Originally Posted by
wondermom
...almost like some type of fabric/woven on the outside, and rubber on the inside.
That's how the old type V-belts were made; on my machines V-belts run smoother and less noisy; a 99 and a 201K with a spoked hand wheel in particularly. I keep the belts if they are still soft and inact, but they tend to be crumbling and comming appart. The new ones are nice though, and tend soften up with a bit of use. They don't have quite the same inner cotton weave and natural rubber, but it's a minor difference. It's a relief to get a new belt on, the result is a much nicer and less noisy machine.