Zeronauts,

I have and love my '14 Zero S for the past 42,000km (26,000 miles).
Just wore through my first belt and was quoted $250 AUD (Aussie dollars) for a replacement.
The old belt had two missing teeth and the rest were very brittle.
Do you think this is a regular price? I've seen references to $90 USD on this forum.

I already ordered it but should I consider other options for reducing maintenance costs like the new wider belt and gears or a chain drive in the future?

Cheers.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: KrazyEd on June 30, 2017, 02:40:58 PM
If ONLY for the belt that it sounds high. If it includes installation than it doesn't sound too bad.
You have to be sure that it is an equal comparison.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: TheRebelFred on June 30, 2017, 03:33:22 PM
If ONLY for the belt that it sounds high. If it includes installation than it doesn't sound too bad.
You have to be sure that it is an equal comparison.
KrazyEd, that's $250 AUD just for the belt.
I'll be fitting it myself [emoji3]. I'm happy to learn and service the bike myself since I know it's going to be off the road for over a month while the belt arrives.

I've taken the wheels off, replaced the tyres, rebuilding the brake calipers and forks, replacing brake fluids and pads, and if time allows, painting the plastics with gloss black.

I'm new to this so I'm paying particular attention to the finer details because...safety first.

Will make a service post if I can too.


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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: Lecram on June 30, 2017, 04:04:24 PM
Fitting a belt takes less than one hour, so that price is pretty high. You could ask them how long it takes to replace the belt
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: Shadow on June 30, 2017, 04:18:19 PM
Relevant unofficial manual wiki reference: http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#Belt (http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#Belt)

Drop the swingarm, thread the new belt, replace swingarm, you know how to do the rest... except!
Pay attention to the advice about belt alignment. There's a trick to it.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: TheRebelFred on June 30, 2017, 04:46:26 PM
Lecram and Shadow, I've already taken the swing arm off and it was as easy as you said.
Will have to think about type of threadlock to use when tightening swing arm bolts and torque settings (not is user manual).
Alignment for the swing arm is not really possible but wheel alignment has to bet set correctly. I'm guessing you can set the correct tension and just alternate the left and right tension bolt and spin the wheel until there's an even space on either side of the belt. Then just check tension again.


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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: ESokoloff on June 30, 2017, 05:03:52 PM
Hi Zeronauts,

...............

I already ordered it but should I consider other options for reducing maintenance costs like the new wider belt and gears or a chain drive in the future?

Cheers.

Is replacing sheaves (pulleys) to acomadate a wider belt an option (2016 DSR)?
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: domingo3 on June 30, 2017, 06:40:10 PM
Hi Zeronauts,

...............

I already ordered it but should I consider other options for reducing maintenance costs like the new wider belt and gears or a chain drive in the future?

Cheers.

Is replacing sheaves (pulleys) to acomadate a wider belt an option (2016 DSR)?

Anything is an option, but realistically, no.  I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, so just repeating what I read here.   There's some other posts on the forums that explain about why it would be a challenge.

I have not had an issue with my belt yet, but I ordered a spare to keep at home, just in case, so I don't have to wait for a replacement like OP. 

Hi Zeronauts,

I have and love my '14 Zero S for the past 42,000km (26,000 miles).
Just wore through my first belt and was quoted $250 AUD (Aussie dollars) for a replacement.
The old belt had two missing teeth and the rest were very brittle.
Do you think this is a regular price? I've seen references to $90 USD on this forum.

I already ordered it but should I consider other options for reducing maintenance costs like the new wider belt and gears or a chain drive in the future?

Cheers.

If you went 42,000 km on one belt, I don't think you'd be reducing any maintenance costs changing to chain drive, as chain and sprockets will last about the same, plus upfront costs, plus cleaning and adjusting the chain, plus noise.  I think chain drive would be a good option if you were riding off road a lot and getting damage from sticks and rocks.  I prefer my belt for on the road.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: TheRebelFred on June 30, 2017, 07:45:21 PM
Domingo3, I agree with you especially about the noise of chain drives. I'm probably just going to order replacement parts from the U.S. directly if it saves money.
In regards to the wider belt, it may be similar to the compromise of wider tyres vs narrower tyres. Wider tyres provide more grip but higher rolling resistance so for our bikes, the right size tyres have already been chosen well by the Zero engineers. And similarly, the wider belt may be more suitable for the higher torque and power of 2017 bikes whereas the narrower belt is more suited to pre 2017 bikes.

It's all good food for thought though.


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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: Erasmo on June 30, 2017, 08:26:36 PM
Hi Zeronauts,

I have and love my '14 Zero S for the past 42,000km (26,000 miles).
Just wore through my first belt and was quoted $250 AUD (Aussie dollars) for a replacement.
The old belt had two missing teeth and the rest were very brittle.
Do you think this is a regular price? I've seen references to $90 USD on this forum.

I already ordered it but should I consider other options for reducing maintenance costs like the new wider belt and gears or a chain drive in the future?

