A sign of the times!

[Rando]

Buy a Krikit for $20 and do them yourself. Piece of cake!

OK I got the Krikit, now can someone explain how to do it (step by step please) and what I set it at since the Krikit doesn't use Newtons?

 

[BajaRon]

OK I got the Krikit, now can someone explain how to do it (step by step please) and what I set it at since the Krikit doesn't use Newtons?

I tried my Krikit from all different angles, come from under the belt cover on the left side, reach through the suspension from the right side, and from the back. None of these are ideal but I like coming from the back best.

Lamont prefers coming in from the left side best. Whichever allows you to get a good, straight push on the finger groove is best. You want the Krikit to lay flat on the belt as you push STRAIGHT down. If you rock it forward/backward/left or right it will skew the reading.

It's not that difficult if you're careful and you'll know when you've got the knack as you'll get the same reading every time.

1. Jack the bike up so rear wheel is off the ground.

2. Set the Krikit to high setting (push lever down until none of it is above the slot). Remember to reset each time before taking another reading.

3. Place Krikit in center of belt lengthwise (as shown in the instructions) at mid point between belt freespan between sprockets (Just forward of the front passenger footpeg bracket)

4. Press straight down slowly in center of finger groove until the Krikit pops. Quit pushing as soon as pop is felt.

5. Carefully remove Krikit so as not to disturb measurment arm.

6. Read measurement as given in Krikit instructions (where arm intersects increment markings and is flush with top of the tool).

7. Here is where it gets tricky. The current tension recommendation is 450 Newtons, +or-150, according to the latest service bulletin from BRP (If this report is correct).

This corrilates to a foot pound range (which is what the Krikit scale uses) of 68 - 134 lbs, which seems a bit low to me. Since my Krikit only goes down to 100 lbs. I'll be setting mine at least that.

The original recommendation from BRP was 1500 Newtons, +or- 700. This corrilates to 180 - 495 lbs on the Krikit (if it went that high). This giant spread seems a bit insane, if you ask me, (which no one ever does but hey, you've got to be ready right?!)

Lamont had his belt tensioned 'Professionally' and his Krikit read 180 lbs. (That's 800 Newtons IF Lamont's Krikit was accurate). 800 Newtons being well above the current service bulletin maximum of 600 Newtons, but right at the very bottom of the original recommendation (again, if his Krikit was accurate).

So what to do. Well, my belt was at 260 lbs on my Krikit. I checked it about 10 times and got the same exact reading 8 times. I probably bumped the gauge getting it out of there the other 2 times as it can be tricky. I adjusted my belt down to 200 lbs. on the Krikit.

Is it right? I can't say without taking it to the dealer and getting it Newtonized.

Even if the Krikit is not pound accurate it will give the same reading every time for the same amount of tension so at least I have some standard to go by.

Next time I get over to Lamont's I will check my Krikit on his belt. If it reads 180 then I'll know I'm in the ballpark of what the service tech adjusted his to. If it isn't then I'll still have an idea of where my belt is in relationship to his.

Ok, so maybe this doen't sound scientifically impressive, well I don't blame you. But neither does BRP going from a current low of 68 lbs to a previous high of 495 lbs. sound all that conforting either.