I have just finished reading my Clymer manual on how to adjust the belt tension on my 2003 Dyna Superglide.  With having to have the bike level and rear wheel off the ground initially, then the first reading with the bike back on the ground with rider "facing forward" etc,etc. Can anybody assist with a deflection measurement on a cold belt with the bike either on the side stand or upright. And why does a belt have to be turned to find the tight spot?. Any help appreciated. Thanks

Ifn ya tightn ya belt at its slackest point its gunna be way to tight at its tightest point    lol

 Thanks. I have a Gates Tension tester and it certainly works OK. The issue here is the crap that you have to go through to do the job. My thoughts are that no dealer/service person in business would do the job as per the Clymer manual and I presume the actual Harley workshop manual is the same. Just looking for something far more practical.

 Yes I found that method on the USA HD Forum yesterday, its subjective because of arthritic hands but mine did seem to be nearly impossible to get past the 45 degrees. 

 That Hogbagger model seems easier to use than the propper thing. What I was after do you guys go through all this crap of rear wheel off ground, find tightest point, back on ground with assistant sitting etc just to determine if your belt deflection is correct. And if its not then you do your adjustment and go through all this again. There is no way the dealers have time to do this.

Its much easier to find tight spot with wheel off the ground==yes

Assistant  sitting on bike==no

Due to time restraints dealer will never do as good a job as you will==LOVE   (as long as ya know what ya doin)

Hows the 45degree rule work fellas.

Maturecruiser,

Gnoo is spot on except that it is sometimes neccessary to check tension with the suspension loaded because the swing arm geometry sometimes causes the belt to tighten when there is weight on the bike.Also the reason for a loosest and tightest spot is due to either sprocket not being  pefectly round or centred. Even chains need the same detail when adjusting.  Cheers.   pete.

 Thanks Weepete, It does appear to be the old story, if you want it done right do it as per the manual and do it yourself.