Gates Krikit II Belt Tension Gauges

[BajaRon]

These Krikit II gauges are very accurate and quite handy to have. I get a lot of requests for this gauge but I can't always get them for a good price. I recently got a good deal on them so I'm making them available for $18.00 shipped.

There is a great little video I've attached showing how this gauge works. This is the heavier gauge designed for the flat belts we run on our Spyders.

There is just one gauge labeled by different companies. The video is of a Dayco gauge but it's just a relabeled Gates gauge (which is the one I have).

I can ship these worldwide for a bit more.

[oldgoat]

Ron

Hopefully you have some tension #s filed away.

What should I aim for on my '08 GS with all 3 wheels on the ground? I recently replaced the belt due to a stone/something hard hole.

Thanks

og

[BajaRon]

Ron

Hopefully you have some tension #s filed away.

What should I aim for on my '08 GS with all 3 wheels on the ground? I recently replaced the belt due to a stone/something hard hole.

Thanks

og

160-180 # for that belt.

[oldgoat]

160-180 # for that belt.

Many thanks

[BajaRon]

All PM's/Emails have been replied to. Ordered gauges will be shipping out today. Thanks!

[Chupaca]

thanks for the video and making the belt tension guage available to us. you have great stuff for the members here...

[BajaRon]

I've gotten some emails about international shipping costs for the Krikit II Gauge.

Shipping by USPS 1st Class Mail to;
Canada - $2.50
Everywhere else in the world - $3.95

Shipping by USPS Priority Mail to;
Canada - $19.00
Everywhere else in the world - $23.00

[BajaRon]

I've gotten a lot of inquiries about setting the proper belt tension with the Krikit II. This tool is simple, very easy to use and quite accurate when done correctly. But you need numbers!

Doing some research and crunching/converting the values (Newtons to Pound Force) this is what I came up with. The original Newton specs. came off of the Internet. You should check your owner's manual to verify my numbers.

Tension values for the 2013-2015 Spyder Belt are higher than for the 2008-2012 Spyders. I did not calculate 'Wheel on the Ground' figures for the 2013-2015 models as they will exceed the 330 lb. measuring limit on the Krikit II gauge. 2013-2015 Spyder owners will need to raise the rear wheel off the ground to get an accurate belt tension measurement with the Krikit II gauge.

998cc All Models (2008 - 2012)	Min	Spec	Max
Newtons - Wheel Elevated	300n	450n	600n
Pound Force - Wheel Elevated - Krikit II	67 lbs.	101 lbs.	135 lbs.
Pound Force - Wheel on the Ground - Krikit II	130 lbs.	160 lbs.	190 lbs.

998cc All Models (2013-2015)	Min	Spec	Max
Newtons - Wheel Elevated	900n	1050n	1200n
Pound Force - Wheel Elevated - Krikit II	202 lbs.	236 lbs.	270 lbs.

1330cc All Models (2014-2015)	Min	Spec	Max
Newtons - Wheel Elevated	900n	1050n	1200n
Pound Force - Wheel Elevated - Krikit II	202 lbs.	236 lbs.	270 lbs.

[oldgoat]

Thank you for taking the time to post these numbers

[DR Buck]

I've gotten a lot of inquiries about setting the proper belt tension with the Krikit II. This tool is simple, very easy to use and quite accurate when done correctly. But you need numbers!

Doing some research and crunching/converting the values (Newtons to Pound Force) this is what I came up with. The original Newton specs. came off of the Internet. You should check your owner's manual to verify my numbers.

Tension values for the 2013-2015 Spyder Belt are higher than for the 2008-2012 Spyders. I did not calculate 'Wheel on the Ground' figures for the 2013-2015 models as they will exceed the 330 lb. measuring limit on the Krikit II gauge. 2013-2015 Spyder owners will need to raise the rear wheel off the ground to get an accurate belt tension measurement with the Krikit II gauge.

998cc All Models (2008 - 2012)	Min	Spec	Max
Newtons - Wheel Elevated	300n	450n	600n
Pound Force - Wheel Elevated - Krikit II	67 lbs.	101 lbs.	135 lbs.
Pound Force - Wheel on the Ground - Krikit II	130 lbs.	160 lbs.	190 lbs.

998cc All Models (2013-2015)	Min	Spec	Max
Newtons - Wheel Elevated	900n	1050n	1200n
Pound Force - Wheel Elevated - Krikit II	202 lbs.	236 lbs.	270 lbs.

1330cc All Models (2014-2015)	Min	Spec	Max
Newtons - Wheel Elevated	900n	1050n	1200n
Pound Force - Wheel Elevated - Krikit II	202 lbs.	236 lbs.	270 lbs.

Thanks for posting this conversion Ron. Long over and glad it's here. Maybe it should be posted in the "shop talk" board as well.

[BajaRon]

Thanks for posting this conversion Ron. Long over and glad it's here. Maybe it should be posted in the "shop talk" board as well.

