Belt Deflection
Belt Deflection
pulled my rear wheel yesterday and i'm worried i don't have the proper belt deflection after reinstall. i've tried to do this per manual specifications and can't find a happy medium. when i sit on the bike the belt gets looser and vice versa. even without sitting on the bike the belt seems more loose than before i removed it.
the manual says turn the axle tensioners an equal number of turns and that's it? well from what point? there seems to be way more thread on the adjusters sticking out now than before i removed the wheel and the belt seems looser. maybe a dumb question but anyone pull the rear wheel out there on an 08' that can offer any advice?
the manual says turn the axle tensioners an equal number of turns and that's it? well from what point? there seems to be way more thread on the adjusters sticking out now than before i removed the wheel and the belt seems looser. maybe a dumb question but anyone pull the rear wheel out there on an 08' that can offer any advice?
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 73
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picture would help us diagnose the problem you might just need to put more tension on the belt with the adjusters it might look weird to you cuz your gettin nervous that you messed up might just be second guessing yourself
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Trick #1 when you remove the rear wheel:
Mark the 2 tensioner nuts with a felt tip pen.
Loosen the 2 nuts the same number of turns (usually 12 turns will do)
When you reinstall the wheel, re-tighten the 2 nuts the same number of turns.
Trick #2 (it's close enough)
Fill a 1 gallon plastic water/milk jug with water.
Practice lifting the jug with the tip on your middle finger to get a feel for the pressure required to lift it.
Adjust the tensioners on the rear wheel until the same amount of upward finger pressure deflects the belt 1/4 inch. Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary, then recheck belt tension as described above.
If you don't know how to check rear wheel alignment, see the Service Manual. If you don't have a Service Manual,,,,,, Good Luck.
Mark the 2 tensioner nuts with a felt tip pen.
Loosen the 2 nuts the same number of turns (usually 12 turns will do)
When you reinstall the wheel, re-tighten the 2 nuts the same number of turns.
Trick #2 (it's close enough)
Fill a 1 gallon plastic water/milk jug with water.
Practice lifting the jug with the tip on your middle finger to get a feel for the pressure required to lift it.
Adjust the tensioners on the rear wheel until the same amount of upward finger pressure deflects the belt 1/4 inch. Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary, then recheck belt tension as described above.
If you don't know how to check rear wheel alignment, see the Service Manual. If you don't have a Service Manual,,,,,, Good Luck.
Last edited by cHarley; Dec 24, 2009 at 05:08 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Trick #1 when you remove the rear wheel:
Mark the 2 tensioner nuts with a felt tip pen.
Loosen the 2 nuts the same number of turns (usually 12 turns will do)
When you reinstall the wheel, re-tighten the 2 nuts the same number of turns.
Trick #2 (it's close enough)
Fill a 1 gallon plastic water/milk jug with water.
Practice lifting the jug with the tip on your middle finger to get a feel for the pressure required to lift it.
Adjust the tensioners on the rear wheel until the same amount of upward finger pressure deflects the belt 1/4 inch. Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary, then recheck belt tension as described above.
If you don't know how to check rear wheel alignment, see the Service Manual. If you don't have a Service Manual,,,,,, Good Luck.
Mark the 2 tensioner nuts with a felt tip pen.
Loosen the 2 nuts the same number of turns (usually 12 turns will do)
When you reinstall the wheel, re-tighten the 2 nuts the same number of turns.
Trick #2 (it's close enough)
Fill a 1 gallon plastic water/milk jug with water.
Practice lifting the jug with the tip on your middle finger to get a feel for the pressure required to lift it.
Adjust the tensioners on the rear wheel until the same amount of upward finger pressure deflects the belt 1/4 inch. Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary, then recheck belt tension as described above.
If you don't know how to check rear wheel alignment, see the Service Manual. If you don't have a Service Manual,,,,,, Good Luck.
when i originally installed the wheel back on, i had a friend pull the wheel back as far as it would go the i started to adjust the tensioners with the axle nut hand tight, once i thought i acheived the right tension i tightened the axle nut then snugged down the tensioners. i thought it was a bit too tight so i loosened it and now i think it's a bit too loose.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
thought about the trick #1 method after i was putting the wheel back on....DOH! trick #2 sounds like a good idea. i should have checked the tightness of the belt just to be sure before i pulled said wheel. the wheel alignment should be ok. spacers are in correctly on both sides it's just the belt tension itself. even though it seems a lil loose, do you think i'll be ok riding it to the shop once the weather brakes just to get their opinion? it's not loose to the point where it will fall off or anything. what do you think?
The 2 axle adjuster nuts, control both the belt tension, and the rear wheel alignment.
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thank you Charley that makes more sense now. the description and procedure in the manual seems a little vague that's all. the problem i have is the left side tensioner has always had more thread exposed than the right so it's weird trying to tell where to start counting the equal number of turns from (shoulda marked that thread, fvck!). i'm thinking maybe just get it snug on both sides then start counting? should i be pulling the wheel back in the axle as far as possible before i start tightening down the tensioners? thanks again man and have a safe and happy holiday!
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
thank you Charley that makes more sense now. the description and procedure in the manual seems a little vague that's all. the problem i have is the left side tensioner has always had more thread exposed than the right so it's weird trying to tell where to start counting the equal number of turns from (shoulda marked that thread, fvck!). i'm thinking maybe just get it snug on both sides then start counting? should i be pulling the wheel back in the axle as far as possible before i start tightening down the tensioners? thanks again man and have a safe and happy holiday!
Good Luck