Belt Break in procedure Gates Carbon

[1madbird]

I was at my local dealer this summer and listened to the salesman tell a SxS own who just bought a new belt to throw it in the dishwasher to break it in due to the heat cycles. Anyone tried this? Would the temperature in a dishwasher have any affect on the carbon fibers in the Gates carbon belts?

 

[TRS]

I haven’t heard that one. Wonder where he obtained the info? I’ve had numerous conversations with R&D at Gates, it’s not been mentioned or offered to me.
It’s plausible. Interesting for sure.
Maybe your dealer will give you a belt to give it the old “one belt try” and report back.

 

[1madbird]

Ya I will have to go back and talk to the salesman and find out how they came up with the idea and see what the actual success rate has been with this method.
Thanks

 

[tuneman]

I wouldn't hurt the belt, but it would be far less effective than using hot soapy water and a soft brush. Maybe even make performance worse. Dishwashers tend to leave some residue, especially if you don't have soft water.

 

[BeartoothBaron]

I can't say that sounds like a good idea, but can't think of any reason it'd do harm. The two things I can think of that it would do is wash and de-grease the belt, and to give it a good heat cycle. I would be careful of what you use for soap. I've always scrubbed my new belts with plain dish soap and hot water to remove any grease or mould release agents. That might be an old-timer idea, you'd think they'd send them out pretty well cleaned, but it does take care of any grime from handling and shipping. It's definitely not a substitute for recommended break-in though. As I understand it, the two big benefits of a proper break-in are that the heat cycles help stabilize the various compounds in the belt, and running the belt up and down the clutches scuffs the belt to its intended surface finish.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

I’ve heard of using a dishwasher for cleaning new belts.

Skidoo guys trying for more than 30 miles on the 07-08 800r sleds.

I like a brass brush and hot soapy water in my garage sink.

Then idle warm up the sled at the trail head with an old belt and install the new belt right before the ride.

Get it good and warmed up before hammering it, cool it off Completely on the hill an hour or so in To the day.

 

[deschutes]

The main point of break-in is to form the belt to the clutches, across a couple heat cycles to get everything settled in.

My dishwasher does not have this function.

BTW - Just posted the Gates break-in procedure here: https://www.snowest.com/forum/threads/which-belt-is-everyone-running.451551/page-2#post-4331680

 

[TRS]

The main point of break-in is to form the belt to the clutches, across a couple heat cycles to get everything settled in.

My dishwasher does not have this function.

BTW - Just posted the Gates break-in procedure here: https://www.snowest.com/forum/threads/which-belt-is-everyone-running.451551/page-2#post-4331680

The clutch/belt heat cycles, during break-in, lets the cord adhesive migrate and bond with the surrounding belt material.
Another important point, always run your belts in the same direction.