The factory service manual for my 1993 Softail doesn't specify whether to check the drive belt tension with the bike upright and wheel off the ground or on the jiffy stand. Does it matter?
Also, does it matter if I check the belt deflection on the top or bottom strands. FSM says top.

FYI: My factory service manuals for the touring models do specify the position of the bike for a drive belt adjustment.

 

I check mine with it on the ground since that's the way it runs and I check if from the top but that shouldn't matter

 

I do mine on the ground and with a load. Not sure what the manual says, but that makes the most sense to me.

 

This this is from my 97 Softail manual, I don't think it's going to differ from yours and yes the bike has to be upright for the rider to be on it.. I do however check it from the bottom and I set my play to a quarter inch only because of the motor and tranny upgrades.. never an issue...

 

It actually does differ.

 

I didn't mean the difference in the way it was written in the manual... I meant in the suspensions, there's no difference between yours and mine

 

I've never yet been able to figure out how to sit on my bike AND check the belt tension at the same time.

 

Maybe you can use a Dubmbell....