length of drive belt

I trying to find out the outside length of the drive belt. I measured the width according to manual and I get 20mm not 27mm as specified. I'm wondering if I have the right belt. The bike takes off and cruises beautifully.

I just realized that my brain sometimes doesn't realize that I goofed. I measured the width of the right side of belt and found it around 27mm. i think my wife might have committed.

Measuring the length of a belt is best done with the belt off the scooter and rolling it along a flat surface. See the Youtube video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7oGuQLrGzs

Measuring the width is really impossible to measure with only a micrometer or caliper. It just so happens that forum member Dimond did a nice pictorial with instructions on the forum. Find it here:
https://www.silverwing600.com/t4962-technique-for-measuring-drive-belt-wear

Another member, The Bern (mistakenly noted as "Guest"), in the same Topic as Dimond's made a similar, but much easier to understand, plexiglass tool. Scroll down a bit further to see his post and illustration.

The point of both tools is to measure the belt width at the wear point, not the top surface or the top to bottom thickness. It is not an easy measurement to take without the proper "tools",

Tim

AldusFran wrote:

I just realized that my brain sometimes doesn't realize that I goofed. I measured the width of the right side of belt and found it around 27mm. i think my wife might have committed.

If the wife doesn't understand by now................it's too late. :lol!:

Based on Rubber Band drive scooters, nine of them new, since 1990 and now near 400,000 miles on them-----I see no need to measure belt, or even take a look-----just ride. I have broken only one belt (Helix) belt was near end of Honda declared life.

For SilverWing I use 20,000 mile belt life and then change with OEM belt----all this assuming, the 20,000 miles are put on in a 6-8 month period. For older bikes, if in doubt replace for peace of mind.

Carry spare---I use take off belt for this purpose. Dealer will not have them.

By keeping new/serviceable belt on-----I hope to avoid roadside breakdown caused by belt breakage....stuff broken on trip can end up costing a lot of money in the end.

Safety factor----broken belt can get you run down in heavy/busy traffic.

I don't think there is much history of SilverWing belt breakage---probably as they don't seem to be ridden that much.

Thanks everybody for all the info. Great site!

I could be wrong but I think if the drive belt were to stretch .015-.020 of an inch in length you would not notice any difference.
If it were to wear that much in width you would notice a big difference in top speed. It is the width that is important. Howard