Proper way to adjust the drive belt
 

I see in the factory service manual they say to adjust the drive belt with the bike unladen. I also read some say it should be done with the rider sitting on the bike.:confused:

Reason I ask is, I adjusted the belt back in February with the bike unladen after I mounted the new rear tire using a 10 lb gauge to factory specs, 1/4-5/16" deflection. I checked it this morning AFTER riding for about an hour and found it to have about an 1/8" or so of deflection. I searched online and discovered that the belt will tighten up when it heats up, is 1/8" or so of deflection when warm acceptable, or too tight?

Just went to Harley's website and looked at their belt tension gauge. The instructions say to check with a rider on the bike, and the specs are 5/16"-3/8". Now I am confused...

Up to this point I would say what are the qualifications of the people who say you should do something else compared to the service manual.

https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....locale%3Den_US

The revision of this document suggests it was written in 1995. I would use the information in a workshop manual if it is newer.

I plan on continuing to, and have used the specifications shown in the 2017 factory service manual. I did watch a video on YouTube and the difference between an unladen and laden bike was only 1/16" when cold, so it isn't much anyway.

The bike/belt have cooled off and I checked the belt again, the deflection is between 5/16" and 3/8" so apparently it is in spec. Just didn't think the belt would tighten up about 1/4" when warm/hot as it did seem awfully tight. I don't want to cause either the belt, or worse the output shaft bearing to fail.

I have questioned the tightness of the belt on my 2017 bike with the dealer who is satisfied it is set correctly. It does fell very tight at 1/4" to 5/16" deflection with the 10lb push.

I happened to see a sporty the other day without the belt guards fitted and the belt moves up and down quite a long way.

Older Softails are set with rider weight on them. Depends on what is moving to change tension. Set it as it says in your year and model Harley service manual. Use a gage. Set it cold and set it intolerance. A new belt for sure at the upper end of tolerance. It will be fine.

Gages are cheap on Amazon or Ebay.

That must be what I was reading and confusing me then.

I have an old Browne & Sharp belt tension gauge a guy at work gave me that I have been using, but I went ahead and bought a Motion Pro gauge off of Amazon.

I got both the gage and the alignment tool when I had to replace my wheel. I, too, was confused about the belt adjustment but I got it set right. I'm so used to chains!

I hear 'ya, this is the first bike I've ever owned with a belt.

Chains are just SO last Century! Welcome to the brave new world..... :icon_nut:

I always thought it was the pulleys expanding that made the belt tight when warm, is that wrong?