Belt tension and the Krikit

[Firefly]

I'm still interested in a better tool than the Kricket for testing tension--- that won't break the bank.

I had mine nice and loose in the 140-160 lb range--- then my dealer said it was way outta spec and tightened it up to the 'new' spec... and I don't like how it feels now.

I'd love to have a gates unit-- but am not paying $600 for one!

 

[Raptor]

My RT is at 180 and my RS is at 200 right now.

Right on... for the RS anyway. I don't have an RT so I don't know about that one!

 

[the nicko]

Order from rockauto Belt tension tool to day time1355 over here sweden
hyea:hyea:

 

[vtspyder]

my wife's se5 rs reads 180 as set by the dealer(new spec). my sm5 rs is set to 160. I'm kinda glad mine is a little on the light side as I picked up 2 stones in the rear pulley a while back at the same time. No damage to the belt or pulley but had to push them out with a screwdriver.

 

[Firefly]

After having mine set by Kurt & Co. down in TN -- my kricket reads 180 with the bike on the ground--- 160 with it jacked up.......:thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

There's a magic number but we don't know what it corresponds to on the BRP meter.

My belt when new from the factory measured at 250 on the krikit which was a common reading from others at the time.
Since the new standard is about 1/2 of the old reading I just went for 125 but ended up at 140 and that seemed plenty loose. It's not to difficult to give it a half twist by hand at the midpoint of the belt, the shade tree mechanics tension meter
Have taken it for 2 rides and noticed no slippage under hard acceleration and lots less vibration in the foot pegs

I just used the shade tree meter and I got the same half twist on both our Spyders set at the new BRP specs. :thumbup:

One half twist (180°) is an awful lot! :yikes: Are you sure you don't mean a quarter twist (90°)? :dontknow: That is always where my belt is when it is tensioned properly.

 

[MikeinGA]

They are working great for me. :doorag:

Lamonster,

The numbers are they with the back tire off the ground? It looks like your the goto guy for the Can-am's and thanks for all the information. :thumbup:

Mike

 

[ryedoggracing]

RT with auto air suspension front shocks set at 5 running 20 lbs front tires 26 lbs rear with the air setting at 2 on the auto suspension. 180 off the ground 200 on the ground. With krikit 2 reading is in the middle of the top of the belt. Also move the Spyder around and do at least 3 readings. This is my best setting. I weight 205 and ride 70% solo.

 

[spydee owner]

belt tension

Could you not also use the motion pro tension gauge? Once the dealer has set to the correct tension, you would just have to follow the instructions and measure the amount of belt deflection. Once you have the amount of belt deflection, you should be good to go.

 

[MikeinGA]

RT with auto air suspension front shocks set at 5 running 20 lbs front tires 26 lbs rear with the air setting at 2 on the auto suspension. 180 off the ground 200 on the ground. With krikit 2 reading is in the middle of the top of the belt. Also move the Spyder around and do at least 3 readings. This is my best setting. I weight 205 and ride 70% solo.

I recieved my KriKit II in the mail the other day. I check mine (a RS S) the other day and it was at 140 on the ground. They adjusted mine at 640 mile service and I have 2,000 miles on it now. I'll be doing most of the maintenance work. Thanks for your input.


Mike

 

[Sarge707]

I recieved my KriKit II in the mail the other day. I check mine (a RS S) the other day and it was at 140 on the ground. They adjusted mine at 640 mile service and I have 2,000 miles on it now. I'll be doing most of the maintenance work. Thanks for your input.


Mike

I just got a Krikit because my rear tire 16,000 has Only another 1,000 or so in it!
140 Krikit on the ground (Dealer adjusted early on) and that equates to turning the belt from the 3 and 9 O,clock position (Horizontal) TO the 12 and 6 O, clock position (Vertical). Is that what you mean by 1/4 turn?:dontknow:

 

[Campverdefela]

I just got a Krikit because my rear tire 16,000 has Only another 1,000 or so in it!
140 Krikit on the ground (Dealer adjusted early on) and that equates to turning the belt from the 3 and 9 O,clock position (Horizontal) TO the 12 and 6 O, clock position (Vertical). Is that what you mean by 1/4 turn?:dontknow:

Look at post 26 again.

