for those who feel like they have to drill holes in sleds.....check this out

[spring snow hero]

I was having a talk with one of the guys in our group who had a ported belt guard. I told him that I would not be caught dead with such a deal after seeing a belt go. well, later the same day this happened.....had it been ported it could have been ugly. the belt hit the footwell hard enough to shear 3 rivets and dent the footwell out 3" or better. the belt cover was blown off, and stretched. the retaining clip was wasted, the average size of chunks was less then 1" square and a few hit my legs.....good thing for shin guards

I just wanted to make a note for those that have never seen catostrophic belt failure and its effects. I would be out a hood and maybe a face if it had not been for the cover being whole. please keep this in mind, if you feel like saving 3 grams, shorten your tank vent or leave a lighbulb at home, but don't skimp on the guards......it might cost you a leg some day.

 

[Dam Dave]

good posting

 

[theultrarider]

I totally agree. I have blown enough belts that I won't do it. I too have blown 2 violently enough to have to replace the footwell and the cltch guard itself as it was so mangled it was useless after having done it's job! Now, with all the crank failures, I can't imagine having a primardy snap off at 8000 with a weaked clutch guard. That has only happened to me once. Vents in tub, ok, holes in the guards

 

[Blu Du]

does he have a chunk missing out of his clutch

 

[spring snow hero]

does he have a chunk missing out of his clutch

the clutch is relieved to put a socket on it......good eye though

 

[Clarke673]

Im not too worried about the belt hurting me. How are the chunks going to go through the hood? My belt guard is there to keep powder/water from getting on my clutches. If you are going to drill holes why not just remove it?

I have only ever blown one belt and i change them as soon as one shows damage. Checking belts is part of proper maintenance. Who cares about a welt from a piece of belt getting thrown through a vent? Breaking a belt could mean a broken crank.

 

[spring snow hero]

Im not too worried about the belt hurting me. How are the chunks going to go through the hood? My belt guard is there to keep powder/water from getting on my clutches. If you are going to drill holes why not just remove it?

I have only ever blown one belt and i change them as soon as one shows damage. Checking belts is part of proper maintenance. Who cares about a welt from a piece of belt getting thrown through a vent? Breaking a belt could mean a broken crank.

keeping powder and water off is the job of your hood.

that belt came off with so much force it would have taken your chin and pushed it through the vent on the back of your helmet.

you snap someone with a towel as hard as you can....it might leave a welt. now, how hard does a 20gram piece of belt have to hit a riveted and reinforced piece of 1/8" aluminum to bend it up like a pop can?.....I will answer that for you..............reallllllllllly hard.

the belt was less then 200 miles old and in good shape. I R&Red my secondary and cheaped out by not taking the time to measure it afterwards.....I just replaced the shims and took off. obviously something moved.

 

[Ex-Member]

Yep, don't skimp out on safety equipment. I don't factor that into the weight thing, and it's only marginally factored into cost.

Shields, interlock switches, covers.... they're all there for a reason.

 

[Ragged]

 

[dan8485]

You think a broken belt is bad....... One of my best friends is blind in one eye from a clutch coming apart. Doctor told him he is lucky to be alive as the chacks aluminum stopped just short of his brain!!!

If anything we should be putting heavier guards on........ No matter how well you have your sled set up there is still defects in manufacturing that can result in failure and that guard could stop them.

DW

 

[CDA_RMK]

wow good thing it did not hit ya

 

[theultrarider]

Try racing any form of sled racing other than "stock class" without a full enclosed clutch guard and reinforced tub....Ain't gonna happen and there is a reason for it. I have blown belts hard enough to shatter my voltage regualtor completely off of my sled! I ws only the belt that hit it....

 

[TNTCOPP]

I know of drilling them ( the guards ) to help heat escape faster - who is drilling them to save weight ??? never heard that one.

 

[spring snow hero]

I know of drilling them ( the guards ) to help heat escape faster - who is drilling them to save weight ??? never heard that one.

my whole entire point is that there is beyond tremendous force emitted by the belt. if the guard is not there, be to save weight or vent heat or because britney spears told you not to, it cold end up costing you a lot more then a belt.......more like a limb, eye, or life......or worse yet someone elses.

 

[kas]

now im scared. as if theres not enough things to watch out for when snowmobiling
grrr one more worry ha
oh well if i get hurt at least im doing something i enjoy

 

[SHMO]

I have also seen/heard/felt several belts grenade like that. Once you experience it you will know the force thats involved.

Here's an even scarier one for you. I have seen a primary clutch come apart on a high reving mod motor and had METAL parts go through the belt guard, the bellypan..AND the hood!




SHMO

 

[Ollie]

You should tell your buddy he can save a lot more weight by just porting the block. Save a few pounds that way.
Makes as much sence as porting the belt cover.

 

[TNTCOPP]

ya ya I heard that the first time you stated it ........ just was wondering who would think they were saving a bunch of weight by drilling a few holes in aluminum guard- that was my only point.

my whole entire point is that there is beyond tremendous force emitted by the belt. if the guard is not there, be to save weight or vent heat or because britney spears told you not to, it cold end up costing you a lot more then a belt.......more like a limb, eye, or life......or worse yet someone elses.

 

[hatchers]

regular maintenance will prevent this from happening.....i bet good money this belt was showing thread for awhile

 

[shortstop20]

Im not too worried about the belt hurting me. How are the chunks going to go through the hood? My belt guard is there to keep powder/water from getting on my clutches. If you are going to drill holes why not just remove it?

I have only ever blown one belt and i change them as soon as one shows damage. Checking belts is part of proper maintenance. Who cares about a welt from a piece of belt getting thrown through a vent? Breaking a belt could mean a broken crank.

You don't think a belt can go through a hood? You obviously have never seen pictures of it happen. Your belt gaurd is there to protect you more than it is to keep powder/water from getting on the clutches. Sometimes stuff happens and belts will still blow.