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View Full Version : Smooth Spyder belt tensioner on 2014 RTS



Nils888
03-08-2014, 11:10 PM
I have 1500 miles on the RTS now. The first 1200 miles I had a vibration from 70 MPH and up. I could feel the vibration in the foot rests.
I could make the vibration come and go with a change of the throttle or bringing the speed back down below 70MPH. I did not like riding
my spyder above 70 MPH! It just did not feel rite for the trike.

I called Jim at Smooth Spyder and talked with him for a while about what I was feeling. We both agreed it sounded like belt vibration.

He said he had not had much call for the 2014 RT's He felt the ACE 1330 was a smoother running trike and might not have the same vibration
as the early ones. I decided to give it a try:doorag:. The first one he sent me suppose to mount on the lower shock mount. It did not fit!
The 2014 lower shock mount is different than the earlier RT's and the catalytic converter is bigger. So I called Jim back and got the other
model of belt tensioner he sells. I installed it yesterday. Took about 1/2 an hour to install. Jim included some extra spacers to space the
tensioner away from the catalytic converter. Took it out for a short test ride to check for belt alignment issues. The Belt did not move and
I did not feel much vibration at all.


Today Me and the wife rode 250 miles.:D What a difference!!! The vibration is 95% gone. I could not be happier with this Farkle.
We tried speeds from 70-95mph today and it was smooth. I could still get a little vibration on deceleration. But it was minimal.

I am going to experiment with belt tension and preload on the tensioner to see if I can get rid of the last 5% of vibration.

Thank you Jim from Smooth Spyder.

cptjam
03-09-2014, 12:09 AM
Cool! Look forward to seeing it on Monday!

bodymanpainter
03-09-2014, 12:35 AM
I've noticed that ours does that at speeds above 70 mph also.

Spacetrucker
03-09-2014, 11:58 PM
Yes all 14 rt do 70+ speeds all have vibrations? Why?

Hawk
03-10-2014, 06:59 AM
Most think its the belt as previous years.

Nils888
03-10-2014, 10:04 AM
I can't speak for others. but the belt tensioner fixed my vibration.

Hawk
03-10-2014, 10:14 AM
I can't speak for others. but the belt tensioner fixed my vibration.

Nice. I may get one for mine.

jtpollock
03-10-2014, 11:04 AM
First of all two :thumbup::thumbup:to Jim he did the same for me on my 2012 RSS. I believe that all Spyders should have this part installed and should be a factory part not to take anything from Jim but the Factory should do something about the vibration. It's just the length of the belt without a carrier in the middle. Again Jim’s parts are top drawer :bowdown::bowdown: