Maybe this could have gone into the DIY forum...

Anyway, I decided to check the rear belt tension on the 'Slim today.

Got it up on blocks, printed off the relevant page of the manual and checked the 'wheel off the ground' measurement.
I've got a Fenner belt checking tool, with the Kg scale.

All set.

But there's no 'scale' on the back belt guard, and holding a ruler steady behind the belt while using the tension tool would have been pretty awkward.

So I came up with this no-tech idea, broke out the colouring pencils & nicked a peg from the clothes-line.

See the pic.

It could be that was so obvious that pretty much everyone would have come up with a similar idea.

But, just in case...

Andy
'95 XLH883
'13 Slim
Hampshire
England

 

I just use a belt tension gauge that cost less then $15 and it takes 10 seconds to check tension.

 

congrats on the ingenuity when not having a belt tension gauge. if i dont have the proper tool, i check the tool box for something i can use to get the same results in a pinch.

 

Gents,

the plunger/deflection tool I have. Putting 4.5 Kg of force against the belt is not a problem.

It's checking the amount/distance of belt deflection (with no scale on the belt guard) that was the hold-up.

Andy
'95 XLH883
'13 Slim
Hampshire
England

 

On my 99 Softail Custom it shows to do it in the top strand. 3/8" to 1/2" with 10 pounds of upward pressure at halfway between the pulleys. I just twist mine and if it goes to 45 deg. it is good.

 

i havent really had an issue using the tension gauge and ruler together but i like your idea....seems it would be easier and you can make marks for jiffy stand measurements AND wheel in air measurements.

thanks :-)

 

I checked my belt and it showed I was definitely not slim.