• 

  Far Canal

  6 years ago

  The HD service manual for my 2008 FXST says that the belt tension can be measured using the right tension tool with the rear wheel off the ground and you should have so much play. Pretty straightforward and how I usually do it.  Or you can measure the tension with bike on ground with no one sitting on it and it should have a different amount of play in the belt.

  1984 FXWG manual says measure belt tension with bike on ground and a person sitting on it and it should have an amount of play different to both of the above.

  I'm wondering if blokes who work on Harleys' all the time tension the drive belts the same across the model ranges eg, shovels,evos,twin cams etc?.

  I adjusted the 84 FXWG tension with wheel off the ground to the same specs as one would a 2008 FXST, imagine trying to adjust the tension and align the wheel with bike on ground and someone sitting on it would be a bad trip.
  

• 

  Krash Kinkade

  6 years ago

  Quoting Far Canal on 14 Dec 2019 09:24 AM

  The HD service manual for my 2008 FXST says that the belt tension can be measured using the right tension tool with the rear wheel off the ground and you should have so much play. Pretty straightforward and how I usually do it.  Or you can measure the tension with bike on ground with no one sitting on it and it should have a different amount of play in the belt.

  1984 FXWG manual says measure belt tension with bike on ground and a person sitting on it and it should have an amount of play different to both of the above.

  I'm wondering if blokes who work on Harleys' all the time tension the drive belts the same across the model ranges eg, shovels,evos,twin cams etc?.

  I adjusted the 84 FXWG tension with wheel off the ground to the same specs as one would a 2008 FXST, imagine trying to adjust the tension and align the wheel with bike on ground and someone sitting on it would be a bad trip.
  

  I don't know? but I've noticed all the late model Harleys seem too tight. 

• 

  Neale

  6 years ago

  Quoting Far Canal on 14 Dec 2019 09:24 AM

  The HD service manual for my 2008 FXST says that the belt tension can be measured using the right tension tool with the rear wheel off the ground and you should have so much play. Pretty straightforward and how I usually do it.  Or you can measure the tension with bike on ground with no one sitting on it and it should have a different amount of play in the belt.

  1984 FXWG manual says measure belt tension with bike on ground and a person sitting on it and it should have an amount of play different to both of the above.

  I'm wondering if blokes who work on Harleys' all the time tension the drive belts the same across the model ranges eg, shovels,evos,twin cams etc?.

  I adjusted the 84 FXWG tension with wheel off the ground to the same specs as one would a 2008 FXST, imagine trying to adjust the tension and align the wheel with bike on ground and someone sitting on it would be a bad trip.
  

  Quoting Krash Kinkade on 14 Dec 2019 10:02 PM

  I don't know? but I've noticed all the late model Harleys seem too tight. 

  Hell yes. I have an m8 heritage and i was alarmed at how tight my belt was set.

• 

  Nutty

  6 years ago

  Quoting Far Canal on 14 Dec 2019 09:24 AM

  The HD service manual for my 2008 FXST says that the belt tension can be measured using the right tension tool with the rear wheel off the ground and you should have so much play. Pretty straightforward and how I usually do it.  Or you can measure the tension with bike on ground with no one sitting on it and it should have a different amount of play in the belt.

  1984 FXWG manual says measure belt tension with bike on ground and a person sitting on it and it should have an amount of play different to both of the above.

  I'm wondering if blokes who work on Harleys' all the time tension the drive belts the same across the model ranges eg, shovels,evos,twin cams etc?.

  I adjusted the 84 FXWG tension with wheel off the ground to the same specs as one would a 2008 FXST, imagine trying to adjust the tension and align the wheel with bike on ground and someone sitting on it would be a bad trip.
  

  I put the bike on a lifter and drop the shocks out. Then I jack the rear wheel until the axle nut, front cog and swingarm pivot are PERFECTLY in line (checked with an edge tool).

  Then set the belt firm but not tight. It should rotate silently. This is optimum setting. Refit shocks and tighten axle.

  This method gives perfect adjustment on ALL bikes.

  
  

• 

  Far Canal

  6 years ago

  I was not wanting to hear that answer but I know it makes sense.

