Hey all,
Just wanted some opinions...

Got a new Carlisle Ultimax 2 belt for my 485 cc fan-cooled Phazer.
Do I need to work this belt in, and if so, how do I go about doing so?

My current blet is fine, but I want to put a new one on, and keep the old as a spare.

Thanks.

when i install a new belt i take it easy for 80km . no wide open runs just cruise around and you should be fine and i will say it does help on the life of a belt. :thumbsup:

Same here. Around 50 miles of easy starts, and slower speeds.

I like to wash the new belt in soap n water, rinse well and dry. Or wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Then give it about 30 miles of easy driving, then let er rip. Current belt has 1900 miles, I thought about changing it out, but maybe I'll wait till 2000 miles.

I usually figure 100 miles of more gentle than normal riding. I aviod pinning it and real abusive riding. After that I beat the snot out of it.
Avoiding hard accelleration will reduce the chances the belt will stretch on break in and greatly increase its life. I typically get 3,000 - 5,000 miles out of a factory cat belt (I normally replace them every other season reguardless) and I had one on a touring sled that had well over 8,000 miles on it.
Break em' in and they will last.

Break em' in and they will last.
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Truer words were never spoken :thumbsup:

With the cost of belts these days I'll do anything I can to prolong the life expectancy.

I think most belt manufacturers recommend a 50 mile break in period. I usually take it easy for the 1st day that I put a new belt on.

good post! I just put a new belt on and will definately take everyones advice! :D

CatManCHREE

what i found works preety good, run your new belt in slowly, do not give her too much for
first while, then just let her buck wot, take it off and trough it in the snow to reset . 800 ho rocks

I just put it on and go like snot. Never really cared about how long it lasts but I am hard on everything I own. :devil:

I like to wash the new belt in soap n water, rinse well and dry. Or wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Then give it about 30 miles of easy driving, then let er rip. Current belt has 1900 miles, I thought about changing it out, but maybe I'll wait till 2000 miles.
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YES!!!!

The belts are covered with mold release when you get em. Waxes and silicone, all bad stuff for gripping and deposits on the sheaves!

ALWAYS warm up you belt on a stand and they will last for a long time!

I never have the patience to get more than 10-20 miles on a new belt before getting in it..... :whistling:

I had NO idea! I thought you just put them on and take off.

So le tme get this straight. It looks like I should wash them in soapy water and then go put them on and run it for about 30 miles each just gentle and slow? I just bouht 3 new belts for the one ride in Jan! I thought it was just a cost of the sport. Damnit there needs to be a book about how to get the most out of your sled.

Paul, if you blow 3 belts up in Houghton,,,, we need to look at your clutches. I always take 3 or 4 with me,,, one on the sled, one as the back up and the others in the truck for that added protection,,,, the cost of a belt up there is a LOT more than at your dealer down here. That I can promise.
The way I have always broken in a belt was to run it easy for a few mile then stop for 10 minutes or so,,, then another few mile nice and slow and stop again for 10 minutes,,, my third time around I run a little harder and this time I try to take a half an hour break, letting the belt cool totally off. My 4th time around, I do a couple of wide open runs and then try to get it home to sit for the night. I try to buy 2 belts and break them in at the same time,,,,
I have had good luck breaking them in this way,,,

Thanks everyone! Great responses! I'm heading up north in a few minutes actually... my brother just called from the car while he was arriving and said the trails are OPEN!!! I'm gonna go for a night time boot :) I'm gonna be sledding in about 4 hours or so! Can't wait!

this is how i broke my belt in...lol

http://snowmobiledragsters.com/belt.jpg

true story.. still went 103 mph in 1/8th

but after this its been faster and faster..