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SMOOTH SPYDER BELT TENSIONER???
- Thread starter RBS66
- Start date
RBS66
New member
10-23-2013, 11:59 PM #7
capt.jim
SpyderLovers Sponsor
Join Date
Mar 2008
Location
homestead, FL>
Posts
407
Post Thanks / Like
I have a new model available now that I have been testing for a while.
The patent pending bracket attaches easily and quickly to the rear shock mount and includes a new 15MM grade 8 lock nut and Lock Tite.
It uses the heavy duty, maintenance free, torsion spring tensioner from the GS/RS with self lubricating bronze bushings.
The bracket is powder coated cold rolled plate steel, it won't crack from vibration.
The bracket also serves as an effective belt guard and includes a top plate to help keep any rocks thrown from the rear tire from damaging the belt. This alone will pay for the entire unit if it keeps just one rock from destroying the belt.
The tensioner is now marked with corresponding marks to set the tension, no more scale.
No pulley alignment required.
RS turbo friendly.
Proven design and purpose built components for reliable and consistent performance.
Fits all 2010-2013 RT's, all ST's and all 2011-2013 RS's
As with all Smoothspyder tensioners, all parts have an unconditional lifetime warranty, including the idler pulley.
30 day money back satisfaction guarantee. It goes on easy, it comes off easy, send it back if your not happy.
$280 shipping included.
Last edited by capt.jim; 10-24-2013 at 12:21 AM.
This is the one that I am referring to.
capt.jim
SpyderLovers Sponsor
Join Date
Mar 2008
Location
homestead, FL>
Posts
407
Post Thanks / Like
I have a new model available now that I have been testing for a while.
The patent pending bracket attaches easily and quickly to the rear shock mount and includes a new 15MM grade 8 lock nut and Lock Tite.
It uses the heavy duty, maintenance free, torsion spring tensioner from the GS/RS with self lubricating bronze bushings.
The bracket is powder coated cold rolled plate steel, it won't crack from vibration.
The bracket also serves as an effective belt guard and includes a top plate to help keep any rocks thrown from the rear tire from damaging the belt. This alone will pay for the entire unit if it keeps just one rock from destroying the belt.
The tensioner is now marked with corresponding marks to set the tension, no more scale.
No pulley alignment required.
RS turbo friendly.
Proven design and purpose built components for reliable and consistent performance.
Fits all 2010-2013 RT's, all ST's and all 2011-2013 RS's
As with all Smoothspyder tensioners, all parts have an unconditional lifetime warranty, including the idler pulley.
30 day money back satisfaction guarantee. It goes on easy, it comes off easy, send it back if your not happy.
$280 shipping included.
Last edited by capt.jim; 10-24-2013 at 12:21 AM.
This is the one that I am referring to.
Spyderdale
New member
Smoothspyder belt tensioner.
Just installed one on my 2013 RT. Did not have to take any panels off, did it all from underneath. As long as your hands arent to big it can be done without removing the side panel. I just got mine from Capt Jim,thought it was the latest but nothing that looked like a stone guard. What about it Capt. Jim is there a stone guard now ??
RBS66
New member
The post above is his from another thread from October.
Did it take away your vibrations?
Last edited:
Spyderdale
New member
Smoothspyder
Don't know yet, been sick with the flu eversince I installed it and haven't got to ck it out yet.
RBS66
New member
Sorry to hear that hope you're feeling better soon
Thank you very much for posting the pictures. I be checking this thread for feedbacks from Spyderdale.
capt.jim
Member
This is my latest tensioner for all of the 2013'S, all years of the RT's and the 2011-2013 RS's.
I have quietly been offering this model to those that have inquired before purchasing for testing and feedback before introducing them for sale to the general spyder public, they are not on my website or Ebay.
I try not to sell a new product without some performance feedback on the vibration reduction, installation, instructional clarity, belt tracking, etc. This is time consuming and costly while I wait for feedback response, but necessary for me to know that they are performing as designed for all models and users.
Out of a dozen in use, the feedback has been good so far, still waiting on a few. Only one complaint of an exceptionally noisy pulley, but that is to be expected occasionally. The bearings are set up with extra clearance to live at high speeds without overheating. Usually a new idler pulley will make all the difference, but sometimes the belt does not like any of the pulleys. The ribs on the backside of the belt may also contribute to idler noise but should decrease as the belt wears to the pulley.
