RE: poly-v-belt

["Dave Blumgart" <DBLUMGART@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just got a '99 1100S with around 11,500 miles.  But given its age, and
the consquences of belt failure, would you replace the P-V belt,
irrespective of the low mileage?



- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Tpcutter@xxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 11:12 PM
To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: poly-v-belt

In a message dated 10/19/05 8:48:37 PM Eastern  Standard Time, 
wateredg@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
BMW recommends that you replace  the belt at 60,000 km, according to my 
R1100S manual (it may be different  for your bike). I have heard from
Big 
List members they fail before  that.  As a result, I have created an
entry in 
my Service Log to remind  me to change the Poly-V belt at 40,000 km, 2/3
of 
the expected life-cycle,  just as a precaution. My service log
automatically 
reminds me to do the  required work when I cross a date or mileage  
boundary.>>

Be aware that there are TWO  different belt and pulley systems in use.
The 
early one is the "Poly-V belt."  The later type is the "Elast" belt,
which uses 
different "freewheel" pulleys.  The belts are NOT interchangeable. 

BMW recommends NOT  retensioning either type of belt at any interval,
they 
suggest to install and  properly tension the belt, then leave it
undisturbed 
until the recommended  replacement interval is reached. This is a change
from the 
early recommendation  to retension the belt at regular service
intervals.
Tom Cutter
Yardley,  PA
http://www.RubberChickenRacingGarage.com  

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