I have a couple of questions I hope someone can answer. I have been recently experiencing some belt slip. I have done a few things to my ATV in the same time frame. First off the belt has never been changed, 1750 miles on the original belt. I put on new 25" Mud Lite XL tires, same size as the original tires, but much more aggressive. I have also put on an EPI Clutch kit. It all started when I put the clutch kit on. I was setting the spring at different setting and then riding without the cover on in the snow and climbing a snow hill repeatedly after each adjustment. I know that snow sprayed directly onto the clutch from the tires and started to slip. Ever since then, a month or two later I have been getting belt slip. Did I glaze the belt when it was wet and slipping? I know the belt is old and should probably be changed but I was wondering if there may be other issues?

 

You are right - it is the belt issue.
More precisely too much deflection due to the wear on the belt. More aggressive treaded tires and stronger clutch spring would cause accelerated wear and tear on your belt and converter sheaves. Snow/water inside CVT makes it worse. Either you have to adjust the belt deflection or, better yet, replace your belt. At the same time, inspect the sheave surface for any uneven wear. You've got your $$ from 1750 miles.

 

Just to clear thing up the new tires and clutch kit have only been on for about 30 miles of the 1750 miles. Are you saying the previous 1700 mile of wear is more noticable with the new mods?

 

Yes, your belt was most likely near the end of its usable life span and you just shortened it. It's very much like drag racing a manual trans car with worn out clutch plates - going forward barely or not at all when trying to take off with lots of initial rpm. I've seen some guys with 4000 miles on a single belt and others with only 100 miles. Clutch spring, tires, the way you ride, contamination inside the CVT housing, etc... several factors contribute to the life span of the belt.