I will also be including a 3" idler pulley in addition to the standard 2" pulley for the first batch of 25, it spins 50% less and has been popular with long distance RT riders, but the 2" has held up just as well.
Sorry for the delay and any inconvenience or grief caused to the recent purchasers that had to drill or remove the body panels, just trying make sure it is right the first time.
I will post in the vendors section soon, the price is $280, including the shipping and 3" spare pulley.
Send me a PM or Email, [email protected] if interested or have any questions, thanks.
I have quietly been offering this model to those that have inquired before purchasing for testing and feedback before introducing them for sale to the general spyder public, they are not on my website or Ebay.
I try not to sell a new product without some performance feedback on the vibration reduction, installation, instructional clarity, belt tracking, etc. This is time consuming and costly while I wait for feedback response, but necessary for me to know that they are performing as designed for all models and users.
Out of a dozen in use, the feedback has been good so far, still waiting on a few. Only one complaint of an exceptionally noisy pulley, but that is to be expected occasionally. The bearings are set up with extra clearance to live at high speeds without overheating. Usually a new idler pulley will make all the difference, but sometimes the belt does not like any of the pulleys. The ribs on the backside of the belt may also contribute to idler noise but should decrease as the belt wears to the pulley.
I will also be including a 3" idler pulley in addition to the standard 2" pulley for the first batch of 25, it spins 50% less and has been popular with long distance RT riders, but the 2" has held up just as well.
Sorry for the delay and any inconvenience or grief caused to the recent purchasers that had to drill or remove the body panels, just trying make sure it is right the first time.
I will post in the vendors section soon, the price is $280, including the shipping and 3" spare pulley.
Send me a PM or Email, [email protected] if interested or have any questions, thanks.
RBS66
New member
It is designed to help with vibrations caused by excessive long belt.
Belt is not loose just some vibrations on my bike at certain highway speeds and RPM ranges.
No problems just trying to cure bad vibrations on my bike.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
To put it simply, it takes up any slack in the return section of the belt. Under power, the driven (top) portion of the belt is plled very taught, all the slack moves to the return (bottom portion of the belt. By keeping slight tension against the return side, that slack is removed, and any associated vibrations are too.
capt.jim
Member
Sorry Snoopy, The tensioner is basically a vibration dampener that applies spring loaded tension with an idler pulley against the bottom side of the belt. The top of the belt will become tighter under a load such as going up hill, riding into a stiff headwind or loaded and pulling a trailer, etc.
The bottom of the belt will get looser under a load and sometimes start a ripple effect in the belt called harmonic vibration, frequently felt in the 65-75 MPH range.
The spyder may still have vibration even at the 2013 much tighter factory spec's, and some with the previous lower tension settings may not have any, each one is different as to what speed or if or vibration will even occur, even with the same static tension. The vibrations are sort of like the heat problems, two identical spyders, one has heat problems and one doesn't, or what one rider is sensitive to may not bother the next rider depending on what their last bike was.
The vibration will occur more often on the RT's due to the weight and windpusher aerodynamics, and the ability to carry more luggage.
Spyderdale
New member
Smoothspyder
That is not mounted like mine. I guess I got the version before that. Actually looks easier to install. Hey Capt. Jim is this new version better ? If so I bought mine to soon. Just installed last week and still got the flu so haven't tried it out yet.
capt.jim
Member
The installation is much easier, and it has a built in beltguard, but it doesn't do anything the others don't as far as the vibration is concerned. Feel better soon.
capt.jim
Member
My ST had some moderate vibration between 72-78 as new, it wasn't that bothersome that I would have been concerned or worried about it if I didn't know any different. It still has a hair at 73 I can feel once in a while under acceleration but much better.
The belts supposedly stretch some after break-in but mine was 200 Lbs. when new with the Kriket gauge and hasn't changed in 4000 miles. The belts are quite robust and last a long time. It is sort of a crap shoot, some with less static tension have no vibration, I attribute this to just getting lucky that your static tension happens to be set where everything works synergistically and the harmonics just do not occur. This is my take, I don't know if it holds any water or not.
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