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Author Topic: Drive Belt Adjustment  (Read 13696 times)

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Midnight Rider

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Drive Belt Adjustment
« on: April 17, 2007, 02:56:21 PM »

I'm about to put wheels on my scoot, so will have to completely adjust the drive belt from scratch.  The service manual, of course, calls for a special HD tool to put 10 ft lbs of pressure on the middle portion of the belt to adjust proper tension.  I know some of you guys adjust your belt without this tool, which probably cost a hunnert dollars like every other HD part, so how do you determine proper belt tension without this? 

I'm not sure my finger is properly calibrated to measure 10 ft lbs if I press up on the belt... ;)
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Chief

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2007, 03:53:45 PM »

I'm about to put wheels on my scoot, so will have to completely adjust the drive belt from scratch.  The service manual, of course, calls for a special HD tool to put 10 ft lbs of pressure on the middle portion of the belt to adjust proper tension.  I know some of you guys adjust your belt without this tool, which probably cost a hunnert dollars like every other HD part, so how do you determine proper belt tension without this? 

I'm not sure my finger is properly calibrated to measure 10 ft lbs if I press up on the belt... ;)

I've got a kind of geeky way of doing it, but it works great. I use a postal scale with a support on it. With the bike being supported on a scissor jack, I slowly lower the jack until the scale reads 10#. I then check how much the belt is deflected from the un-loaded state.

Kind of goofy I know, but I don't have the tool. I don't think it is very expensive tho.
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Hoist!

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2007, 03:58:08 PM »

I'm about to put wheels on my scoot, so will have to completely adjust the drive belt from scratch.  The service manual, of course, calls for a special HD tool to put 10 ft lbs of pressure on the middle portion of the belt to adjust proper tension.  I know some of you guys adjust your belt without this tool, which probably cost a hunnert dollars like every other HD part, so how do you determine proper belt tension without this? 

I'm not sure my finger is properly calibrated to measure 10 ft lbs if I press up on the belt... ;)

Terry pick up the tool. It's only $24.95 list. P/N 40006-85. Then you'll have one. Hoist! 8)
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Boatman

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2007, 03:59:32 PM »

The belt tensioner gauge is around $25 and I have one.  To me, the belt is too tight with this 10#'s pressure.  Before I had the gauge, I felt the tension of the belt and it felt ok to me.  Before I loosened the axle nut I marked each cam at the "boss" on the swing arm on each side at 2 spots (upper and lower side of the boss).  When putting back together  I just got the cam(s) with the 2 marks matched up with the 1/4" swing arm boss and put back together.  I would rather have too loose than too tight as the belt tightens as the belt warms up.  Hope this makes some sense.  
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SPIDERMAN

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2007, 04:16:41 PM »

I've always subscribed to the theory that the best way to adjust the belt is something approximating riding conditions. As such, my method requires the help of a friend. Losen the axle nuts and get yourself the right size socket and breaker bar for the cam nut side. With YOU sitting on the bike, have your friend turn the cam till you've got between 5/8" and 3/4" up and down play on the section of the belt closest to the ground ( yeah yeah I know, but I've seen people adjust the top ) . Tighten the nuts and you're good to go.

B B
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Gettinold

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2007, 07:17:01 PM »

NEW WHEELS HUH TERRY.  :worthless:   ;D
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hd-dude

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2007, 07:23:21 PM »

Get the tensioner!!

another IMPORTANT point is to check the tension in several spots, find the tightest point and adjust there.

Gettinold

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2007, 07:29:49 PM »

Get the tensioner!!

another IMPORTANT point is to check the tension in several spots, find the tightest point and adjust there.

HDDUDE
DONT YOU CHECK IT AT THE CUT-OUT IN THE LOWER BELT GAURD ( STOCK )  :nixweiss:
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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2007, 08:35:39 PM »

You do it at the hole in the belt guard but you rotate the tire and belt and find the tightest point and adjust from there.
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mr_magoo

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2007, 08:54:01 PM »

The manual gives a deflection amount thats uses the gauge on the belt guard.
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hd-dude

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2007, 10:27:08 PM »

HDDUDE
DONT YOU CHECK IT AT THE CUT-OUT IN THE LOWER BELT GAURD ( STOCK )  :nixweiss:

Yep, As others aready said, just rotate the tire around,.....

Puzzled

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2007, 10:33:05 PM »

My manual says to have 5/16 to 3/8 of deflection with the bike on the ground and the rider on the bike.
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streetglider96

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2014, 12:02:32 PM »

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timo482

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2014, 12:38:50 PM »

on a 07 bagger for certain - other models will differ - if the belt is a tiny bit too loose - the belt will grind away at the main harness till the bike won't run..... >:(

ask me how i know

to
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dlaws01

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Re: Drive Belt Adjustment
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2014, 01:30:25 PM »

The drive belt adjusting gauge is $20 on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009D398CQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A little behind the times there aren't ya?  They were talking about this in 2007.  He's probably got it fixed by now.   :drink:
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