Dayco Belts?

You probably won’t find a definitive answer, but they’re a known belt manufacturer in the motor vehicle industry. I’d use them without hesitation, when are they last changed is probably a more pressi
ng question.

I have a set of exact start cables for a 1100 tard, if you’re interested.

 

I’m in Northern Ireland until Month end so can’t do anything until then ref the cables.

 

As far as I can find, it would appear Dayco uses a fibreglass core that is vulcanised and Gates use HNBR elastomeric composites. In my searches, I read one interesting comment from an independent who believed Ducati would offer good will if OE belts let go but not Dayco or CCW (aka Exact). In 2018 following the destruction of a Panigale V4 in the US*, I remember someone saying, Ducati advised all their authorised Dealers not to fit customer supplied parts. I’m not sure that has been implemented here in the UK but it makes sense if liability becomes an issue. Andy
* Investigation of the cause of the fire that destroyed the V4, was attributed to an incorrectly fitted after market fuel cap. The dealer was held responsible and found liable for all restitution costs, not Ducati.

 

I suppose the question has to be asked ‘why is there such a massive price difference?’.

Are some manufacturers taking the P with their pricing?

I was always lead to believe the stresses on a motorcycle cambelt were significantly greater than something that was made originally to be used on a car/van engine; significantly higher engine speeds, smaller pulleys, tighter turns etc.

Personally I’d rather use OE or CCW simply for peace of mind.

 

I’ve no idea for the OEM Ducati I would say it’s about volumes, they won’t be massive purchasers of belts compared with other manufacturers unless they’re buying as VAG as a whole which I doubt. Not sure on Exact as he’ll/they will be a much smaller operation unless they’re buying a belt that fits a car from another supplier.

Dayco make belts across the board possibly not just the motoring industry so maybe they’ll have the volumes as that’s also maybe all they make, hence the price variance.

Surely there is some offset in that the service intervals are far higher on cars and they aren’t opening and closing the valves. I’m not advocating for any particular brand as you pays your money and takes your chances.

I have read if I recall correctly that because the pulleys have failed the belts obviously get taken out. So it’s not always the belt itself.

 

Surely there is some offset in that the service intervals are far higher on cars and they aren’t opening and closing the valves. ..........really?

 

This is the reason for all belt failures these days as far as my research has indicated. I don’t believe belts simply snap these days. However, over tensioning leads to excess strain and too loose tensioning, if really extreme, may lead to a belt coming off or jumping teeth with consequent knock on effects. Iirc @Nasher suffered a shredded belt due to over tensioning and there’s a thread or two about it in here. Which goes to show that’s an issue that would affect all manufacturers belts equal regardless of their construction.

My concern really is the construction of the belt itself. As @Android853sp highlighted above the Dayco and Gates belts are made differently (I don’t know who makes the CCW ones) which raises the question in my mind is the method of construction of each type equally as strong? I have no knowledge in such subject matters but I’d not be surprised to find there’s a scientist/engineer on here who can explain the differences.

As to how frequently belts should be changed well that really is a bigger can of worms than which belt should I use (I know some owners advocate using a belt destined for a Renault or Citroen or something which can be picked up off eBay for under a tenner) but there’s an interesting article here on the subject from Brad The Bike Boy.

http://bradthebikeboy.blogspot.com/2017/02/ducati-timing-belt-failures-and.html

 

I don't know about the bike stuff, but my Transporter Van has them. My mate is a mechanic and has been using them for 10 years on all the cambelt changes he does.

As others have said, it's often not the belt that fails, but something like a tensioner seizing or partially seizing and pulling the belt to a point where it snaps.

 

Read that on an American site but I kinda disregard it as the belt is always travelling in one direction so I don’t see how the active open/close function is a factor.

 

Another belt i haven't heard of is these, they are fitted to my 900ss when i got it last year, also cheaper.
Ducati 900 SS SL Sport Monster ie MH900e 906 907 Paso ST2 944 timing belt kit (Fits: Ducati)