Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[16HD117]

I was cleaning the bike this weekend and noticed that the drive belt was extremely loose.  This is the third time it's happend since having the rear tire changed at 21K.  I have 33k now. 

Haven't taken it back to the dealer yet.  Wanted to get some advise here first. 

The first time that I found it loose I thought that the dealer just didn't adjust it properly when they replaced the tire.  Second time it was so loose that the belt would slip on hard acceleration.  After adjusting it the second time the dealer assured me that it was adjusted properly and axle nut torqued to specs.  They also said that nothing was bent, stretched, missing, etc.

Anyone else ever had this problem?

    

[Twolanerider]

I was cleaning the bike this weekend and noticed that the drive belt was extremely loose.  This is the third time it's happend since having the rear tire changed at 21K.  I have 33k now. 

Haven't taken it back to the dealer yet.  Wanted to get some advise here first. 

The first time that I found it loose I thought that the dealer just didn't adjust it properly when they replaced the tire.  Second time it was so loose that the belt would slip on hard acceleration.  After adjusting it the second time the dealer assured me that it was adjusted properly and axle nut torqued to specs.  They also said that nothing was bent, stretched, missing, etc.

Anyone else ever had this problem?

    

With the exception of bikes with chromed swingarms have never had one simply slip without some other factor also being in play.

[VANAMAL]

i have- the secret is to make sure that you hold the axle nut while tightening the other side. it wants to move when you finally cinch it down. easy w/2 people

[16HD117]

i have- the secret is to make sure that you hold the axle nut while tightening the other side. it wants to move when you finally cinch it down. easy w/2 people

Thanks!
 

[LarryB]

if you don't secure the left side while tightening the right it will loosen.
 i use a large crescent wrench and lock it in place while torquing

[SneakyPete]

if you don't secure the left side while tightening the right it will loosen.
 i use a large crescent wrench and lock it in place while torquing

Ditto, I use a socket and breaker bar to maintain cam adjustment on the left side, then a socket on a torque wrench (100 ft lbs) to tighten the right side.  Never had an issue.  Dealer tech is being lazy, JMHO.

[sadunbar]

Ditto, I use a socket and breaker bar to maintain cam adjustment on the left side, then a socket on a torque wrench (100 ft lbs) to tighten the right side.  Never had an issue.  Dealer tech is being lazy, JMHO.

I do the same.  I have scribed a line on the cam adjustment/swing arm so I know if it has moved or not - and hold it in place with a socket and breaker bar - and use a second torque wrench and socket to torque the right side.  Never had an issue.

[DICKW]

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't the tension on the belt different hot and cold???

Should be loose when cold and tight when hot......   

I thought mine was loose and after riding it, she snugged up quite a bit.

[Sklywag]

Make sure the cam adjusters are properly installes so the wheel can't slip forward.  I just corrected this on a friends SG.  The dealer had not reinstalled the cams adjusters correctly.

[16HD117]

Well the dealer ended up replacing the axle, adjuster washer and nut.  So far, so good.  I'll know for sure if it's fixed in about 1000 miles!

[x52gnr]

I had this same problem and it drove me crazy, Turned out I had gotten grease on the backs of the cams when reinstalling the axle. It was allowing the cams to slowly rotate forward and loosen the belt. I cleaned them off good, put some red loc-tite on the back of the cams and retourqued them...all is good now