Overtight Drive Belt?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
As I remember, my '07 manual says without any extra weight on the bike (as in a rider) and the tension can be checked with the bike on the jiffy stand or with the rear wheel completely off the ground. The check may be diffferent for different years though. I run mine loose as per iClick's recommendation and when hot, it is in spec. 40k so far and all is well...
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 1
From: Texas
My old belt still had life in it at 105,000 miles!
I always adjust mine on the lift, with no one on it, and use the Harley belt tension gauge. I tend to go on the loose side of the settings but with the new belt, I adjusted closer to the tighter end. I figured the belt might stretch some.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Only suggesting you tighten to specs and then back off a little. Running it a little loose does NOT spell failure. Can we see some empirical data on that?
Do a little reading on Harley belt failure before you start calling people "Goobers" pal.
BTW, are you talking Michigan cold or Florida cold?
lp
Do a little reading on Harley belt failure before you start calling people "Goobers" pal.
BTW, are you talking Michigan cold or Florida cold?
lp
+1 on $100. belt???
bout 250-300 here
have tool n always go lil on loose side - pretty stock tc88
recently put as s&s belt on a 127ci, s&s says on hi perf motors to go lil tighter on spec
i dunno if i agree, but they have way more exp than me...
bout 250-300 here
have tool n always go lil on loose side - pretty stock tc88
recently put as s&s belt on a 127ci, s&s says on hi perf motors to go lil tighter on spec
i dunno if i agree, but they have way more exp than me...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
What was the point of opening this thread and asking this question 12 years later?
Last edited by NoRegerts; May 14, 2023 at 11:31 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
My local HD dealer over-tightened my drive belt (2022 Heritage). Bike was new and they set the belt at 3/16" deflection during a wheel swap (wanted chrome, bike came with black wheels). When I hit a moderate pothole or bump on a bridge, it felt like the suspension bottomed out and went "BAAM". Had them loosen the belt to 1/2" deflection and the suspension is great now.
Don't over-tighten your drive belt!
Don't over-tighten your drive belt!