Does that belt tension tool help you set the tension or just check the tension. Do you really need to use one.?

 

I don't use one, I use the twist method, 45 degrees. But the tool will help you both the check and set tension but is a pain in the a** to use.

 

what do u mean the twist method?

 

I got one after decades of using the feel/eye ball methods. more of a waist of money($10) or training wheels. still mite use it sometimes thow

 

If you try to twist the belt in the middle between the drive sprocket and the rear sprocket, you should be able to twist the belt approx 45 degrees from horizontal. Read that method here on the forum from someone, and if you use the pain in a** tool it confirms the 10 lbs test.

 

The twist method doesn't include how much effort is put behind the twist.
The belt tension tool only measures the taughtness of the belt.
One thing that many people mistakenly do when using the tool is try to straddle the belt with it instead of running it lengthwise on the belt.
You make your belt tension adjustment at the back axel, then check the tension with the tool again.

 

For the people that have been doing it forever they probably don't need the tool. However, being pretty new to this I like to have the tool to double check myself. Not something I want to mess up and have excess wear and problems etc.

 

Just checks the tension, It might help the first time you check adjustment, its pretty easy toacquire a 10 lb finger I wouldn't bother getting one, Your bagger has a nice scale on the belt guard in 1/8 increments, just be sureyour belt is coldand your bike is in neutral before you do your test, they really tighten up when they get hot 3/8 cold will be tighter then a banjo string hot. I alway try to maintain 1/2 to 5/8.

 

I went to the Harley shop and had a tech show me the correct tension by feel,much quicker that way.

 

Thanks for the tips! I just had my 20K service done, and went out to the garage and did the 45 degree test and checked the actual play. And it certainly was a 'cold' test....we were down to 26 degrees last night!