  I wonder then if I do check the tension(using deflection tool) with bike on the ground and somebody sitting on it, then once that is set measure the play with wheel off ground to see what it is and use that for future reference?. Don't usually have an assistant in the shed, plus I found aligning the rear wheel and belt hard enough with it in the air. Reckon it'd drive me to drink doing it on the ground.
  

• 

  robnicko

  6 years ago

  agree, as per manual
  

  
  

  tension will always be looser when rear wheel off the ground cause of the swingarm pivot point being between the front & rear sprockets. when off ground the rear wheel actually comes towards the front a little loosening the tension, as it rises from suspension compressing it tightens and then when really compressed loosens slightly again

  
  

  Compressing rear suspension to the point where the swingarm is parallel / in line with the front pulley is the tightest point, above that it slightly loosens again, i have set the chain on my dirt bikes this way and works fine. some euro bikes pivot at the point of the engine sprocket making this very easy 
  

• 

  Ken in Cairns

  6 years ago

  It should be you sitting on the bike Far Canal, or someone else the same weight as you.

  Think ur idea of doing a comparison between the two person and up in the air doing it solo could work, would need to be pretty accurate with the initial measurements though.

• 

  Birtyyy

  6 years ago

  I just got my missus to sit on the bike holding a 20kg bag of dog food to bring it up to my weight.
  

  (I didn't really do this but would be hilarious if someone did)

• 

  tussuck

  6 years ago

  Or.... Just have the shop do it when they replace the rear tyre!  

• 

  Far Canal

  6 years ago

  Thanks Hoody. Yep I've got the service manual for the 08 and have that one under control.

  Also got the service manual for the 1984 FXWG but it only specifies the measurement for the tension with bike on ground and someone sitting on it.

  If you have access to a measurement  for the latter with the wheel in the air then I am all ears!, hint hint. Heck, I will even buy you a beer next time I see you at church.

  Regards
  

• 

  Far Canal

  6 years ago

  Quoting tussuck on 16 Dec 2019 03:24 AM

  Or.... Just have the shop do it when they replace the rear tyre!  

  Call me old fashioned Tussuck, but I usually only take the wheel to the shop.
  

  
  

• 

  Far Canal

  6 years ago

  Quoting Ken in Cairns on 15 Dec 2019 11:38 PMedited: 16 Dec 2019 11:33 AM

  It should be you sitting on the bike Far Canal, or someone else the same weight as you.

  Think ur idea of doing a comparison between the two person and up in the air doing it solo could work, would need to be pretty accurate with the initial measurements though.

  Cheers Ken.

  Glad someone got the drift.
  

• 

  binnsy

  6 years ago

  Quoting Birtyyy on 16 Dec 2019 01:22 AM

  I just got my missus to sit on the bike holding a 20kg bag of dog food to bring it up to my weight.
  

  (I didn't really do this but would be hilarious if someone did)

  Ha ha, Id need two bags of dog food !!!

• 

  Nutty

  6 years ago

  The deflection tool is a pain unless fitted with a roller adaptor IMO. The combination of front cog run out, rear cog run out and localised belt streching needs to be checked over quite a few rotations. 

• 

  Nutty

  6 years ago

  True! It was OK on the 34:68 equipped bikes but with the later funky gearing it can take a lot of wheel revs to find the true tight spot, especially if the belt has a short area of localised stretch. 

  Another thing Hoodie, a lot of what some riders feel as suspension harshness is actually the rear end cranking tight as it comes into the tight belt zone. Something I'm always conscious of. 

• 

  Far Canal

  5 years ago

  This arvo I got all technical regarding the belt adjustment.

  Wanted to work out how to adjust the belt with rear wheel in the air and no one sitting on it so that in the future I can do the adjustment with no assistant.

  The workshop manual only gives a measurement with the right tension tool with rider on bike, bike on ground.

  First up I measured distance from rear pulley to fender bracket wheel in the air. 146mm.

  Then measured the same distance with bike on the ground and me sitting on it. 131mm.

  Next put the bike back in the air and using a ratchet strap cranked the swingarm up till it was 131mm, simulating me on it.

