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Post by keltex78 on Feb 28, 2014 9:51:24 GMT -5
When I ordered my replacement belt last week, I wasn't aware that there were counterfeit belts. Now, I've received the new belt and am curious if this one will leave me stranded again... I purchased this Gates Powerlink belt: www.ebay.com/itm/300889885947/via seller excaliburmotorsports. What puzzled me when I opened the belt, I noted that the edge that rides against the pully faces had a peculiar sheen. I've attempted to photograph this, but it is difficult to get the same effect through a camera. Looking even closer, the belt appears to be made out of a porous foam-like material. Seeing this, I begain reading online and found several threads on the old scoot-dawg site referencing counterfeit Gates belts. Now, I am concerned due to several points. Differences in Trademark markings on the belt, general appearance of side face on belt, and lack of a carboard sleeve (Mine was shipped bare in a plastic bag) on the belt I received... Is this genuine or a fake?      |
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Post by UniqueSP on Feb 28, 2014 14:05:51 GMT -5
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Post by fugaziiv on Feb 28, 2014 14:25:48 GMT -5
ScooterElements makes a good point here. Gates also has some newer red and white packaging that looks like this: www.partsforscooters.com/Belt_743-20-30_premium_GY6Just some additional food for thought. Every Gates belt that we get from Gates USA comes with a Gates specific belt sleeve. It's harder to tell with Bando, as they don't have packaging. Matt |
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Post by keltex78 on Feb 28, 2014 16:38:29 GMT -5
Doesn't make me feel very confident since mine came in a plastic zip-lock bag and no Gates sleeve. >:-(
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Post by spandi on Feb 28, 2014 19:02:59 GMT -5
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Post by keltex78 on Feb 28, 2014 19:13:35 GMT -5
Hmmm... I already have the 110v Harbor Freight impact... The 12v is $25... and I have a coupon for 25% off... :-D Although I can swap a belt without pulling the variator by compressing the clutch spring and letting the belt hold it... I've done that a couple of times now. |
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Post by spandi on Feb 28, 2014 19:19:28 GMT -5
Well at least carry a spare REAL Gates bet. I can't replace the belt on mine by hand, however the Harbor Freight's 12volt impact wrench can surprisingly spin out any stubborn stuck nuts in the blinking of an eye.
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Post by JerryScript on Mar 1, 2014 0:02:57 GMT -5
I'm surprised to hear you can change a belt without removing the variator on a 250cc. On my 50cc short case, I have to get the belt way down in the clutch just to get the belt over the variator drive shaft, there is no way to get it over the variator itself. Because of that, the Harbor Freight 12v impact wrench is probably the best tool purchase I've made for my scooter. It fits under my seat leaving plenty of room for other stuff, including a spare belt. I ride with the peace of mind that I can fix almost anything short of a blown engine or bent part on the side of the road.
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Post by larrball on Mar 1, 2014 0:16:26 GMT -5
I'm surprised to hear you can change a belt without removing the variator on a 250cc. On my 50cc short case, I have to get the belt way down in the clutch just to get the belt over the variator drive shaft, there is no way to get it over the variator itself. Because of that, the Harbor Freight 12v impact wrench is probably the best tool purchase I've made for my scooter. It fits under my seat leaving plenty of room for other stuff, including a spare belt. I ride with the peace of mind that I can fix almost anything short of a blown engine or bent part on the side of the road. Me too on my 50's my contra spring is one tough cookie to compress by hand. Never had a 250 with a CVT thou. One would think it would be almost imposable to remove by hand given the torque the clutch/contra spring needs to let the belt ride all the way down. |
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Post by JerryScript on Mar 1, 2014 0:47:14 GMT -5
Me too on my 50's my contra spring is one tough cookie to compress by hand. Never had a 250 with a CVT thou. One would think it would be almost imposable to remove by hand given the torque the clutch/contra spring needs to let the belt ride all the way down. Every time I take my belt off, I cut the back of my fingers on my right hand because the clutch is so tight up against the sharp edges of the CVT housing. I'm getting better at it though, last time I only got one little scrape on my middle finger! I've thought of making some sort of wedge tool that would work in the area the belt doesn't go, just not sure what would be safe to grab onto from there with enough strength to hold the leverage applied. |
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Post by UniqueSP on Mar 1, 2014 7:32:00 GMT -5
Doesn't make me feel very confident since mine came in a plastic zip-lock bag and no Gates sleeve. >:-( Yes yours is most likely a fake. Always go to a well known dealer such as partsforscooters who distribute gates belts. They got a bunch of different ones in stock. go get yourself two and keep one for a spare. |
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Post by rockynv on Mar 1, 2014 9:43:59 GMT -5
Just remember that once you remover the clutch to do a field repair that you should take it back off when you get home and repack the needle bearings in its hub with fresh grease.
On the Piaggio design bikes you won't be able to remove the CVT cover unless you can remove the clutch nut as the end of the clutch shaft goes through a bearing in the CVT cover to give it additional support making for a much sturdier design lessening the chance that a failing belt will take out the bearings inside the gear case.
On the Piaggio style CVT you don't need the impact wrench as Buzetti has the Variator and Clutch holding tools for less than $50 for the set and they along with the wrench set will take up much less room than a impact wrench. Also the correct holding tools will allow you to set the clutch and variator with the correct tourque when you get home.
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Post by keltex78 on Mar 1, 2014 9:45:46 GMT -5
Doesn't make me feel very confident since mine came in a plastic zip-lock bag and no Gates sleeve. >:-( Yes yours is most likely a fake. Always go to a well known dealer such as partsforscooters who distribute gates belts. They got a bunch of different ones in stock. go get yourself two and keep one for a spare. I'm already a big PartsForScooters fan due to their fast turnaround and great customer service. Unfortunately, they don't sell the Gates belt for my scooter yet. I've talked to fugaziiv here on the board in my other thread about my recent belt failure and have been told they will be stocking either Gates or Bando belts soon... Looking forward to their getting it in stock. I just never thought belts would be a commodity worth counterfeiting. |
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Post by rockynv on Mar 1, 2014 9:55:02 GMT -5
Yes yours is most likely a fake. Always go to a well known dealer such as partsforscooters who distribute gates belts. They got a bunch of different ones in stock. go get yourself two and keep one for a spare. I'm already a big PartsForScooters fan due to their fast turnaround and great customer service. Unfortunately, they don't sell the Gates belt for my scooter yet. I've talked to fugaziiv here on the board in my other thread about my recent belt failure and have been told they will be stocking either Gates or Bando belts soon... Looking forward to their getting it in stock. I just never thought belts would be a commodity worth counterfeiting. Some of the belts from OEM cost over $100 so faking the Gates equivalents are big business globally. |
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Post by tomcat on Mar 1, 2014 11:13:56 GMT -5
From what I've read here, the OP purchased this belt www.ebay.com/itm/300889885947/ , which is apparently fake. Dealer is in California. I realize that China has no copyright laws so everything is fair game. But how does a dealer in the US get away with openly selling fake products? It would be like me importing counterfeit dvd's, clothes, shoes, handbags etc from China and selling them here. The authorities would be all over me in a heartbeat. |
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