Belt Tension

[johnv50]

I recently purchased a new 2017 f3 Limited and will be installing Doc Humphries Belt tensioner this weekend. I have read several times that the belt tension should be set at 140 - 145. Is this applicable to all Spyders ? Did BRP come out with an update to use this setting ?

thanks johnv

[Roadster Renovations]

I usually suggest 160-180, but others like to go lower.

[smoof]

I have a 2016 RTS and checked the belt tension with the cricket while the rear wheel is on the ground. it showed around 210/220 pounds. do i need to back that down????
(i will get my picture fixed one of these days)

[Roadster Renovations]

I have a 2016 RTS and checked the belt tension with the cricket while the rear wheel is on the ground. it showed around 210/220 pounds. do i need to back that down????
(i will get my picture fixed one of these days)

Yes, that is pretty tight. Our Damper only adds about 7 lbs when installed. With the Damper on, on the ground reading should be no more than 160-180.

[dickgi]

I have a 2013 RSS and the manual says that the belt tension can be as high as 230 off the ground. Does this seem right?

Yes, that is pretty tight. Our Damper only adds about 7 lbs when installed. With the Damper on, on the ground reading should be no more than 160-180.

[Roadster Renovations]

I have a 2013 RSS and the manual says that the belt tension can be as high as 230 off the ground. Does this seem right?

For that style a belt that is too tight IMHO, especially in the air. I wouldn't go more than 140-160 on the ground. There is probably a revised stat on that. Maybe someone has that info.

[dickgi]

This is from the 2013 service manual. If I am reading this right it states that the drive belt has a nominal tension of 236 and note +/- 34. I think mine is set at 200 now. I have also heard that if you can twist the belt 90 degress then that is a good rule of thumb.

For that style a belt that is too tight IMHO, especially in the air. I wouldn't go more than 140-160 on the ground. There is probably a revised stat on that. Maybe someone has that info.

[BajaRon]

This is from the 2013 service manual. If I am reading this right it states that the drive belt has a nominal tension of 236 and note +/- 34. I think mine is set at 200 now. I have also heard that if you can twist the belt 90 degress then that is a good rule of thumb.

The belt twist method isn't very accurate.

[dickgi]

I have been using my Krikit II to measure the tension. I am going to the dealer to get the tension checked so I will see what they think is OK and how it compares to the readings that I have been making. A belt that is too tight may cause problems like wreck the front engine sprocket bearing or rear wheel bearing (I have heard) so I want to ensure it is correct before I put on too many more miles.

The belt twist method isn't very accurate.

[IGETAROUND]

I have been using my Krikit II to measure the tension. I am going to the dealer to get the tension checked so I will see what they think is OK and how it compares to the readings that I have been making. A belt that is too tight may cause problems like wreck the front engine sprocket bearing or rear wheel bearing (I have heard) so I want to ensure it is correct before I put on too many more miles.

Might want to ask them to set it at the very lowest end.

[dickgi]

To test my belt tension the dealer jacked up the bike so the rear wheel was off the ground. He then used a tool (sonic belt tension meter) and recorded 1060N (238 lbs) and 1080N (242 lbs). He said it was good because the specification is 1050N +/- 150N (236 lbs +/- 34 lbs). Whatever I was doing (i.e. using the Krikit) was perfect and don't change anything...got out of there without any charges. This little test also calibrated my Krikit so that made me happy. Seems tighter than the recommendations on here but I am going to leave it alone.

I have been using my Krikit II to measure the tension. I am going to the dealer to get the tension checked so I will see what they think is OK and how it compares to the readings that I have been making. A belt that is too tight may cause problems like wreck the front engine sprocket bearing or rear wheel bearing (I have heard) so I want to ensure it is correct before I put on too many more miles.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Here is a Technical Service Tip that BRP issued in 2015. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...=1#post1050479 The numbers should still be good for later RT and F3 models. Essentially, you can set the belt tension anywhere from about 530 newtons (~120 lbf) to 1200 newtons (~270 lbf) with the wheel off the ground. The recommendation of the TST is set it so that the rider doesn't experience belt vibration at his/her most common riding speed.

Here is a comment I made about this issue back in 2015. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...=1#post1095658

The general recommendation by owners is that lower is better. Reduces wear and tear on sprockets, bearings, and belts.

[stovebolt_six]

Well I bought a Krikit 2, then I watched a couple of videos in order to make sure I used the Krikit 2 correctly, so after taking a couple of readings, I'm sure that the belt tension on our 2015 F3 is way too tight, tested with rear wheel on the ground, the Krikit 2 read 300 lbs on every reading I took, so I quite sure the rear wheel bearings are shot as well. So we have an appointment with the dealer on Friday, we're going have the front spocket checked and replaced if needed, and going to have rear wheel bearings replaced. Dealer said it should be covered under warranty so we will see. I will report with the findings later.....

[johnv50]

Thanks for all of the replies, I took my 2017 F3L to the dealer and requested that he set the tension to 170lbf on the ground. He then told me he set it to 750n. If my conversion is correct 750n should be equal to 168.8lbf, can anyone verify if this is correct conversion ??
I do not have a Krikit and the dealer was using what he stated was the factory approved equipment to measure it.

thanks johnv

[bhern]

Thanks for all of the replies, I took my 2017 F3L to the dealer and requested that he set the tension to 170lbf on the ground. He then told me he set it to 750n. If my conversion is correct 750n should be equal to 168.8lbf, can anyone verify if this is correct conversion ??
I do not have a Krikit and the dealer was using what he stated was the factory approved equipment to measure it.

thanks johnv

https://www.google.com/search?q=conv...i57j6.6017j0j1

1 N = 0.224809 lbf

[dondje]

I recently purchased a new 2017 f3 Limited and will be installing Doc Humphries Belt tensioner this weekend. I have read several times that the belt tension should be set at 140 - 145. Is this applicable to all Spyders ? Did BRP come out with an update to use this setting ?

thanks johnv

John...

I purchased from Best Shop Manuals a "2017 Spyder F3 Series Repair & Maintenance Collection-HDS-V2.pdf" manual the other day. It states 775N +/- 150N, measured off the ground.

Regards,

Don