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[barkleydog]

I know I should probably put this somewhere else, but I am hoping this will be seen sooner as I have my bike on the lift and it is getting HOTTER by the minute in my garage.

Ok last week I had a Harley dealer replace my rear tire, it was on a Sunday morning, and took over four hours. BTW they operate on a first come first served basis, and I was the first in line. Anyway when they were done the adviser said it took extra long cause a clamp screw on my muffler was stripped and the tech could not remove the muff. Right then and there I should have stopped and checked everything, but no I just wanted to get out and ride as I had friends waiting with me.

Skip to this morning I was out to install the new Prog. 440 suspension, and noticed that the drive belt has about a one inch give, maybe more with extra effort. My question is, should I try to correct it, call the dealer and -itch or just wait til later to see what happens.  The reason I had the tire installed at the dealer is I did not want to screw with getting the alignment out of whack. I have never removed a rear wheel, would it be too much for a used car salesman to attempt and not mess up the align. I have read all the stuff on how to and have a service manual, but that is just one job I have always left to the the shop.

So what do you think?

Thanks

David

[Chief]

I know I should probably put this somewhere else, but I am hoping this will be seen sooner as I have my bike on the lift and it is getting HOTTER by the minute in my garage.

Ok last week I had a Harley dealer replace my rear tire, it was on a Sunday morning, and took over four hours. BTW they operate on a first come first served basis, and I was the first in line. Anyway when they were done the adviser said it took extra long cause a clamp screw on my muffler was stripped and the tech could not remove the muff. Right then and there I should have stopped and checked everything, but no I just wanted to get out and ride as I had friends waiting with me.

Skip to this morning I was out to install the new Prog. 440 suspension, and noticed that the drive belt has about a one inch give, maybe more with extra effort. My question is, should I try to correct it, call the dealer and -itch or just wait til later to see what happens.  The reason I had the tire installed at the dealer is I did not want to screw with getting the alignment out of whack. I have never removed a rear wheel, would it be too much for a used car salesman to attempt and not mess up the align. I have read all the stuff on how to and have a service manual, but that is just one job I have always left to the the shop.

So what do you think?

Thanks

David

David,

The service manual has good instructions. If you have the necessary tools, read big a$$ socket, take your time and it isn't that difficult. It's so easy even a used car salesman can do it.

Good luck

[hd-dude]

The belt needs about 5/8 -7/8 deflection in the tightest point (you need to rotate the tire to find the tight spot)with 10 pounds pressure applied to it. If you can move it by hand 1" then I would think that you're ok but you really need the belt tension guage to properly check this.

[barkleydog]

Thanks Chief I got the big a$$ socket, Just something I have not wanted to do.

Dude You know it has quite a bit more play than it has had in the past, maybe it has been too tight all along. I will go back out and measure more carefully, hopefully I won't have to adjust it.  Because I can hardly wait to see how much better the 440's are, when I unscrewed the air hose on the stock units no air escaped and as you know it was just seviced so I guess they were leaking...

Thanks

[Chief]

Thanks Chief I got the big a$$ socket, Just something I have not wanted to do.

Dude You know it has quite a bit more play than it has had in the past, maybe it has been too tight all along. I will go back out and measure more carefully, hopefully I won't have to adjust it.  Because I can hardly wait to see how much better the 440's are, when I unscrewed the air hose on the stock units no air escaped and as you know it was just seviced so I guess they were leaking...

Thanks

I'm sure you'll do fine. 

[grc]

I know I should probably put this somewhere else, but I am hoping this will be seen sooner as I have my bike on the lift and it is getting HOTTER by the minute in my garage.

Ok last week I had a Harley dealer replace my rear tire, it was on a Sunday morning, and took over four hours. BTW they operate on a first come first served basis, and I was the first in line. Anyway when they were done the adviser said it took extra long cause a clamp screw on my muffler was stripped and the tech could not remove the muff. Right then and there I should have stopped and checked everything, but no I just wanted to get out and ride as I had friends waiting with me.

Skip to this morning I was out to install the new Prog. 440 suspension, and noticed that the drive belt has about a one inch give, maybe more with extra effort. My question is, should I try to correct it, call the dealer and -itch or just wait til later to see what happens.  The reason I had the tire installed at the dealer is I did not want to screw with getting the alignment out of whack. I have never removed a rear wheel, would it be too much for a used car salesman to attempt and not mess up the align. I have read all the stuff on how to and have a service manual, but that is just one job I have always left to the the shop.

So what do you think?

Thanks

David

David,

Three suggestions:

1.  Go ahead and fix it yourself as long as you have the correct tools and the tension gauge.  DO NOT JUST WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS - it's quite possible the "tech" didn't get the axle nut tight.  Use a torque wrench.

2.  Call the dealer and let them know about the issue.  If they don't know about the problem, they can't take corrective action with the tech.

3.  Fix the muffler clamp problem so you can easily remove and reinstall the mufflers in the future.

Jerry

[dartman]

One of these will make belt adjustment a 10 min job
Kastar 9636 - Harley-Davidson® Rear Axle 36mm Nut Ratchet Wrench: $42.00
Quantity:      Check out now

• This reversible ratcheting wrench is used to remove and install the rear axle nut on Harley-Davidson® FL Touring® models with 36mm axle nuts.
• This extra long wrench contains a 1/2" square drive for a torque wrench. Insert torque wrench at a 90° angle for proper torque reading.
• A custom 36mm double hexagon Torque Grip® wheel allows access to reach the application without the removal of exhaust.
• Loosening and tightening of this nut is a necessary procedure when tightening a drive belt or changing a rear tire.
• Vinyl grip provides a comfortable ergonomic grip and prevents the wrench from scratching or marring the bike