  
  
  

  Then set the belt tension at the tightest spot (see liquid paper marker on belt just in front of deflector) to exactly half way between workshop manual specs 19mm.

  Then torqued up the axle bolt.

  Out of curiosity I re-checked the tension after torquing up the axle nut and FUCK ME DEAD!, it had changed to an out of spec measurement.

  So faffed round some more checking the tension with the axle nut torqued up till I was happy with the play.

  So that is checking the tension with myself on the bike (even though I wasn't).

  Next step was to see what the play in the belt was when the ratchet strap is released and pissed off.

  To my astonishment there was only a cunt hair of difference between the measurement on the tensioner gauge, still way within the specs.

  My conclusion is therefore, in the future check belt tension with wheel in air to factory spec (no accomplice needed), BUT check it with axle nut torqued up. Manual does not say that and I'll be buggered if a bloke in a dealership would be this thorough.
  

  I'm not pedantic or anything.

  Might just go and check my letterbox bolts are torqued up to spec now.
  

  

• 

  brucefxdl

  5 years ago

  Quoting Far Canal on 30 Dec 2019 09:29 AMedited: 30 Dec 2019 09:45 AM

  This arvo I got all technical regarding the belt adjustment.

  Wanted to work out how to adjust the belt with rear wheel in the air and no one sitting on it so that in the future I can do the adjustment with no assistant.

  The workshop manual only gives a measurement with the right tension tool with rider on bike, bike on ground.

  First up I measured distance from rear pulley to fender bracket wheel in the air. 146mm.

  Then measured the same distance with bike on the ground and me sitting on it. 131mm.

  Next put the bike back in the air and using a ratchet strap cranked the swingarm up till it was 131mm, simulating me on it.

  
  
  

  Then set the belt tension at the tightest spot (see liquid paper marker on belt just in front of deflector) to exactly half way between workshop manual specs 19mm.

  Then torqued up the axle bolt.

  Out of curiosity I re-checked the tension after torquing up the axle nut and FUCK ME DEAD!, it had changed to an out of spec measurement.

  So faffed round some more checking the tension with the axle nut torqued up till I was happy with the play.

  So that is checking the tension with myself on the bike (even though I wasn't).

  Next step was to see what the play in the belt was when the ratchet strap is released and pissed off.

  To my astonishment there was only a cunt hair of difference between the measurement on the tensioner gauge, still way within the specs.

  My conclusion is therefore, in the future check belt tension with wheel in air to factory spec (no accomplice needed), BUT check it with axle nut torqued up. Manual does not say that and I'll be buggered if a bloke in a dealership would be this thorough.
  

  I'm not pedantic or anything.

  Might just go and check my letterbox bolts are torqued up to spec now.
  

  

  Might just go and check my letterbox bolts are torqued up to spec now........lol. just checked mine too ,big storm about to hit,mail box should still be there in the morning.it seems to me [ and i only know my own '-7 dyna ] that there a few different factory methods for different models,....and a few personal opinions on how to ,or not to.mine gets the fine vibes it its a bit to tight.cheers

• 

  skirtster

  5 years ago

  I like your theory, I would not have thought a ratchet strap, when you take your bike to a dealer and they adjust belt do they need to know your  weight to adjust belt or before you ride 2 up do need to readjust belt. 

• 

  Far Canal

  5 years ago

  Quoting skirtster on 30 Dec 2019 10:19 AM

  I like your theory, I would not have thought a ratchet strap, when you take your bike to a dealer and they adjust belt do they need to know your  weight to adjust belt or before you ride 2 up do need to readjust belt. 

  My 08 softail gives a tension measurement with wheel off the ground so I guess dealers go by that.

  What flummoxed me was the difference between the specs with the axle nut torqued up and not on this older bike. Will definitely check this next time I do the tension on the 08 softy.
  

• 

  Baloffski

  5 years ago

  Extremely interesting subject, as enlightened by the methodologies given on correct belt tension. Thanks for the knowledge, much appreciated.

  I for one am now jumping on board to follow proceedure/s on correct way to adjust and monitor drive belt. 

  Shhhesh, didn't realise the complexity of the whole exercise, which is leaving me a little 'tense'.