the service man. was not clear on the adjustment either on the jiffy stand or on a jack...............which is it ?

 

On the jiffy.

 

Also, buy the belt deflection tool. It does not cost that much and will give you an accurate reading of what your belt deflection actually is.

 

intersting post as ive just put my rear wheel back on after having a new tyre fitted. I tensioned mine on a jack with wheel off the ground, surely this is the correct way as if its on the jiffy stand how can you move the rear wheel foward or backwards on the adjusters to set tension??
when i had my rear wheel central i adjusted the adjusters evenly untill my drive belt was the same tension(using fingers) as before. I felt a friends belt on his 48 and his was much looser than mine but he has lots more miles on his and as said mine feels the same tension as before and i bought new in 2012 so thats how it came.

 

Belt tension is checked on the jiffy, it is most easily adjusted with the rear wheel off the ground (but you can do it on the jiffy stand if you want, make sure the bike is in neutral).

 

Just did mine while replacing the tire. Did it on the jack then again on the jiffy stand after driving it a few miles.

Loosen the axle nut and you the adjusters and you can move the wheel by hitting it or giving it a light kick.

Just make sure you get your axle square again.

 

You can do it on a jack with the rear wheel off the ground on Touring models. Just set it to the loose end of the adjustment specs.

With my wife's Sportster I put the rear wheel on a cheap Harbor Freight wheel roller and have the front wheel in a chock. That way the bike is bearing its own weight and I can spin the wheel to find the tightest part of the belt.

 

Service Manual.

 

The service manual has a procedure for either way.

 

Doesn't matter as long as you follow the steps for either way.