This is my first time adjusting a Dyna belt. I bought the tensioner and alignment tool. I adjusted it to the manual 5/16 to 3/8 with 10lb from the tensioner tool. So I did 3/8, thought it would be better on the loose side. The bike did not have its 1000 mi service and has 4400 mi now. So the belt was very loose. Since adjusted it seems alittle tight. Is this normal? There was over an 1" of play before adjusted.

 

just twist the belt. If you can twist it to 45deg. then your ok. better to be loose than tight. I know of one dealer that purposely tensions them a little loose. Belt runs cooler and lasts longer.

 

that's correct. my o7fxd was adjusted right to spec and i replaced a ip seal. the dealer said they always adjust on the loose side. i always go about 1/2" or a tad more. people have been using the twist test for years and it has worked fine. what you dont want to happen is to have the belt rock or slip in the sprockets. under normal riding that would not happen with the adj above. also, go ahead and adjust belt, then ride 50 miles and check it. you will be supprised how it has tightened up. if you mistakenly adjust to tight when cool you will have problems. be sure to check your alignment when you do your belt too..

good luck

scott

 

oh yeah I found another thing about the adjustor. when you press up on the thing with the 10lbs of pressure it provides, it is awfully hard to not add additional pressure while pressing up and move the tool from the original location...the result is a reading that shows too much belt movement and you then adjust the belt too tight. Also the tension adjustment calls for rider weight to be on the bike as well for the older year dynas in the service manual.

 

I bought the tensioner and alignment tool. OK IM A DUMB ***, WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? I USE A BENT WIRE AND A WRENCH, ALWAYS WORKS FOR ME.

 

Being an automotive master tech, I like having the right tools for the job. Nice avatar pic by the way. Thanks rounder and hounds2. I'll adjust it your way.

 

I'm not sure , but i think you are talking about the rear wheel, in which a bent 1/8 inch rod and a small O-ring is used to ensure equal rear wheel alignment,while the OP is talking about the primary belt tension adjustment.

 

yeah my dumb *** probably would have bought the tool but luckily a friend of mine taught me a trick. Cut a piece of wire coat hanger, put a 90 degree bend in it with a leg a couple inches long, then slide a tiny o-ring or small zip tie on it. Voila....and it works great. I just set both sides of my wheel to the same measurement until the tension is right and there you go....easy.

 

Thanks guys for the help. I know how to align the rear wheel on a bike. I know the coat hanger and o-ring trick. I bought the alignment tool because it has a nice brass pointer that fits into the bevel on the end of each side of the axle. Makes for a perfect alignment.Besides it was only $24. My question was not about the alignment. It was about the belt tension. I did it by the book and seemed tight to me. So just wondering what methods you guys were using for belt tension, that all. Again thanks for your help.