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'22 Road King w/5,300 miles. Let me start off by stating that I'm mechanically adept, I have the service manual, and I have searched.
I recently completed the 5k service myself and noted that the drive belt tension was sitting at about 17mm. The acceptable range for a not new belt is 9.5-14.3mm. I don't have the required sockets and/or box wrench so I just decided, since I was getting the recall done, to have my dealer to adjust it. He said it was "fine" but tightened it up "a little" and collected $45 for the trouble. I get home, double check it, and it's still sitting at about 17mm.
I'm new to Harleys, this being my first. Besides the obvious "getting paid but not doing the work" issue, how hung up should I get about this slack in the belt? Please help edumakate me on drive belt dos and don'ts.
Are you using the 10lb spring scale to do the measurement? If not, your measurement is likely incorrect.
I should have mentioned that. I'm using an Amazon clone, but I calibrated it with a digital scale (push to 10 lbs, move the o-ring to that point regardless on how the rod is marked). I'm confident that I'm with just a couple of percent of ten pounds to render any minor error irrelevant.
also it should be done with the rider's weight on the seat
Funny you say that. The owners manual says "unlaiden" and on the side stand. The service manual very clearly says to raise the bike up off the ground so that the rear wheel is "suspended." Given the conflict, and because I'm an engineer, I measured it both ways. One was 17 mm and the other (suspended) was a little bit over 18mm. Pretty insignificant difference. The owners manual states it should not have the riders weight on it.
I get that the limits will vary from one MY to the next so I expected different, or even conflicting, responses. I think I was looking more for an evaluation of the significance of a belt tension limit exceedance.
I'm no expert but I dont really think too loose is a problem unless youre skipping teeth on the pulley. Youd rather be loose than tight for bearings and whatnot. I wouldnt worry about it.
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Proper Belt Tension
