Belt Tension / Rear wheel alignment
#1
09-11-2018, 07:14 PM
Belt Tension / Rear wheel alignment
Hi guys,
Just reinstalled the wheels from from getting some fresh rubber mounted. Not so familiar with the softail models, as I have always ran a touring bike. Our trip out west burned out the tires on my wife’s 09 Heritage, so I put some fresh Avon’s on it.
On a touring bike, the belt has the adjustment cams on the axel that turn at the same time, and the Heritage has the bolts on each side that push it back. I am assuming if I have the same thread count on each side showing, the wheel should be properly aligned, but I want to be sure.
I have the belt tension adjusted to spec, and the bolts at the same depth. Am I good?
Just reinstalled the wheels from from getting some fresh rubber mounted. Not so familiar with the softail models, as I have always ran a touring bike. Our trip out west burned out the tires on my wife’s 09 Heritage, so I put some fresh Avon’s on it.
On a touring bike, the belt has the adjustment cams on the axel that turn at the same time, and the Heritage has the bolts on each side that push it back. I am assuming if I have the same thread count on each side showing, the wheel should be properly aligned, but I want to be sure.
I have the belt tension adjusted to spec, and the bolts at the same depth. Am I good?
#2
09-11-2018, 07:34 PM
Road Captain
#3
09-11-2018, 07:56 PM
I have to agree with Dave. Measure from the center of the pivot arm bolt to the center of the axle nut on both sides. The next time you take that tire off Just count the flats on the bolt when you take it off. And back out the bolt on both sides with the same amount of flats. { aka turns} hope that helps.....swifty
#4
09-11-2018, 09:22 PM
I've been using a digital vernier calliper to ensure both adjustment bolts are in the same position, which is much the same as you counting threads - the first time I bent a long welding rod and measured from the axle to the swingarm pivot.
BTW, since needing to replace my inner primary bearing at 30K miles, I now set the belt a little looser than I previously set it with the HD tensioning tool
BTW, since needing to replace my inner primary bearing at 30K miles, I now set the belt a little looser than I previously set it with the HD tensioning tool
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xwhyz1959 (09-12-2018)
#7
09-12-2018, 11:33 PM
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#8
09-13-2018, 03:00 AM
#9
09-13-2018, 05:27 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
I can't use the swing arm pivots as a reference on my 93FLSTC because the left side exhaust prohibits access so I use the thread count or vernier method. Once I have both sides equal and the
wheel tightened down I put the bike up on the lift , run it in first gear and check that the belt is tracking in the center of the pulley without rubbing or trying to "climb" up on either side.
wheel tightened down I put the bike up on the lift , run it in first gear and check that the belt is tracking in the center of the pulley without rubbing or trying to "climb" up on either side.
Last edited by Hey Man; 09-13-2018 at 05:37 PM.
#10
09-13-2018, 05:33 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
There's an alignment tool available to help with this: https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-Re.../dp/B000GU0P4A