Belt tension
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 50
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From: Chicago
Belt tension
Will lowering a Ultra cause the belt to get tighter. I was riding with my wife for the first time after lowering and had a noise on accell, only lowerd 1" so not worry about rubbing fender. I checked the belt and was like a guitar string, book said 1/4" to 5/16" defelction. Think I am overtight.
Thank you
Thank you
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 570
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From: New Mexico
Sounds tight to me. I try to run mine a little looser than the spec. I believe the belt tightens under acceleration do to weight transfer and suspension collapse. Easy enough to loosen a little but don't know why you would here a noise from a snug belt.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
usually on lowering the belt becomes more slack and "zings" against the primary on decel.
what ever, you should check and adjust the belt tension- a too tight belt can cause damage to the tranny bearings and wear out prematurely.
have another look at that
mike
what ever, you should check and adjust the belt tension- a too tight belt can cause damage to the tranny bearings and wear out prematurely.
have another look at that
mike
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Chicago
Picking up a belt guage tomorrow from a friend and checking just in case. Just a strange sound and never heard it before, but wife does not ride much. She said she could feel it in her left foot which is why I looked at the belt.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
With the bike on a jack I set the belt tension (3 notches) by applying a slight force upwards with the back of my little finger before applying the 10 lbs force against the belt with the gage.
There will always be a sag on the belt due to gravity so if you count the complete travel (sag+displacement @ 10 lbs) the belt gets much tighter.
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Swartz Creek MI
Know this is old chat, thread or whatever but I just replaced my 03 Road King junk air rear shocks with non aired slammers which drooped its *** end 1.5 inches. Checked for bottoming out on bumps but overlooked the alignment on rear belt. After riding about 50 miles over a couple days with teen daighter on back noticed a squeaking from rear on decel & left turn. Stopped could see where belt was rubbing rear tires top sidewall checked belt tension was sloppy loose. Replacing shocks & other stuff never touched rear axle, or cams that adjust tension. Lowering does cuz belt to get more play with just me it seemed fine but both od us lowered stance more.
Stellar HDF Member
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From: Massachusetts
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Can't accusing him of not using the "search" feature.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,078
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From: New England
Yup, you cannot win around here.
The moral of the story is - changing your suspension height will modify your existing belt tension. You will also need to determine a newer deflection value that properly suits your new suspension height. Traditionally, the taller you go with suspension, the more deflection you need.
The moral of the story is - changing your suspension height will modify your existing belt tension. You will also need to determine a newer deflection value that properly suits your new suspension height. Traditionally, the taller you go with suspension, the more deflection you need.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
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From: San Diego, CA
Slim58panhead might I suggest a good way to use the search function.....
You search old threads for an answer to your question, then if your question isn't completely answered, you can start a new thread. You can title the new thread specifically towards the info you want...
I believe that will accomplish two things:
1) Since you won't often get responses from the people in a really old thread, it targets your specifc question(s) to people currently on the forum.
2) You will get more views for your question(s). I know that I check the date of the first post in a thread (well 99% of the time anyways, I missed this one). If a thread is older than a few months, I don't bother opening them anymore..
Again, just a suggestion to help you get views/responses....
As far as your specific question goes, I believe twincam10353 gave you the best answer...
Good luck setting your belt tension...
You search old threads for an answer to your question, then if your question isn't completely answered, you can start a new thread. You can title the new thread specifically towards the info you want...
I believe that will accomplish two things:
1) Since you won't often get responses from the people in a really old thread, it targets your specifc question(s) to people currently on the forum.
2) You will get more views for your question(s). I know that I check the date of the first post in a thread (well 99% of the time anyways, I missed this one). If a thread is older than a few months, I don't bother opening them anymore..
Again, just a suggestion to help you get views/responses....
As far as your specific question goes, I believe twincam10353 gave you the best answer...
Good luck setting your belt tension...
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