Belt tolerance - how close to the tire side flange should it be?

[Plarimer]

I’ve been trying to post a photo of my belt on the rear sprocket, but I can’t get it to upload. I have a 2016 RTSE6, And the belt is directly touching the right side of the rear sprocket as you look at it from the rear. It’s almost a double entendre. I was just wondering if it should be touching that side of the sprocket or should it be more in the middle.

Thanks so much, Peter

 

[RICZ]

There should be a 2mm gap between the belt and the flange. The thickness of a credit card.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Your drive belt should be maybe a credit card's thickness clear of that inside flange; but seriously, if it's juuust touching, and there's no sign of fraying or excess wear on the inside edge of the belt (a bit of a polish is fine, but frayed/exposed/raw edges aren't!) then you're probably best off just to leave well enough alone - at least until the next time you need to change the rear tire/have to remove/re-align/re-tension the belt! :lecturef_smilie:

Those belts are pretty tough, and they DO move around on the pulleys a little thru normal usage. Just check out where the belt is on the rear sprocket, then back up a few yards and check it again - it's probably going to have moved a bit. Now run it forwards again... is it in exactly the same place it was before the reversing bit?!? Maybe? Maybe not? :dontknow: You can get suckered in to chasing your own tail down an endless rabbit hole trying to get the belt location absolutely correct; only to find that stuffs up the belt tension, or its position changes on your very first ryde afterwards!! :gaah: So why subject yourself to needless angst?!

There's no denying, these belts move on the sprocket during operation, especially on the rear sprocket &/or reversing! So what you are seeing right now may well be just a factor of how you slowed down & came to a stop - but if it's not causing any undue wear on the inside of the belt, then let it be until you MUST do something else that involves removing/adjusting/replacing/re-tensioning the belt! Don't buy more trouble before you need to!

Ryde More, Worry Less! hyea:

Just get out there and enjoy your Spyder! :thumbup:

 

[billybovine]

From the service manual.

 

[Plarimer]

Thanks so much, as it is just touching with no indication of inside wear. That’s about where my Harley belt used to be also but I wasn’t sure on the RT. Peter

 

[JayBros]

Read pg 136-137 0f your operator's guide.

 

[Plarimer]

Well Jay, you finally talked me into it. I’m going out to the dealer and buy a manual. Mine did not come with one but maybe it’s about time I did some studying. Men have to read directions?

 

[JayBros]

You don't have to buy one if you don't want to. Go to this link and drill down to your year and model and save it to your computer: https://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=e&s1=cbc9f68c-8ad9-48ab-bf1c-8a3788188281&brands=roadster&type=og.

I seldom look at my hard copy that stays on my Spyder but have the link bookmarked to help answer questions from other owners.

 

[WilcoJunoHotel]

Your drive belt should be maybe a credit card's thickness clear of that inside flange; but seriously, if it's juuust touching, and there's no sign of fraying or excess wear on the inside edge of the belt (a bit of a polish is fine, but frayed/exposed/raw edges aren't!) then you're probably best off just to leave well enough alone - at least until the next time you need to change the rear tire/have to remove/re-align/re-tension the belt! :lecturef_smilie:

Those belts are pretty tough, and they DO move around on the pulleys a little thru normal usage. Just check out where the belt is on the rear sprocket, then back up a few yards and check it again - it's probably going to have moved a bit. Now run it forwards again... is it in exactly the same place it was before the reversing bit?!? Maybe? Maybe not? :dontknow: You can get suckered in to chasing your own tail down an endless rabbit hole trying to get the belt location absolutely correct; only to find that stuffs up the belt tension, or its position changes on your very first ryde afterwards!! :gaah: So why subject yourself to needless angst?!

There's no denying, these belts move on the sprocket during operation, especially on the rear sprocket &/or reversing! So what you are seeing right now may well be just a factor of how you slowed down & came to a stop - but if it's not causing any undue wear on the inside of the belt, then let it be until you MUST do something else that involves removing/adjusting/replacing/re-tensioning the belt! Don't buy more trouble before you need to!

I just changed the rear tire on my 2020RT and did the job myself (except for the tire mounting) and I concur that the belt will move slightly. It will also move when you tighten down the axle nut so you have to account for that when you torque it down. I had mine set at 2mm after torqueing it down and a 30 mile test ride but it has managed to move to about 4mm now after 500 miles.

Now that I have done it and know what it entails adjusting the axle, I would not mess with it unless it was riding on the outer part of the pulley rather than the inner part.

Also, unless you have the strength to loosen that axle nut and retorque it back to 160 ft-lb, I would leave the job to the dealer.

 

[Little Blue]

Drive Belt

...:agree:... leave the belt as it is. This will be ok. :thumbup:

 

[Peteoz]

Thanks so much, as it is just touching with no indication of inside wear. That’s about where my Harley belt used to be also but I wasn’t sure on the RT. Peter

Mine has been in that position for 4 years with no adverse effect, Peter. :thumbup:

Pete

 

[Plarimer]

Thanks guys I appreciate it.