Belt Tension Tick Mark Value
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Belt Tension Tick Mark Value
I'm coming up on my 20,000 mile service for my 2012 SG and can't seem to find the secondary belt adjustment section on my Service Manual. I'm mainly looking for how much each line's value is on the window. Also mine has a lowering block on the rear shocks and it's on the 2" setting. Any recommendations if I should just use the factory specs?
TIA.
TIA.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,858
From: Oklahoma
You are looking for deflection with a 10 pound effort against approximately the middle of the belt, where the scale is. Placing a ruler against the scale should confirm that each mark is 1/8 of an inch. The spec has changed once or twice since I bought my 08 Road King so I won't even pass my spec along. The Harley tool with the calibrated spring is the proper way to do this, others may chime in with alternatives not requiring the tool. It is popular to make an index mark on the cam and the fitting the cam pushes against as a reference of where you started. Without the tool, you are really just hoping for a lucky guess. If you don't have the manual to tell you the proper torque for the axle nut, you may be setting yourself up for a problem in the not too distant future. Hopefully someone with the same machine as yours and the manual can give the needed specifics. The lowering blocks are immaterial to belt deflection unless the proper deflection goes beyond one end of the scale because of the changed starting point.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
You are looking for deflection with a 10 pound effort against approximately the middle of the belt, where the scale is. Placing a ruler against the scale should confirm that each mark is 1/8 of an inch. The spec has changed once or twice since I bought my 08 Road King so I won't even pass my spec along. The Harley tool with the calibrated spring is the proper way to do this, others may chime in with alternatives not requiring the tool. It is popular to make an index mark on the cam and the fitting the cam pushes against as a reference of where you started. Without the tool, you are really just hoping for a lucky guess. If you don't have the manual to tell you the proper torque for the axle nut, you may be setting yourself up for a problem in the not too distant future. Hopefully someone with the same machine as yours and the manual can give the needed specifics. The lowering blocks are immaterial to belt deflection unless the proper deflection goes beyond one end of the scale because of the changed starting point.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
not sure about your 2012 bike, but Harley does give different belt specs for low and standard shock lengths these days. Service Bulletin M1439 wants 3/8 - 9/16 for std shocks and 1/4-7/16 for low shocks. The lows are 1" shorter if that helps.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 35
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 254
From: US
Exactly. It can be misunderstood, Gotta allow for the width of the marks and of the space between them. What some consider an 1/4 reading, could actually be 1/2"
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 373
Likes: 90
From: australia
I use millemeters with the harley tool .... Put some white paper behind so you can see the belt more easily .... May be pedantic to some , but some of us are , and it easy to do .... I also have belt tension to the upper limit of spec for individual bike .... Belt does get tighter at running temp ....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Good roads, cold beer
Link? Thanks.