Belt tracking - mind of its own!

[Stuart49]

Even before I took delivery of my Spyder SE #445 in Dec. 08 I purchased the special Gates sonic tension meter from my power trans equip supplier. I'm an engineer and quite anal so I knew I had to have this tool to satisfy my concerns about the belt tension. No little 'clicker' from NAPA would suffice!

Of course I measured the tension early on and found it to be much higher than many of us thought necessary. When I tried to re-tension to a lower value I simply could not get the belt to track just slightly away from the pulley flange. I tried jacking up the rear wheel and running in 3rd gear to 'dynamically' track the belt. I took it out for short test rides. Always, when I retorqued the axle the tension increased, sometimes more than 100N. Regardless of my method the belt always came to rest against the flange, though not climbing or marking it, so I figured this was the best I could do. When helping a friend with his belt, we got it to stay 1/8" off the flange. I even rode back up to Buffalo (240 mi each way) to the dealer who delivered it, to see if their guys could track it better. No luck.

Yesterday (with 12,800 miles on the clock) I loosened the belt to remove the front drive pulley so that I could replace the Gear Postion Sensor. I was extra careful to loosen each side adjuster, and I re-tightened them less by 1/4 turn. Once I retorqued the axle my tension meter indicated 820N, less than the 1150N from original adjustments. Took it around the block a few times and the belt stayed against the flange. Took a longer ride today, about 30 miles on the interstate, and when I exited I noticed that the belt was overhanging the outer edge of the rear pulley by about 1/4" - WTF! I have basic tools with me at all times, including a specially fabricated socket and handle for the axle, but decided to ride more slowly on a two-laner, and after a few miles the belt was back against the flange. Hopped back on the interstate and rode the 20 miles home - still against the flange. After the bike cooled down I rechecked the tension with my sonic meter - now it is 590N. How'd that happen?

I suppose it is OK now, and with lower tension and no more 'groaning' at low speeds. But seeing that belt hanging off the other side of the pulley really put me off. Any ideas why this would happen?

Thanks, Stuart

 

[NancysToy]

My suspicion is that when you replaced it and adjusted it, some debris got under the belt, and threw things off until it worked its way out. Possibly a piece of belt rubber from wear, or a small stone or stick. No real way to know, all you can do is monitor it for a while. All this presumes (bad word!) that your swingarm bushings/bearings are in good shape.
-Scotty

 

[mike3069]

I've been running a "low" tension for a lonnnng time. Over 10000 miles. What you experienced is what I see quit a bit. The belt will randomly wander around on the rear pulley a lot. But, the growl is gone and the rear tire rolls freely. So far I have no negative's to report.

 

[Wichita Mikey]

Belt tracking

I had the same problem :gaah: Try this it work for me. Jack up the rear wheel. losen the axel nuts,set the clearence to 2.250 mm from the flange. then at ideal and in 1st gear. Tighten the axel nuts slowly - not to tightjust snug. Pull in the cluch and stop the rear tire then put it in reverse then release to ideal. The belt will track to the flange.Stop the rear wheel, take it out of reverse then place it back in 1st and see if the belt tracks back to your first setting. Repeat to get the setting you want. the last time in ideal in 1st tighten the axels nuts tight. Stop the wheel lower to the ground then tight again tight. PS. 3rd gear is to fast to get the clearence you want. After you think you have the setting you want then try the 3rd gear to see the tracking :2thumbs: Good luck

 

[Firefly]

Never touched it or paid attention to it. I'll let the dealer mess with it if need be. No noise, keeps me going forward or backward as designed - and has never come off - that's all I need to know about it.

 

[Lamonster]

I wish we lived closer Bro. I just did mine again when I installed the new GPS sensor and had no problems. Here's what I did.

Check tension
Jack the Spyder off the ground
Loosen axle nut without removing cotter pin
Back out adjusting bolts two full turns on each side (marked the socket)
Removed belt and pulley
Installed GPS sensor
Installed belt and pulley
Tighten left side then right side one full turn then left and right side one full turn again
Tighten axle
Run the Spyder on jack in first gear at idle and reverse at idle
Drop on the ground and take test drive
Belt was over to the left
Tighten left bolt 1/4 turn
Jack Spyder and loosen axle
Run in first at idle
Belt tracked to the right
Tighten axle and take for test drive
Check belt and is back in perfect alinement
Check belt tension

That was it Bro. Here's the pic

 

[ataDude]

.
One more thing that helps...

Position the wrench on the right side UNDER the axle nut so that you pull it toward you to tighten. That way you're pulling toward the "stops" instead of pushing to the front.

If I recall, the adjusters have slots in them for the axle and there is enough slop to be able to "push" the axle forward if you're positioning the wrench on the top.

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