Cheers.
If I remember correctly you're already 2000 km above the recommended replacement point. Some American dealers do dropshipping to overseas, that might be an option especially since the belt should fit in an envelope.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: Richard230 on June 30, 2017, 09:10:36 PM
The last replacement belt that I bought from my dealer for my 2014 S cost $80 USD.  (I haven't needed to use it yet.)  I might add that it seemed to be a standard Gates belt part.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: Olle on June 30, 2017, 09:48:13 PM
The last replacement belt that I bought from my dealer for my 2014 S cost $80 USD.  (I haven't needed to use it yet.)  I might add that it seemed to be a standard Gates belt part.

I just ordered a new belt from the Norwegian dealer - similar cost as AUS $ 250. That should be more than double the US $80 price.

My problem is a small stone in the belt:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170630/bcd6e62d08a46bddca0b065972cfc103.jpg)
Anyone who has experience with this problem? What is the probability for the belt to snap? Should I remove the stone? Change the best ASAP?


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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: clay.leihy on June 30, 2017, 10:45:33 PM
This is the only alternative I could find: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170630/d6194db52002809afbaac4733119bcba.jpg)http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/5956802d7141f/platinum-design-manual-brochure-foldout.pdf (http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/5956802d7141f/platinum-design-manual-brochure-foldout.pdf)


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Title: Belt replacement cost
Post by: skoleskibe on June 30, 2017, 11:09:14 PM
The last replacement belt that I bought from my dealer for my 2014 S cost $80 USD.  (I haven't needed to use it yet.)  I might add that it seemed to be a standard Gates belt part.

I just ordered a new belt from the Norwegian dealer - similar cost as AUS $ 250. That should be more than double the US $80 price.

My problem is a small stone in the belt:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170630/bcd6e62d08a46bddca0b065972cfc103.jpg)
Anyone who has experience with this problem? What is the probability for the belt to snap? Should I remove the stone? Change the best ASAP?


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I would change the belt. It'll snap when you need it least. The prize is the same if you change it to day, before it snaps or the day after you've been stranded.


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Title: Belt replacement cost
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on June 30, 2017, 11:34:54 PM
Yeah, at least order a belt ahead of it snapping.

Also, I'll add recommendations to the manual to clean the sprockets regularly and particularly when changing the belt, since sprocket debris makes a belt wear faster.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: TheRebelFred on July 01, 2017, 09:02:01 AM
Hi Olly, I strongly agree with the above zero gurus, the belt should be replaced even if there is one tooth missing or any crack or rock in the belt. When I studied engineering, belts wear evenly due to the amount rotations per minute so if one tooth is damaged/missing, the others are soon to follow.

With my original post though, clay.leihy posted the below:

Order your own parts? (Maybe this'll help Aussies?)

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=32392&share_tid=7083&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eelectricmotorcycleforum%2Ecom%2Fboards%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D7083&share_type=t

The purchase cost of the belt with shipping comes to $150 AUD which is already $100 cheaper than what I paid but if you purchase other items, it is a lot cheaper as shipping is half the cost.

I'll let you know how the order goes with af1racing but if their purchase experience is anything to go by, it should be very smooth.

🤞


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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: odedmaz on July 01, 2017, 11:50:24 AM
Wonder how long in takes AF1 to order and get the parts before shipping.

You definitely need a new belt.

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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: KrazyEd on July 01, 2017, 11:57:28 AM
You might ask the dealer that you order from to see about drop shipping directly to you.
I have ordered parts through Hollywood Electrics and they arrived directly from Zero within a few days.
Makes more sense. Why ship from Manufacturer to dealer then to end user? Waste of time and resources.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: TheRebelFred on July 03, 2017, 10:43:19 AM
Hi odedmaz, I definitely need a new belt soon and if I don't ride a motorbike soon, I'm going to go crazy!

KrazyEd, I will ask AF1 to ship directly from Zero to me. Great idea mate!


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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: MostlyBonkers on July 09, 2017, 04:04:08 AM
I've just had a new belt fitted here in the UK. It cost a total of £220! 65 plus vat for the belt and the rest was for two hours of labour.

My last belt only lasted 11,000 miles. I think I lost a few teeth coming off a kerb under full throttle. The wheel span up and there was a horrible crunching noise when it hit the tarmac. After that, the belt started slipping more and more. I ended up riding Miss Daisy just to get me to work and back before the new belt arrived.

I put the short belt life down to riding off road a few times. I also need to avoid going over potholes and suchlike with the throttle open.  There were a lot of teeth missing by the time it got replaced.

I was shocked at the two hours of labour just to change a belt. Learning on the job, I think.  I didn't quibble though as the dealer lent me a courtesy bike for two months recently...
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: KrazyEd on July 09, 2017, 10:00:32 AM
As far as replacing the sprockets with the 2017 ones, I was told that you could have one of the splined sprockets
machined out by a qualified machine shop, put a key way in it and it should work. I am guessing that the wheel sprocket
should just be a straight swap. As with everything else Zero, keep an eye on Hollywood Electrics for when to purchase.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on July 13, 2017, 01:43:24 AM
As far as replacing the sprockets with the 2017 ones, I was told that you could have one of the splined sprockets
machined out by a qualified machine shop, put a key way in it and it should work. I am guessing that the wheel sprocket
should just be a straight swap. As with everything else Zero, keep an eye on Hollywood Electrics for when to purchase.