I am hoping that once a number of riders get these Krikit II gauges that they can confirm my numbers.

[greatrides]

Ron you are the man!!!! Thank you so much!!!

[PistonBlown]

Ok Ron how did you do it? Went to use my old Krikit today to check my belt tension and it no longer goes 'krik' when I press down on it. So time to order a new one. Just can't understand how you jinxed from that distance:-)

[BajaRon]

Ok Ron how did you do it? Went to use my old Krikit today to check my belt tension and it no longer goes 'krik' when I press down on it. So time to order a new one. Just can't understand how you jinxed from that distance:-)

Takes Years of practice!

But honestly, I've never seen one of these wear out. It is strange that yours no longer works.

[M109Dreamer]

Takes Years of practice!

But honestly, I've never seen one of these wear out. It is strange that yours no longer works.

I bought one from Napa and it never worked "clicked" no matter how hard I pressed. Called Gates and they would replace and warranty the part. But, by the time paid to ship it back it really wasnt worth the $10 bucks I would save so I just bought another one.

Got a new one and it works as advertised.

[BajaRon]

I bought one from Napa and it never worked "clicked" no matter how hard I pressed. Called Gates and they would replace and warranty the part. But, by the time paid to ship it back it really wasnt worth the $10 bucks I would save so I just bought another one.

Got a new one and it works as advertised.

Very strange. I'd have thought that Gates would just have you go back to Napa and exchange the faulty one for a good one. Napa usually stands behind what they sell as well.

[M109Dreamer]

Very strange. I'd have thought that Gates would just have you go back to Napa and exchange the faulty one for a good one. Napa usually stands behind what they sell as well.

They would have but it would of cost me that much in gas to take it back to Napa or mail it back to Gates. I had no issues in getting a new one just wasnt worth the $10 dollars versus the time it would of taken to drive back to Napa or mail it back to Gates.

[Andy Cserny]

Thanks BajaRon, a most timely topic for me!! I am in the throes of my first tire change and belt tension adjustment on my new 2014 RT. Selling Dealer badly screwed up original belt adjustment, another dealer hammered an oem trailer hitch into place so tightly I had to use a scissors jack between rear tire and hitch, beating it with a deadblow hammer for 20 some minutes before trailer hitch finally came off. Belt tension was [160 on the Crickit] nowhere near the values on your chart and had lots of belt vibration starting at 71mph on oem speedo. Now I have some real numbers to aim for.
Thanks Andy

[BajaRon]

Thanks BajaRon, a most timely topic for me!! I am in the throes of my first tire change and belt tension adjustment on my new 2014 RT. Selling Dealer badly screwed up original belt adjustment, another dealer hammered an oem trailer hitch into place so tightly I had to use a scissors jack between rear tire and hitch, beating it with a deadblow hammer for 20 some minutes before trailer hitch finally came off. Belt tension was [160 on the Crickit] nowhere near the values on your chart and had lots of belt vibration starting at 71mph on oem speedo. Now I have some real numbers to aim for.
Thanks Andy

I've gotten several feedbacks from owners saying that the numbers I've posted are exactly right. They find that the range I've posted is exactly what they get on their properly adjusted belt. I hope this helps a lot of people as incorrect belt adjustment can cause issues.

Too tight will destroy bearings.
Too loose will give you vibration issues.

[Bob Denman]

Hi Ron,
I notice that your readings are all taken with the wheel elevated.

Does this mean I must assume that no reading taken while the wheel is on the ground will be useful?

[cognaccruiser]

Bob, I think if not mistaken that Ron addresses that in the 3rd paragraph of his post no. 8.

Gary

[Bob Denman]

I had missed that point on the first pass... Thanks!

[metman]

Ron,

How are these values affected by having a Smoothspyder Belt Tensioner on my 2012 RT-S SE5?

Mike in KY

[BajaRon]

Ron,

How are these values affected by having a Smoothspyder Belt Tensioner on my 2012 RT-S SE5?

Mike in KY

I can't give you a definite answer. But I highly recommend disengaging the tensioner before taking a reading. I would assume the tensioner would raise the reading. Though by how much, I am not sure. It may not be by all that much.

Take a reading both ways. If the reading with the tensioner DISENGAGED is within specs, then the reading with the tensioner ENGAGED will also be within specs. In this case, simply note the reading with the tensioner engaged as that is what your 'Normal'. That way you won't have to mess with the tensioner every time you want to take a reading. As I said, the tensioner may not make much if any difference.

[elkk]

Takes Years of practice!

But honestly, I've never seen one of these wear out. It is strange that yours no longer works.

I bought one from Napa and it never worked "clicked" no matter how hard I pressed. Called Gates and they would replace and warranty the part. But, by the time paid to ship it back it really wasnt worth the $10 bucks I would save so I just bought another one.

Got a new one and it works as advertised.

I bought a Krikit II on line and it clicked 6 or 7 times and will no longer click. So I guess a few are bad like everything else. I ordered a replacement.