My 2010 WG has 1,000 miles on it. The shop manual says I should have 6.4-7.9mm (1/4-5/16") of deflection while on the jiffy stand. The deflection graduations on my belt guard are 3.2mm (1/8") each. That means I should have less than 3 graduations of deflection.

I put the HD 10-lb belt gauge under the belt right next to the deflection window with the bike cold and I got at least 5 graduations of deflection at the 10-lb mark. That is 16mm (5/8"), which is about twice the deflection spec in the shop manual.

The belt feels tight to me and I am only able to twist it about 45 degrees by hand. I'm afraid that the belt will be too tight if I set it to the factory spec of about 7mm.

How are you guys setting the belt tension?

 

I adjusted mine per the manual. I had about the same as you at 1K. I believe it's probably the initial stretch of a new belt.

 

If you can only twist it 45 degrees than you are okay. More is too loose, less is too tight.

 

+1. Guy at work told me about this rule. Seems to work pretty well.

 

I twist to 45 deg. One thing you have to be careful with is while putting pressure on the tool, you can easily move the tool up from it's original location giving an inaccurate reading thinking the belt is too loose. IMHO, if it twists 45 deg, your in business. Many H-D shops set up their new bikes with the belt more loose than H-D calls for. They say the belt will last longer, run cooler.