 

[Sarge707]

Look at post 26 again.

Would 90 degrees be from horitontal 3 and 9 O, clock to Vertical 12 and 6 O, Clock. I no No degrees I was a DI!:roflblack:

 

[FrankPa]

Schoolhouse Rock

As a kid, I learned "3" is a magic number...from School House Rock!

http://www.schoolhouserock.tv/Three.html

hyea:

My favorite is still Conjunction Junction !!

 

[thehawk]

Would 90 degrees be from horitontal 3 and 9 O, clock to Vertical 12 and 6 O, Clock. I no No degrees I was a DI!:roflblack:

90 degrees is the 'drop and give me 20' position:bowdown:

thehawk

 

[Sarge707]

I give up?nojoke

 

[Big Arm]

Would 90 degrees be from horitontal 3 and 9 O, clock to Vertical 12 and 6 O, Clock.

YES......1/4 turn is the proper twist

 

[Wattsmyname]

Belt Tension

Repeated comparisons at my local Dealer with the Gates high $$ unit showed the Krikit at 160, the Spyder Mechanic agreed the comparison was pretty accurate. I also have the 30 tooth front driver sprocket which backs the belt tension adjusters almost all the way out but enough to get me the correct "new" tension spec, works about as good as I can expect for a belt drive, Good Luck

For those of you that have had the belt tension service bulletin completed, could you please check your tension with a Krikit belt gauge tool? It sure would be nice for us to be able to check our own tension since the tool only costs between 15 and 20 dollars. Especially those of us who are not close to a dealership. Thanks!

 

[Sarge707]

Mine was adjusted as soon as the first bulletin came out and he left it on the higher side of the New Spec.
With the second bulletin lowering it even more I,m thinking I need to be at 125-130 an will adjust it when I get the new tire.

 

[KX5062]

Well, I thought I would revive a dead thread and share my experiences.

I was recently changing the rear tire according to Lamonster's excellent video, using his tip of disconnecting the rear shock, so as to not change any of the belt settings. I replaced the tire and buttoned things up and gave it a spin. And, what do it hear? A massive groaning from the belt in both directions. It's very obvious the belt is way way too tight.

I had bought the bike used and it had been serviced by a dealership 2 years, but only 500 miles before I bought it. The belt had been set by the dealership at that time. I now assume it was at the old specs and not the newer ones. After I had purchased the bike I checked everything over, including the finger belt twist. I thought it was too tight, but left it alone because I figured the dealers knew best and I didn't want to screw it up, plus it seemed to work okay.

This was the first time I had jacked up the bike and spun the rear tire, so it was the first time I heard the loud belt groan, so I knew I had to do something about it.

I already had a Krik-it II, so I read up on it, what little there is, and decided to check it before making any changes.

With the bike on the ground I checked the tension at several places on the top part of the belt and settled on the mid point as being the most accurate. At that point I was getting a consistent reading of over 200#. So taking care to adjust both sides of the swingarm equally, I turned the adjusters 1/4 turn and then rechecked the readings. After a 1/4 turn I now got a consistent reading of 180#. I then loosened it another 1/4 turn each, and took another set of readings. It now reads a consistent 160# as mentioned several times in this thread.

It no longer groaned, but honestly to me it still feels too tight. I decided to leave it and take it for a spin. I don't notice any less vibration as reported, but it does seem to shift cleaner and when backing is much quieter. I thought all of the noise when backing was brake squeal, but I now realize that much of the noise was the belt groaning.

So for now I'm going to leave it at #160, but I may get a bug and try a little looser, maybe around 140#, but for now it's good enough. :thumbup: