Just checked cold and hot yesterday: cold is right around half an inch and hot is right around a quarter. Mine appears to be slightly tighter than yours iClick, but certainly not "banjo string" tight. I still have some play when warm. No noise from the belt that I can tell, but then again I am having a hard time figuring out whether humming/whining noises are coming from the tranny or tires. This bike makes a whole lot more drive train noise than my Wide Glide did and I am just now getting comfortable with what I feel are "normal" noises.

 

Not to be an alarmist, but keep your ear out for any odd whining or droning noises coming from the belt's front-sprocket area that is speed-related. IOW, the noise changes only with speed, not gear or RPM. I had these noises for 18 months that got worse with time, and I thought it was either the belt or tire. It turned out to be a tranny mainshaft bearing, which is something that shouldn't wait a long time like I did. I had no collateral damage but it could have been much worse. This problem seems to be more common that it should be on '07 and later bikes with the 6-speed tranny.

I would say that ¼" when hot is an acceptable tension and that's about where mine stays.

 

Well, I do have whining/droning, but it's not that loud and I can't really tell where it's coming from. It is definitely speed related and not a "howl" as others have described. I suppose the only way to know for sure is to pull the outer primary cover, clutch and inner primary cover to check the bearing, right?

It suppose it can't hurt to take it to my dealer and have one of the techs listen to it.

 

The preceding threads are relating to the deflection of the belt but I havn`t seen any mention of "at the tightest spot". I allways jack mine up and rotate the wheel observing the tightest spot, then let it down and put all my weight on the seat kneeling on it. Then I check for 1/2in. cold. I had a 280# person sit on it once and it didn`t make any difference in belt deflection.

 

I do mine at the tightest spot, but my book calls for checking the belt tension with the bike on the jiffystand and no rider, or on a jack with the rear wheel suspended in the air.

 

I started hearing a faint whine after a road trim in May '08, and in Sept. '08 took it to the dealer for a check since the warranty was up two months from that time. They heard it but weren't sure what it was, telling me to keep my ear open for changes. In Sept. 09, 10 months after the warranty expired, the noise had escalated gradually to a howl and they prescribed tearing into the tranny. The mainshaft bearing was bad and they replaced it in warranty. I think reporting it before the warranty expired saved my **** from an expensive repair.

I would have a trusted tech listen to it and give his opinion.

 

My thoughts too - I was listening to it on the way to work this morning and the whine is definately not coming from the clutch area, it's more tire noise or something else. I seem to hear the whine/drone only when in 4th and deaccelerating and downshifting as I come to a stop. Other times I don't hear it until I am in 4th or 5th at a steady cruise and even then it's not coming from the clutch area, or behind it (towards the rear of the bike).

For my satisfaction, I'll have a tech at the dealer listen to it - if it's normal noises, I can rest easy.

Thanks again for your advice, appreciate it.

 

What are the specs. in your book as to deflection measurement and are you using 10# to deflect the belt when measured? Previously the only criteria I`ve seen mentions motorcycle on ground with rider sitting on it.

 

For a 2007 UC, the deflection spec is 3/8 to 7/16 with the bike on the jiffy stand and no rider or luggage, or on a lift with the rear wheel up in the air. I have and use the belt deflection tool. It's a bit difficult to find the "tightest" spot when it's on the jiffy stand because you have to roll the bike back and forth to find it.

My Dyna Wide Glide required a rider sitting on the bike but my Electra Glide does not.

 

My 2010 manual states ''measure deflection at several locations around the belt. Select the loosest measurement and compare with specifications.''
1/4-5/16 for FLHX,FLTRX
3/8-7/16 for other models
I've always been taught that a loose belt belt will fail faster than one slightly tight.JMHO.