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[Perseverius]

Hi, just thought I'd try my luck and ask if anyone has used the Gates tension app to check their belt. I've recently changed my bike to the higher speed gearing option and I see the Gates app only makes suggestions for what the frequency should be for mountain bicycles. Nothing on the unofficial service manual either.

[Shadow]

Loving the "100% Electric" lettering... neat!  I haven't got the Gates belt tension app to work for me...

[hubert]

There are numerous "spectrum analyser" apps available, or even guitar tuners which are merely the same thing. If someone knowledgeable recommended the "right frequency range" for our belts, we would be able to quickly check them anytime without needing an extra tool.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Oh, FYI, I noticed that Zero's 2017 manual was updated since January and now lists the Gates Carbon Drive app and has a general procedure for using it! So that's some kind of endorsement.

I tried to use it and cannot get a proper pluck to happen, so I don't have a reading yet or a good thing to write down on the wiki.

Presumably, one has to find the exact center of free play along the lower belt pass and really twang it with something stiff.

I'm still proficient using the Krikit gauge, so I'm still relying on that for now. And my belt is still well in spec at 18k miles, but I do check more frequently now, maybe twice a month since I rack up 1600 miles per month just commuting.

[scorpion32]

I like the "100% electric" also.

I look for something similar. Probably something that can be attached on the back of the bike.
Maybe we should come up with a slogan, since zero seems not to have one.

I like "enjoy the silence - 100% electric", but this might be puzzling for some people.

Haha, sombody already had the same idea (see the pic).

[hubert]

Riding these days on wet roads, rainy weather. The zero is not exactly silent. The belt is making horrible screatching noises when accelerating, supposed to be "normal" when wet as read in another thread. Somehow I feel uncomfortable when passing by pedestrians who can hear that. What do they think? Can't tell them while riding "oh, don't care, it's just humidity...". Maybe some will think "electric vehicles and rain are just a dangerous combination...".

[Perseverius]

Thanks for all the replies. The 100% electric sticker was put on the bike by the dealer effectively making my bike a riding billboard for these bikes. It doesn't look bad so I don't mind. As for the Gates app, I've tightened the belt a bit and as you can see, plucking the belt gives consistent results. So I guess this could be a quick and easy way to check.

[Doug S]

The 100% electric sticker was put on the bike by the dealer effectively making my bike a riding billboard for these bikes.

Ah, that makes sense. I like it too, but it's mostly covered by your leg when you're riding. But not in the showroom or when it's parked somewhere!

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Riding these days on wet roads, rainy weather. The zero is not exactly silent. The belt is making horrible screatching noises when accelerating, supposed to be "normal" when wet as read in another thread. Somehow I feel uncomfortable when passing by pedestrians who can hear that. What do they think? Can't tell them while riding "oh, don't care, it's just humidity...". Maybe some will think "electric vehicles and rain are just a dangerous combination...".

Belt groan is a known issue with some remedies:
http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Common_Problems#Groan_Sound

I don't know about screeching (try cleaning the sprocket teeth with a brush), but if it's just a low groan, I wouldn't feel too self-conscious.

[hubert]

Ahhh, I'm not so familiar with the english words "groaning" and "screetching", in fact, don't know how to describe that noise which may be "normal" under wet conditions!

[hubert]

Hello, I tried the carbon drive app and could reproduce consistently a frequency of 43 to 44Hz. Nice to be reproducible. But what does it mean? Which is the correct "frequency range" for a '14 S belt?

[aaronzeromoto]

Here are the relevant pages from the newest owner's manual.  The 8mm frequency range is applicable to all 2013 and newer motorcycles that have that belt. 

8 mm --> 96.3 to 125 Hz
11 mm --> 42.5 to 73.6 Hz

Regards,
aaronzeromo

[hubert]

Hello Aaron,

Strange, just checked the 2017 manual, it says:

Zero S ZF13  pitch 8   20-30kg
All   other    pitch 11  25-76.5kg

This looks like an odd copy-paste between krikit spec and frequency measurement spec...

Furthermore, where do you come to the point that ZF6.5 has 8mm pitch and ZF13.0 has 11mm?

[MajorMajor]

You can see in the specs that it's a different belt between 6.5 and 13
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s/specs.php

[aaronzeromoto]

Hello Aaron,

Strange, just checked the 2017 manual, it says:

Zero S ZF13  pitch 8   20-30kg
All   other    pitch 11  25-76.5kg

This looks like an odd copy-paste between krikit spec and frequency measurement spec...

Furthermore, where do you come to the point that ZF6.5 has 8mm pitch and ZF13.0 has 11mm?

Yes, these are typos that are getting corrected in the current manual.  And you are right that the ZF6.5 does not have an 8mm pitch belt.  Ignore the model designation and only look at the belt size.  The frequencies apply to the relevant belt.

Sorry for the confusion.

aaronzeromoto