Use the gage and the proper procedure. Unlike a Softail, think you Cruiser is with no weight on the saddle. 10 lbs and the middle of the tolerance for deflection. It's silly to think that would be too tight when you consider 80 + hp or more pulling 900 + lbs

 

!/2" x 6" bolt, nylon locknut and a hardware store spring that fully compresses @ 10 lbs of pressure. Drilled a 1/2" hole thru a 3" piece of aluminum stock (could also use 1/2"ID PVC pipe) and you have yourself a homemade tool that cost around $4! Hold the head of the bolt against the belt while holding the aluminum and compress the spring and check deflection. Simple tool HD gets $35 for.

 

I know they say to press on the belt with 10lbs of force and measure the deflection. Wouldn't the deflection be the same by pulling it with one of these?

 

Awesome!! Gonna make one this weekend, THANKS..

 

The factory tool works by pushing up on the belt from underneath. The swingarm and all manner of other stuff gets in the way of pulling upwards!

We see much debate on whether the belt should be tight or loose, but the tool enables us to get it just right! It is easy to use and will last a lifetime. Simples.

 

$21 no brainer, also works on the old style car belts.

 

I wad thinking of pulling down. If the actual guage is only 20 bucks I'll just get one of them. thanks.

 

Not trying to steer you wrong, but once you check it with the gauge a few times, you will get a feel for what 10 pounds is, and the tool will likely just occupy a corner of your tool box. But by all means, get the tool!

 

Ah - lateral thinking! Or is that vertical?!

 

i just made 7 of these for $16. i used 3/8 bolts and some 3/8 i.d. aluminum tubing from the local fleet farm store. the tubing came in a 3 foot piece and i cut 3" pieces with my tubing cutter. the only thing i did different was i used two 5/16 washers on both ends of the spring. i'll give them to my friends.