Belt too tight?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 12
From: SE Florida
Belt too tight?
I just got my bike back from the Indy for a few things. One was a new rear tire. So after a 60 mile ride today, I put the bike back in the garage and checked the belt. I don't have a HD gauge, but my hand and brain tell me it's way too tight.
Rather than take it back, is it okay to loosen the belt? I have the manual and could reverse the process. Sound okay to do?
Any recomendations would be really helpfull.
Serious recommendations, only, please!
Rather than take it back, is it okay to loosen the belt? I have the manual and could reverse the process. Sound okay to do?
Any recomendations would be really helpfull.
Serious recommendations, only, please!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Yeah, and when I've done this, before I tighten the axle nut, I take a brass drift and put it against the axle nuts on each side (NOT the adjusting nuts) and tap it to move the wheel forward equally on both sides to the new stop point after backing the adjusting nuts off a little - usually 1/2 flat each (1/12 turn), then tighten the axle nut to spec.
My rule of thumb is that the rear pulley is only luke warm after a ride. If the belt's too tight, the pulley will feel hot. IMHO and according to my own experiences over the years, the deflection spec is correct only when the bike has just been ridden and everything is up to operating temp. Every time I've adjusted the belt to the spec in the manual when it's cold, it's ended up being way too tight when everything heats up and the pulley will be almost too hot to touch.
Having the belt as tight as a guitar string can't possibly be doing the tranny input and output shaft bearings, rear wheel bearings, swing arm pivot bushings etc. any good - not to mention the belt itself. Also it'll whine like hell at highway speeds when it's too tight.
Good luck & I hope this helps.
Ride safe,
John
My rule of thumb is that the rear pulley is only luke warm after a ride. If the belt's too tight, the pulley will feel hot. IMHO and according to my own experiences over the years, the deflection spec is correct only when the bike has just been ridden and everything is up to operating temp. Every time I've adjusted the belt to the spec in the manual when it's cold, it's ended up being way too tight when everything heats up and the pulley will be almost too hot to touch.
Having the belt as tight as a guitar string can't possibly be doing the tranny input and output shaft bearings, rear wheel bearings, swing arm pivot bushings etc. any good - not to mention the belt itself. Also it'll whine like hell at highway speeds when it's too tight.
Good luck & I hope this helps.
Ride safe,
John
Last edited by jpooch00; Dec 21, 2008 at 04:13 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
I too had my bike into an Indy shop recently getting my 20,000 mile service done. I know he adjusted the belt. I thought it was just me looking for something, but when manuevering it around the garage parking it, it doesn't seem to roll as easy as it did before. Could this be a sign too that the belt might be to tight?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I too had my bike into an Indy shop recently getting my 20,000 mile service done. I know he adjusted the belt. I thought it was just me looking for something, but when manuevering it around the garage parking it, it doesn't seem to roll as easy as it did before. Could this be a sign too that the belt might be to tight?
Good luck,
John
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Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
I'm not hearing any noise even turning the wheel while on the lift. I would think I would if either the belt was too tight, or the spacer was harmed causing the bearings to bind. I'm probably just paranoid because I did have to replace the bearing that went bad in my IDS sprocket and am obviously paying a bit more attention to the rear wheel area.
Last edited by sparky_mo; Dec 22, 2008 at 06:34 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I'm not hearing any noise even turning the wheel while on the lift. I would think I would if either the belt was too tight, or the spacer was harmed causing the bearings to bind. I'm probably just paranoid because I did have to replace the bearing that went bad in my IDS sprocket and am obviously paying a bit more attention to the rear wheel area.
The real test is to ride the bike for a little while at highway speeds and then pull over and get off and put your hand on the rear pulley. If it feels anything more than just warm, then the belt's too tight. If it feels about right, reach in and check the hub temp. If it feels fery hot at all, then there may be a bearing issue.
Best of luck and ride safe,
John
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 597
Likes: 35
From: On the lake, Ohio
I'm glad I purchased a Belt Tension Gauge (Part No. HD-35381A) and Touring Service Manual which takes out any guess work being described here. Both will cost you under $90 if you shop around.