Belt tension and alignment question.
#31
11-14-2021, 03:41 PM
All I can really say is that the specs from H-D are correct, certainly plenty tight, and apply to an unloaded bike at room temperature. I have found with my bike that the suspension does sag some when the bike is upright. The H-D specs permit setting the tension with the bike upright, so, I put it in a front wheel chock.
The initial sag from being upright does tighten the belt some so I get a looser setting with the upright bike and I adjust to the looser side of the spec. When I'm on the bike with luggage loaded, a touch of the belt feels tensioned and tight.
I wear out tires faster than the belt loosens so I am only adjusting when I change tires and the rear muffler is off anyway. I just inspected my pulleys and belt at 21,000 miles and they look pretty much like new.
Extra load and resulting suspension movement will begin to loosen the belt as the axle moves above the point where the front pulley, swing arm pivot, and axle are on the same line.
The initial sag from being upright does tighten the belt some so I get a looser setting with the upright bike and I adjust to the looser side of the spec. When I'm on the bike with luggage loaded, a touch of the belt feels tensioned and tight.
I wear out tires faster than the belt loosens so I am only adjusting when I change tires and the rear muffler is off anyway. I just inspected my pulleys and belt at 21,000 miles and they look pretty much like new.
Extra load and resulting suspension movement will begin to loosen the belt as the axle moves above the point where the front pulley, swing arm pivot, and axle are on the same line.
#32
11-16-2021, 10:43 PM
#33
11-17-2021, 12:10 AM
HDF Community Team
It does not matter and will usually switch sides if you roll your bike backwards. If the rear axle is not aligned properly, the belt will track hard enough against one of the pulley flanges to make a squeaking sound.
#34
11-17-2021, 12:24 AM
I have some crazy replies on one of these Facebook forums after posting my picture that this is wrong (misaligned) while in fact I rode the bike after I pick it up from dealer after tire replacement and bike tracking was improved (as I asked them to align it) and I didnt experienced any noises with belt (while belt is now tracking to the right)
Unfortunately same dealer made my belt too loose but during my readjustment this weekend I went off their alignment and promptly turn both adjustment screws 90 deg to get belt tension corrected so I hope my alignment will stay correct with this technique while now belt tension is in specs while belt tracks to the right (not left as before adjustment). I also used axle adjustment rod with oring on it and this measurement also seems OK so I got worry a bit after seeing these comments.
Appreciate your support as there is so much misinformation that it is scary but I coudnt find any indication in service manual if belt tracking one way or the other is right or wrong.
#35
11-17-2021, 08:17 AM
Road Warrior
#36
11-17-2021, 08:59 AM
Stellar HDF Member
What Hulkss says... if you start out in the way that I explained earlier you will be safe... and if it doesn't track in the middle when you have it jacked up and then gets to squeaking from sideways alignment you have a different alignment problem that needs to be discovered and addressed...
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