i have a 99 night train evo softail i dont have a gauge to adjust the belt what is the travel or is there a way to adjust it without one ?

 

About 10 lbs of upward pressure in the middle of the lower belt should deflect the belt no more than about 3/8". Close enough. (I've never owned a belt gauge and my first belt lasted 119,600 miles, so that method certainly works for me.)

 

is that with a riders load ?

 

the belt should only have 3/8" travel at the center bottom of belt correct?

 

Yes that's about right (with the rider on board, just reach down.)

 

Check it with the bike on the side stand and no rider. Push firmly up on the belt with your finger. That will approximate 10 lbs. Another method preferred by many people is to grab the middle of the belt with two fingers and twist it. If you can twist it 45 degrees before it gets tight it is just about right. If you cannot twist it 45 degrees it is too tight. More than 45 degrees it is too loose. I use both methods as a double check. Only takes a minute to check. If you need to adjust it be aware that it takes very little adjustment. About a half flat on the bolt heads.

 

Rear Belt Drive Adjustment
Performance and Technical information on the rear belt drive for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Belt Drive Adjustment for Big Twins

Set belt tension a the tightest rotational point on the sprockets. The adjustments should be done when the bike is cold. The adjustments should be made with the weight of a rider on the bike. 1. At the lower strand, position "A", mid-way between transmission sprocket and rear wheel sprocket, apply 10 Ibs. of upward force on lower span of rear belt. Harley-Davidson has a BELT TENSION GAUGE (Part No. HD-35381) to help.
2. Measure belt deflection "B" several times, each time with belt moved (by rotating rear wheel) to a different position on sprockets. With sprockets rotated to tightest belt posi-tion, belt deflection "B" (measured at position "A") should be 5/16-3/8 in.


(copied off nightrider.com. I believe the the earlier bikes ('99 Softail,) recommended the weight of the rider added on when adjusting the belt.)

 

So how much twisting torque should ya use when twisting the belt? Bubba the gorrila fingers should have no problem twisting the belt a couple rotations while Sherman the key board commando has trouble twisting the same belt 10 degrees from flat. You noted to twist it until it gets tight. What is the definition of tight?
This is why they make the calibrated tool to do this adjustment.

 

Magilla gorilla or your wife both will get it to about the same 45*. At that point the belt simply stops twisting. Give it a try.

The definition of tight is At the lower strand, position "A", mid-way between transmission sprocket and rear wheel sprocket, apply 10 Ibs. of upward force on lower span of rear belt.

(Seems clear to me.)

 

lol thanks for your guys help. Stiggy i did it the way the info you suplied me said and then checked it the 45* way and if someone was half smart that way is correct just cant be stuppid about it and when i check it pushing up i just feels like its right