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[electrictwowheeler]

I snapped a belt driving on a newly paved road with some gravel and tar. I'm sure it was a piece of gravel that tried to go through one of the sprockets. At 2000 miles I had a small piece of gravel punch a hole through the original belt so I replaced it.
The belt was still working so I coiled it up and jammed it inside the frame under the seat as a spare. When the replacement belt snapped, I coasted into a driveway and decided to try to install the spare. It was really easy to do by removing the rear fender and unplugging the taillight wire. The replacement belt can be installed by passing it between the tire and hugger fender then on the inside of the rear sprocket and over the front sprocket. I didn't mess with the axle nut, I just rolled the belt on by rolling the bike backwards. Yes, I know this is not recommended and also that you are not supposed to coil up the belts but this is an old belt with a hole in it. I was back on the road in about a half an hour and rode home 30 miles in rain mode to limit strain on the belt. There are very few tools needed to do this. See the photos to see the belt storage, tools used and broken belt.
This worked perfectly and got me home where I could properly replace with a new belt.

[princec]

Nice one, I didn't think they could be installed by just rolling them on, thought it was too tight.

Cas

[Moto7575]

If you have time, a page in the unofficial Zero Manual would be great - as well as the list of tools to take with you, and a reference of a cheap but compatible belt to keep in the trunk...

I snapped a belt driving on a newly paved road with some gravel and tar. I'm sure it was a piece of gravel that tried to go through one of the sprockets. At 2000 miles I had a small piece of gravel punch a hole through the original belt so I replaced it.
The belt was still working so I coiled it up and jammed it inside the frame under the seat as a spare. When the replacement belt snapped, I coasted into a driveway and decided to try to install the spare. It was really easy to do by removing the rear fender and unplugging the taillight wire. The replacement belt can be installed by passing it between the tire and hugger fender then on the inside of the rear sprocket and over the front sprocket. I didn't mess with the axle nut, I just rolled the belt on by rolling the bike backwards. Yes, I know this is not recommended and also that you are not supposed to coil up the belts but this is an old belt with a hole in it. I was back on the road in about a half an hour and rode home 30 miles in rain mode to limit strain on the belt. There are very few tools needed to do this. See the photos to see the belt storage, tools used and broken belt.
This worked perfectly and got me home where I could properly replace with a new belt.

[Fred]

I'll have to go outside and double-check my SR/F but I can't see how you could fit an endless belt without at least removing the rear wheel spindle. 

Edit: Just checked and you certainly can replace the belt without having to remove the spindle. I was thinking of the way ICE bikes normally have their front sprocket and swingarm arranged.

[2020_SRS_Commuter]

Recently changed my belt and was really impressed with Zero in this respect.  So easily done on the side of the road.  I have a small toolkit onboard with my old belt if ever needed. Two hints
1 The inner fender need not be removed,  only one bolt om the swingarm so the belt can pass through
2  There is a proper way to fold the belts,  its the same way they arrive in the bag when you order new ones. This fellow  demonstrates how to put it back in that state.

[Richard230]

I really wish that the belt on my 2018 S was that easy to replace. Needing to remove the swing arm to replace the belt is no fun. 

[Moto7575]

See here:


Question : where can we find a cheap "spare" belt to keep in the trunk in case of emergency - cheap enough to have it "in case", strong enough to make the 100 miles needed to come back home and put a normal belt.

I'll have to go outside and double-check my SR/F but I can't see how you could fit an endless belt without at least removing the rear wheel spindle. 

Edit: Just checked and you certainly can replace the belt without having to remove the spindle. I was thinking of the way ICE bikes normally have their front sprocket and swingarm arranged.

[2020_SRS_Commuter]

Moto my cheap suggestion would be to buy a new Gates belt and carry that.  When you have put enough miles on the existing belt to change it,  install the new one you were carrying,  and now carry the old one.  Assuming you will put enough miles on the bike for this to happen before you sell it,  that is the cheapest option because you didnt buy a "spare"  belt at all.

[Tony]

Well done Sir

[electrictwowheeler]

There might not be a cheap belt that fits. I paid $140 for the replacement belt but now the price appears to have gone up to $220. To use my technique requires exactly the same belt because I did it without loosening the axle nut or adjusting the tension. I don't think I'd use this method on a new belt because you might damage it. You could just buy a new one and install it and use the old one for the spare. My experience so far is that they break or get damaged before they wear out. Two belt replacements in 19,000 miles. I do tend to ride on bad roads.
If you want to carry a spare you probably just have to buy one. It's way quicker and more convenient than a tow truck. Thanks for the positive feedback

[electrictwowheeler]

Here is a better pic of how the belt fits inside the frame under the seat. You have to remove the plastic side cover on the right side of the bike to get it out but that takes the same size torque bit that the fender takes. Tools needed are an 8 mm socket or combination wrench to remove the front seat, something to remove 2 wire ties. I used the pocket knife blade to release the rachet on the wire ties so I could reuse them. Something to pry out the taillight wire hold down that fits in a small hole in the swingarm. I used a screw driver blade on the knife. A torque bit to fit the fender fasteners or a socket. It is a smaller size than the seat attachment screw. That's it