I just removed my rear wheel today and found that the area in the rear wheel pulley, with the teeth, that the belt rides on, which is shiney, but probably not chrome, has some flaking right on the tops of about 10 teeth. These flakes are not large but are about the size of the area on the top of a pencil eraser, actually most are smaller. These flaked out portions are all the same depth through some kind of coating, thicker than paint but not by much.
I'm wondering if the pulley doesn't have any other signs of wear , the teeth are all good except for the flaking. Is this pulley still serviceable?
I'm wondering if these flakes may have an adverse effect on belt life?

 

This is a common issue. As long as the teeth are not mis-shaped You will have no belt wear issues. I ran my last belt over 70,000 miles with more flaking on my rear pulley then what you describe is on yours.

 

The belt looks real good. 70,000 kms so far. I suppose results vary but when should a person expect the belt to need changing?

 

if it ain't broke don't fix it. when it breaks fix it.

 

The flaking is common, as long as the teeth on the belt look fine I wouldn't be concerned

 

I was told once that flaking on the pulley is a natural occurrence since there is heat generated at both ends of the drive belt and its nothing more than say, heat generated flaking of the muffler skin of your lawn mower.