Drive Belt Deflection
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 861
Likes: 135
From: Wisconsin
Drive Belt Deflection
Somewhere along the line Harley decided to change the specs. on the drive belt deflection on the FLH models from the old 1/4 - 5/16, and changed it to 3/8 - 7/16. My question is for the people with the older models ( I just bought a 2005 FLHTCI ) is, do you go by the old numbers or was there a good reason to loosen up the specs. and do you now go by the newer numbers or stay with the tighter ones.
Thanks Jonnierock
Thanks Jonnierock
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Stay with the spec for your year of bike. Belt width has changed over the years, from 1 1/2" to 1 1/8", to the latest 1". Belt construction has also changed, giving much stronger belts these days, which is why a 1" belt can deal with modern bikes which are much more powerful than the older bikes and their early 1 1/2" belt.
Last edited by grbrown; Sep 29, 2015 at 09:04 AM. Reason: Grammar!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,200
Likes: 3,029
From: St.Louis Mo.
check cold and i've always set my belt deflection at the loose side of the specs, but always within spec. follow the service manual on wether they want rider on or off of bike when setting. some want you setting it at the tight spot and some at the loose spot. like i said follow the manual.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,547
Likes: 7,153
From: Oxford, Nc
Go with the specs your bike called for until you install a replacement belt with the later material. So my original Kevlar belt went 3/8" to 1/2" and lasted 118,000 miles.
The carbon fiber belt that replaced it runs a little tighter, somewhere closer to 1/4" to 3/8" and has 34,000 miles on it. (Still running original tranny and inner primary bearings and seals too!)
The carbon fiber belt that replaced it runs a little tighter, somewhere closer to 1/4" to 3/8" and has 34,000 miles on it. (Still running original tranny and inner primary bearings and seals too!)
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
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From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Go with the specs your bike called for until you install a replacement belt with the later material. So my original Kevlar belt went 3/8" to 1/2" and lasted 118,000 miles.
The carbon fiber belt that replaced it runs a little tighter, somewhere closer to 1/4" to 3/8" and has 34,000 miles on it. (Still running original tranny and inner primary bearings and seals too!)
The carbon fiber belt that replaced it runs a little tighter, somewhere closer to 1/4" to 3/8" and has 34,000 miles on it. (Still running original tranny and inner primary bearings and seals too!)
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 577
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From: Reno
Go with the specs your bike called for until you install a replacement belt with the later material. So my original Kevlar belt went 3/8" to 1/2" and lasted 118,000 miles.
The carbon fiber belt that replaced it runs a little tighter, somewhere closer to 1/4" to 3/8" and has 34,000 miles on it. (Still running original tranny and inner primary bearings and seals too!)
The carbon fiber belt that replaced it runs a little tighter, somewhere closer to 1/4" to 3/8" and has 34,000 miles on it. (Still running original tranny and inner primary bearings and seals too!)
