I think I understand what I was doing now...I had put the tool on the belt directly below the measurement window and pushed up. Am I supposed to put the tool on to the left of the belt guard but then look at the belt through the window?

 

No, never had any problems and I've put a combined 145,000 miles on 4 big twins since 2003. I probably was a little on the loose side but not by much. If you check a new bike sitting on the showroom floor you can tell they like them tight.

 

I broke a belt last year for no apparent reason and think maybe the belt being banjo string tight might be why. I have a RK here that I am playing with, running the belt why looser than spec. Only have about 2000 miles on it sense I bought it but no problems so far.

 

Buy the bike some cheese to go with the wine

 

I just adjusted mine with bike on jack. I had a 3/8 reading. After I cinched everything down, I checked again with bike in the air. Still 3/8 inch. Lowered bike onto the jiffy stand. Now it reads 7/8. Why would the manual indicate it could be adjusted either in the air or on the ground? Which reading should I go by?