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Belt Tensioner

Nudels2u75

New member
Which of the belt Tensioners are the better one to buy, can somebody give me the name brand and the model number...My belt is so loose that I believe that it is jumping the sprocket, and it makes that terrible noise on take-offs....
 
If you think it's jumping off the sprocket , the best is to take it to your dealer and have them fix the problem.

This is not normal that the belt jump off.
 
If you think it's jumping off the sprocket , the best is to take it to your dealer and have them fix the problem.

This is not normal that the belt jump off.

:agree: Your belt needs to be looked at ASAP. If it is jumping off the sprocket, it can cause serious issues later and a belt tensioner is NOT the solution. The purpose of the belt tensioner is to MAINTAIN it in tension, but if it is so loose it needs to be fixed by adjusting the sprokets and tighten the belt per Service Manual.
 
PMCS Required

go get it adjusted if you have not chipped a handful of teeth already.

If you have chipped a handful off already get ready to purchase a new Cogsworth drive belt.

Go to the spyderlovers.com home page and click on "smoothspyder" in the middle of the page. Support a sponsor.


 
Just dropped it off at stealership today

It is new about 6 months old and I only have 10,000 miles on it....they are doing full service, recall on oil compartment, new back tire, air horn, recall on trailer wheel bearings,

Fix the belt. It feels like the front sprocket is loose or something, not exactly sure...But I wanted them to install the tensioner anyway as I do not like the way you get that vibration feeling

And there is a emergency brake fault, that will not go off and will not allow you to set it...

And a slow drain on the battery for some reason.
 
It is almost impossible to get a belt to jump teeth on the sprocket unless the belt had damaged or missing teeth. I'd inspect your belt ASAP. In all likelyhood, your problem lies elsewhere. I'd supect that your front sprocket and output shaft are shot, and the sprocket is moving on the shaft. A belt tensioner will not do you any good at this point. Have the Spyder serviced by a qualified technician. Replacement of the belt, replacement of the sprocket and/or output shaft, or even an adjustment of the belt to the latest factory specs using a sonic meter would be far better use of the money.
 
Have to agree..!!

:agree: and Scotty too...after repaired try smoothryder. You can see it at the sponsor page works well had it for some time now..!! :thumbup:
 
Call Jim

Call Jim with Smooth Spyder. I installed the Smooth Spyder on my RTS and have been very happy. It makes a slight turbo whine as you tach up. You can find Jim on our home page.
 
Is this something that can be easly installed

Do you have to diassemble to intall this tensioner, Or does it just bolt on easly like the dirt bikes do, I am currently working 6 days a week and 12 hours a day..
 
Easy

Do you have to diassemble to intall this tensioner, Or does it just bolt on easly like the dirt bikes do, I am currently working 6 days a week and 12 hours a day..

I have the RTS and I had to jack up the front and rear of the Spyder about 8 inches to allow me to drill two holes. Also I had to remove the belt guard and cut off about 4 inches for clearance. I used a hack saw to trim the belt guard. I used two plastic drive on ramps to get the front tires up and a floor jack for the rear. Directions are easy to follow and the job took me about 1 hour. You do not have to remove the belt. On some Spyders the tensioner is a clamp on, but the RTS requires two holes to be drilled. Call Captain Jim. I am sure you will be happy with his product.
 
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I have the RTS and I had to jack up the front and rear of the Spyder about 8 inches to allow me to drill two holes. Also I had to remove the belt guard and cut off about 4 inches for clearance. I used a hack saw to trim the belt guard. I used two plastic drive on ramps to get the front tires up and a floor jack for the rear. Directions are easy to follow and the job took me about 1 hour. You do not have to remove the belt. On some Spyders the tensioner is a clamp on, but the RTS requires two holes to be drilled. Call Captain Jim. I am sure you will be happy with his product.

I just installed the the smoothspyder on my 2012 RT-LTD. It got rid of my belt vibration. The Soyder is now quieter than ever. Coming off a 2008 Goldwing, I was a little disappointed in the buzzing and vibrating of the Spyder. It is not Goldwing smooth (and never can be) but it is much better. I believe that the smoothspyder is money well spent if you notice the vibrations. Installation is straight forward but takes a little time to get it right.
 
belt tensioner queston

Back to the original posters queston..."Which of the belt tensioners are the better one to buy?" I decided to order the Gates klicket one last night from amazon. Not sure how good it is, but its the one Lamonster used in his, Do It Your Self thread.(Titled RT hitch removel and belt adjustment) Also I might add I just got the 2013 spyder service manual and in it, it says the belt tension now for the 2013 is 1050 newtons...2008-2012 is still 450 newtons.. Now for my question...In the same Lamonster, Do It Yourself Thread.. "Spyderfun" says: To convert Newtons to pounds...Multiply by .225, which comes out to 236.25 lbs...I hope. Can someone reply if this is still so? Anyway when I go down to pick up my new spyder, I'm going to have the dealer recheck the belt tension, then I'll compare that with my "Gates Klicker".... (Got the 100-320 lb one).
 
Are we getting confused between tools that measure the belt tension & accessories you install to keep the belt constantly tensioned?

I have the Krikit & find it to be no help

I have the SmoothSpyder tensioner & love it. No more vibrations.
 
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It's easy to get confused. In the first place, the SmoothSpyder and other belt "tensioners" are not really tensioners. They do not adjust the belt tension at the relatively low pressure they apply...they are serving as idlers in this application, taking out the belt slack on the return run.

The Krikit and other devices of that nature are not "tensioners" either. They are tension gauges, that measure the tension of the belt.
 
Are we getting confused between tools that measure the belt tension & accessories you install to constantly keep the belt constantly tensioned?

I have the Kikit & find it to be no help

I have the SmoothSpyder tensioner & love it. No more vibrations.

Yep...I thought the OP was talking about the tool, but after rereading it, I see its about the bolt on.
 
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