Drive Belt Adjustment Question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,091
Likes: 7,610
From: Poolville
Honestly I've never heard of a belt making noise cuz it was tight.. Only two things that could cause that is if it's loose or if it's out of alignment. If you want to try and get your belt to track a little more towards the center you can tighten the right adjuster two flats after loosening the axle and then tighten it all back down take it for a ride and see how it is.. I know they make measuring tools to go from the pivot to the axle but honestly I don't believe those are that accurate.. adjust it to where the bike feels right.. Now keep in mind I don't have an inch and a half belt on mine I got an inch and an eighth belt so you're going to see a little room on the left but not as much as you would see on yours give it a shot, It's really easy to do see if it makes any difference. One more thing too I know a lot of manuals are different and times have changed... Belts have gotten better..... But you really should set your belt tension to what the bike likes.. It does make a difference..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,358
From: Cental, MI
What can Happen, is the entire swingarm gets offset by the Cleveblocs in the swingarm Not being centered..
Could be yours need attention...or even the rubber mount "donuts"... Maybe...
I hate that Job, so it would need to be pretty serious for me to do it..
I would, on the other hand make an adjustment via the rear wheel spacers... I do That all the time.
Like I have said many times... I do Not believe One Size Fits All... even with wheel spacers...Moving that wheel to the right a Tiny bit is Not that hard to do...Compared to all the other things we could get involved in!!
I'm afraid that if you change the alignment.. instead of the offset.. by using the axle adjusters, you will get the belt tracking one side or the other on your Rear Pulley... centered, means aligned to the front pulley... tracking off to the side on front is generally offset...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,129
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
Softail belt adjustment is the subject.
Set rear axle to equal distance from swing axis pivot on both sides, it will be good to go.
Once you set it using a home made tool or one purchased, you won`t need to check anymore as long as you rotate the adjusters the same amount on each side during adjustment.
Set rear axle to equal distance from swing axis pivot on both sides, it will be good to go.
Once you set it using a home made tool or one purchased, you won`t need to check anymore as long as you rotate the adjusters the same amount on each side during adjustment.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,358
From: Cental, MI
Softail belt adjustment is the subject.
Set rear axle to equal distance from swing axis pivot on both sides, it will be good to go.
Once you set it using a home made tool or one purchased, you won`t need to check anymore as long as you rotate the adjusters the same amount on each side during adjustment.
Set rear axle to equal distance from swing axis pivot on both sides, it will be good to go.
Once you set it using a home made tool or one purchased, you won`t need to check anymore as long as you rotate the adjusters the same amount on each side during adjustment.
Even works with Chains... ie 4-speed etc...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,091
Likes: 7,610
From: Poolville
Not so true on the pivot measurements, when I do that mine's off a little and I can feel it in a turn at 70-75.. It wants to make the bike upright.. I adjust it to where it's all true with straight edges.. That's how I get mine tracking in the center... And true down the road..
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 692
From: magnolia tx
Softail belt adjustment is the subject.
Set rear axle to equal distance from swing axis pivot on both sides, it will be good to go.
Once you set it using a home made tool or one purchased, you won`t need to check anymore as long as you rotate the adjusters the same amount on each side during adjustment.
Set rear axle to equal distance from swing axis pivot on both sides, it will be good to go.
Once you set it using a home made tool or one purchased, you won`t need to check anymore as long as you rotate the adjusters the same amount on each side during adjustment.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,358
From: Cental, MI
yeah I hear ya Dan, Ive already made a tool and adjusted the rear axle, I still have belt noise, I maybe chasing a gremlin, I may just need to replace the belt, when I got the bike it had a small transmission and primary leak that would leak on the belt, I fixed the leaks but trying to save a dime I didnt replaced the belt because it looked pretty new so the belt maybe oil contaminated. I know Im dumb for not changing it but like I said Im old school and always had chain drive.
BTDT... Kinda like heat... takes alot more than we will reasonably produce to hurt a modern belt.
Primary belt in a '74-74" we have here is over 20 years old... in an enclosed environment and a very leaky Trans main seal...No Biggy
Nasty Looking, for Sure... but not in danger of failure either..
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
If you hear a "chirp" on deceleration, the belt is too loose. Right in between the "whine" and the "chirp" is the sweet spot.
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