The last couple times I was out riding my ’02 700 Twin, I could hear what sounded like rocks bouncing around and hitting the inside of my fender. A few times I noticed I would temporarily lose a bit of power, so I would shut my bike off, wait 10-15 min, and she would always fire back up fine.
Well yesterday I was not so lucky – halfway up a semi-steep climb (steep enough to take notice anyway), i started to lose power, and eventually she quit on me….this was VERY shortly after I could hear ‘rocks bouncing around in my fender’. I was able to steer the bike off the trail rolling backwards, but I couldn’t get the bike to start…it was very clear that something wasn’t ‘turning’, and that it was likely the drive belt.
So, I get it towed home, take off the clutch cover to check the belt…and….VOILA!! [see photos]
My local polaris dealer has the belt in stock [$89] and I plan on changing it tonight, but is there anything special i need to know in terms of alignment? Should I be changing any washers? I don’t have the alignment tool and would love to avoid buying it for, what i hope, is the only time i’m ever going to change this belt? The cover seal looks like it’s in great shape and there was actually no sign of water in there (i’ve never swamped ‘er, but can’t speak for the previous owner)…actually everything, except the belt, looked like it was in a like new condition.
The last couple times I was out riding my ’02 700 Twin, I could hear what sounded like rocks bouncing around and hitting the inside of my fender. A few times I noticed I would temporarily lose a bit of power, so I would shut my bike off, wait 10-15 min, and she would always fire back up fine.
Well yesterday I was not so lucky – halfway up a semi-steep climb (steep enough to take notice anyway), i started to lose power, and eventually she quit on me….this was VERY shortly after I could hear ‘rocks bouncing around in my fender’. I was able to steer the bike off the trail rolling backwards, but I couldn’t get the bike to start…it was very clear that something wasn’t ‘turning’, and that it was likely the drive belt.
So, I get it towed home, take off the clutch cover to check the belt…and….VOILA!! [see photos]
My local polaris dealer has the belt in stock [$89] and I plan on changing it tonight, but is there anything special i need to know in terms of alignment? Should I be changing any washers? I don’t have the alignment tool and would love to avoid buying it for, what i hope, is the only time i’m ever going to change this belt? The cover seal looks like it’s in great shape and there was actually no sign of water in there (i’ve never swamped ‘er, but can’t speak for the previous owner)…actually everything, except the belt, looked like it was in a like new condition.
