Drive Belt Tension

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May 3, 2013 | 09:08 AM

#11

hardheaded

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 11,224

Likes: 3,049

From: St.Louis Mo.

i use the tension tool and always set my belt at the loose end of the specs, been working on my belt drive harleys since 1986 on softails and touring bikes.

May 3, 2013 | 10:10 AM

#12

TUCCI

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 10,216

Likes: 224

From: Glendale AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowcountry Joe

Hey Mike
The service manual will tell you to use the HD deflection tool, at the proper place on the belt underside, to help you measure belt deflection when you apply 10 lbs of force. All that is great, but I just go by feel and try to twist the belt with my fingers (fairly strong fingers) and see if its pretty difficult to get it to twist 45 degrees. If its pretty difficult to twist it 45 degrees, its probably tight enough. The belt gets tighter as the bike warms up, so just don't over tighten the darn thing.

That's a simple and effective explanation to a simple adjustment....sometimes we over think stuff and this may be one of em?