belt tensioner

[The RI Spyder rider]

Hi folks
Im driving a 2012 RT Limited. I have been geting a vibration when accelorating around 5000 rpm then goes away. Comes back at 5000rpm when slowing down. Dealler told me it was normal. I talked to the teck that was working on my bike. He played with the belt tension and vibration went away but came back a few weeks latter. My question is. Has anybody installed a belt tensioner on there bike. from what I read it sounds like it would be worthwhile mod. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Steve

 

[kml354]

Do a search plenty of info, Smoothspyder is one on home page and Baker Built.

 

[RBS66]

I installed a smoothspyder tensioner on my 2013 RT. It worked perfect took all the bad vibes away. I was experiencing the same as you described.

 

[Oldmanzues]

I like my Baker built, very easy to install, seems to work great
Oldmanzues

 

[Chupaca]

Depends..!

vibrations come from many places. The common one is harmonic and tensioner may not correct it. What it does is a good job with most and in some cases all. We have the smoothryder and it does a great job. I recommend them...:thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

Vibration in one short rpm range, in every gear (but more pronounced in higher gears), is usually a result of inherent engine vibration, balance, and harmonics characteristics. Vibration at the same speed range, no matter what gear is usually related to the belt harmonics and tension.

 

[SNOOPY]

Vibration in one short rpm range, in every gear (but more pronounced in higher gears), is usually a result of inherent engine vibration, balance, and harmonics characteristics. Vibration at the same speed range, no matter what gear is usually related to the belt harmonics and tension.

Good info! :thumbup:

 

[bluestratos]

Vibration in one short rpm range, in every gear (but more pronounced in higher gears), is usually a result of inherent engine vibration, balance, and harmonics characteristics. Vibration at the same speed range, no matter what gear is usually related to the belt harmonics and tension.[/QUOTE

Nancy is right on, I had vibrations that came on at a certain RPM so I bought the belt tensioner and it made no difference. It is still there but seems to have move up to about 6400 RPM now so I ignore it. If the Vibration is speed related it can be the belt or a tire.

 

[NetJunkie]

Vibration in one short rpm range, in every gear (but more pronounced in higher gears), is usually a result of inherent engine vibration, balance, and harmonics characteristics. Vibration at the same speed range, no matter what gear is usually related to the belt harmonics and tension.

Yep. Remember that the belt always goes the same RPMs at the same bike speed..no matter the gear. At 55MPH in 4th gear and 55MPH in 5th gear the belt is the same. That's how you can tell the source of a vibration. If the vibration happens at a certain speed it's the belt (or around it) and if the vibration happens at a certain RPM it's before the belt (engine...transmission...etc).

I've chased a lot of driveline vibrations in Jeeps. The theory is the same except replace belt with driveshaft.

 

[RTVIPER]

BAD VIBRATION

I was noticing a vibration at 72-74mph. Every time I hit 72mph the vibration was there. When I reached 75mph the vibration disappeared. Installed the Smoothspyder Belt Tensioner and no more vibration. :yes::yes::yes::yes:

 

[jerpinoy]

Yep. Remember that the belt always goes the same RPMs at the same bike speed..no matter the gear. At 55MPH in 4th gear and 55MPH in 5th gear the belt is the same. That's how you can tell the source of a vibration. If the vibration happens at a certain speed it's the belt (or around it) and if the vibration happens at a certain RPM it's before the belt (engine...transmission...etc).

I've chased a lot of driveline vibrations in Jeeps. The theory is the same except replace belt with driveshaft.

If there is a way to replace the belt to a drive shaft then I'm in. Happy Happy.

 

[NancysToy]

If there is a way to replace the belt to a drive shaft then I'm in. Happy Happy.

Dream on!

 

[RBS66]

NEW SMOOTHSPYDER BELT TENSIONER REVIEW (This is from one of the threads I started)
Hi guys I installed the new and improved Smoothspyder on my 2013 RT last week. First off right out-of-the-box I could tell it was built very well has some nice weight to it. Second the installation was pretty straightforward pretty simple. You remove the nut on the bottom of the rear shock bracket, Slide on the new belt tensioner bracket which also acts as a belt guard, Install the new Grade 8 nut that is supplied with Loctite then bolt on the spring and pulley. Set the tension and you're good to go.
Now for the test ride. I was having some serious vibrations due to belt slap especially when the bike was underload like going up a hill or riding two up. Sometimes going up a hill I would have to ride in third gear to get rid of the vibrations bike would feel like it was lugging. On highways at highway speeds always had to ride in fourth gear fifth gear would be too much vibration. Well all that is gone now. Now while riding shifting seems much smoother I'm riding in higher gears than I normally used to WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT.
Just want to give a shout out to Capt. Jim spoke to him on the phone a couple times very nice gentleman to speak to. Customer service was great I ordered it had it in a few days.

 

[Dan McNally]

I get some vibration at 58 to 60 MPH in 4th . . . so I go from 57 to 61 as quickly as possible! :roflblack:

 

[SNOOPY]

roflmao

 

[finless]

So Scotty, if you have the rpm vibration what can you do about it? My spyder did not have it until recently. I get a vibe if quickly accelerating between 5,500 and 6,000. Not always either! Cold mornings I don't have it. Warm afternoons it sometimes shows up. So again do you just ignore it or can you get rid of it?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[NancysToy]

So Scotty, if you have the rpm vibration what can you do about it? My spyder did not have it until recently. I get a vibe if quickly accelerating between 5,500 and 6,000. Not always either! Cold mornings I don't have it. Warm afternoons it sometimes shows up. So again do you just ignore it or can you get rid of it?

Thanks,
Bob

What you have sounds like a tuning issue. Probably related to the very lean tuning of the '13's, or a slight mismatch between cylinders...in sensors, valve clearances, throttle body adjustment, etc. It is probably a combination...normal engine characteristics that are aggravated slightly by tuning, and put over the edge by the ambient temperatures. Although a fuel management device might address it, there are no guarantees...and the Spyder ECM, throttle body, and timing are not tunable.. My solution would be to get used to it or power through it. There could be other causes, such as the engine contacting the frame, but they are pretty rare. JMHO

 

[finless]

Mines a 2011. I don't think that is it. You feel it in the foot pegs only. And it is a quick hammering like vibration. Almost like a bearing going bad feel. But again it doesn't always happen so it can't be like the rear bearing or something. I keep thinking its belt but I get a different speed related vibe there. I road 200 miles today and did not feel it once today.

Bob

 

[Griffin Spyder Rider]

belt tension where do you get one

Hi folks
Im driving a 2012 RT Limited. I have been geting a vibration when accelorating around 5000 rpm then goes away. Comes back at 5000rpm when slowing down. Dealler told me it was normal. I talked to the teck that was working on my bike. He played with the belt tension and vibration went away but came back a few weeks latter. My question is. Has anybody installed a belt tensioner on there bike. from what I read it sounds like it would be worthwhile mod. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Steve

Where do you get one

 

[SNOOPY]

Where do you get one

A couple vendors on our home page carry them, including Smoothspyder.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/index.php