Spyder newbie - belt tension

[BHawksworth]

Hi - just got a Spyder a few months ago. I do all the work on my HD, and have just (about) finished the 600 mile service on the Spyder. However, I've run into a problem on belt tension, specifically. Belt alignment doesn't seem too difficult, but belt tension does.

I've reviewed the threads on belt tension, and have the manual for the bike.

Here's the issue: The tension is too high. Even if I back out both adjustment screws to the point immediately before the end caps come lose, the belt tension seems too high. The Napa tool isn't even registering that is has 320 lbs - so it presumably is higher than that.

As I said, I backed out the adjustment screws to the point before the end caps become loose. According to the manual, this should reduce stress on the belt. At this point, the belt runs to the left of the sprocket, so I tighten the left side per the manual to bring the belt within 1-2 mm of the sprocket. But it's still too tight!

Any help figuring out how to reduce the tension would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[NancysToy]

Did you loosen the axle nut first?
-Scotty

 

[BHawksworth]

I did. Axle covers off, removed the cotter pin, and loosened the axle nut (I tried various degrees of looseness). I can adjust the screws, I just can't seem to reduce tension - only increase it. If I loosen the screws any further, the end caps would rattle loose. Which I don't think the designers intended.

Did you loosen the axle nut first?
-Scotty

 

[BHawksworth]

Scotty - your post got me thinking - perhaps I hadn't loosened it enough. Sure enough, that was it. I had to loosen it a lot more than I expected before the axle would move in its slot. Thanks a lot for your help!

Did you loosen the axle nut first?
-Scotty

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Nice

:spyder: You gotta love this website! Makes me proud to be an American and own a Spyder. Very knowledgeable folks. :2thumbs:

 

[Questions]

drive belt tension

having purchased a machine last year i am seeking information re the above.
what device is used to measure
what tension is required

 

[SpyderWolf]

having purchased a machine last year i am seeking information re the above.
what device is used to measure
what tension is required

:welcome:

The dealers use a sonic tension checking machine that is pretty expensive, but many people on here who adjust their own belts use a Krikit. There are links at the bottom of the home page for the latest service bulletins issued for the Spyder, and the belt tension is one of them. Here is a direct link: http://www.spyderlovers.com/spyderbulletins/rbs2010-006_rev1 en.pdf

You can do a search on here for Belt Tension, or Krikit, and should get some good results to help you with your question about what tool to use. I had the dealer do mine, so I don't know personally know about the other method.

 

[BajaRon]

I have found that using a heavy dead blow hammer works wonders for belt adjustment. You don't have to loosen the axle nut so much, it seats the adjusters very nicely and when I tighten the axle nut nothing changes.

Of course if you're tightening you don't need it. You only need it if you're loosening the adjusters. I just smack the rear tire a few times and it works wonders.