Cam belts - cautionary tale
 

This is what happens to a cam belt if the engine isn't used reguarily - new belt on the right :o

This is why I smile when I hear folks say " It's only done 2000 miles in the last year... the beltswill be OK for ages yet "
The number I've seen at Nelly's off low mileage bikes that take this shape, and yet mine which had 10K on them in 2 years still roughly kept their original shape.
Change them...you know it makes sense!

So whilst the belt has formed this shape, would it slip from the cogs or snap if it ran or would it loose this shape?

just had mine done and mine were like new when removed, 3 rs old and not many miles but engine turned over regularly.

By the way, if you screw/nail your old cam belts to the fence or side of your shed, there great for storing bean poles!

so were your belts 3yrs old Bob?

More likely to jump the cogs due to the tension being too slack on certain sections (with kevlar belts it is unusual for them to break these days) has the same effect as the belt breaking though - catastropic :o

At 60 quid for a pair of belts, that's not a risk I would take on any of my bikes.

but its not just the belts, its the £200 to fit them!

Not if you have them done at service time anyway......

.....er, assuming you pay to get your servicing done (I do, because I am a mechanical incompetent).