That is intriguing, and I suppose without a Sevcon 4.5 controller, the torque wouldn't break the design limits of the keyed shaft.
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on July 13, 2017, 10:21:05 PM
As far as replacing the sprockets with the 2017 ones, I was told that you could have one of the splined sprockets
machined out by a qualified machine shop, put a key way in it and it should work. I am guessing that the wheel sprocket
should just be a straight swap. As with everything else Zero, keep an eye on Hollywood Electrics for when to purchase.

That is intriguing, and I suppose without a Sevcon 4.5 controller, the torque wouldn't break the design limits of the keyed shaft.

I just remembered that this thread exists: http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=6538 (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=6538)
Title: Belt replacement cost
Post by: TheRebelFred on September 19, 2017, 06:14:09 PM
Finally made some time for an update.

I emailed AF1 a few questions about delivery times, if they can have Zero deliver directly and some other questions and the blokes at AF1 were fantastic to deal with. They kept me up to date when parts were received by them and when the parts were shipped to me.

All up it took 33 days from ordering to the package being delivered:
- 19 days from ordering,AF1 receiving parts from Zero and then shipping to Australia)
- 14 days shipping from US to Australia.


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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: TheRebelFred on September 19, 2017, 06:32:25 PM
I have also installed all the parts on my bike and attached photos below.

In terms of price, it is slightly cheaper to buy from AF1 racing but their service is worth more than the savings from buying locally (from this one purchasing experience anyway).

The total list of parts installed since the bike has been off the road:

- New motor under warranty as the previous one showed signs of internal bearing failure.
- New onboard 1.3kW charger as the last was not charging the battery to 100% (usually 91% SoC)
- Tail tidy
- Givi factory top box (also noticed that the rack has the usual seat bolt mounts, under seat bolts AND a metal frame with rubber boot that sits on the tail plastic! I can send photos if anyone is curious)
- a double fast charger (6.8 kW) from EVtricity which I havn't used as my go to electrician is soaking up the sun in the northern state of Queensland. Lucky bugger :)
Also will not mount the charger to the bike as this will void the warranty so it will stay at home except when I'm touring in summer and it will live in the top box.

Last thing is a good cleaning and I'll have to plan the next upgrades!

Before tail tidy and top box:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170919/ab780a68058bad300a06023d37767034.jpg)
After tail tidy and top box rack:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170919/9ee2a42a4381ef563a760dc11718fbb1.jpg)
After clipping in top box:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170919/aca9ae8c1cf335762e9e43ea1aa6052d.jpg)

And finally getting back to the reason for my post:

I have installed the belt! And have a spare for the next 40,000km (85,000km on the odometer or odomile for the americans ;)


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Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: nigezero on September 22, 2017, 03:26:47 AM
My first belt failed at 5000km, but I think a mate might have smashed it over speed bumps etc. replacement lasted 35000 kms and just lost a tooth. That's acceptable imho. New one is on, will be interesting to see how long it lasts - I have the smaller front sprocket so I know it's working real hard. Took 46m from start to finish to replace it
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: grmarks on September 23, 2017, 11:35:24 AM
There is one name to remember (and phone number) if you are an aussie.

Hollywood Electricts!

I phoned them up, ordered 2 belts paid $346 AUD (I think I posted $334 on another post but that was wrong) and had them on my doorstep in 8 days (was delayed because while I was on the phone a guy walked in and purchased one of the 2 belts in stock, so I had to wait an extra 2 days).

I opted for the $80 USD fast shipping (slower option was $60 USD). My belt had 16 teeth missing (5 in one spot) and I was riding it each day in custom mode set to 0 torque. It was painfully slow to accelerate but that was the whole point, less power. It made it through the 6 days (didn't ride on weekend). 

I was also thinking if I could get a new bigger belt pulley machined to fit the 2015 keyed shaft. Anyway that is 60,000 km away seeing I have 2 new belts now.

The manual says to change the belt at 30,000 km, I had done 30,500 km when I stripped the teeth under full acceleration.

   
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: oregonrider89 on September 23, 2017, 09:42:38 PM
I just replaced my belt (2015 SR). I noticed teeth missing at 25,000 miles but it lasted almost another 1,000 miles before 90% of the teeth came off under full acceleration. I still made the 20 miles to home with a very gentle throttle hand.

A replacement belt was in stock at Monarch Powersports in Orem, UT. Total cost, with shipping, was $98 and it arrived in 3 days. I replaced the belt myself and it took about 15 minutes.

I love that motorcycle!
Title: Re: Belt replacement cost
Post by: togo on September 27, 2017, 02:17:33 AM
> I was also thinking if I could get a new bigger belt pulley machined to fit the 2015 keyed shaft.

I think that's the trick to liveforphysics' wheelie-capable Zero SR.  He has extra lights mounted at 45 degrees down so he can see when he wheelies down the street in the dark.