Drive belt tension and belt alignment

[spyderCodes]

It might look like the belt "wals all over the pulley" if you can't discern camera shake from belt walk.
But I suppose it is subjective.
The belt appears to be in the same place from start frame and end frame.
If it moves, the movement is minor. IMHO

 

[Roadster Renovations]

What do y'all think...to me, the belt is not properly aligned. What should I do, if anything?

First picture is the rear sprocket and position...basically the belt in the center (about two credit cards wide in spacing)
Second picture is the front sprocket and the belt is pushed up against the outside flange.

Not sure if this is allowable or will cause problems, but this all occurred after the dealership replaced my rear tire. Could use some help with the spec sheet or something in writing from Can-Am describing the allowable position and tolerances. I may have to use that to go back to the dealer...Thanks.

Looked at your pictures and you are right, it is just slightly too far out. You can tell by the front pulley. Belt is against or almost against the outside. One thing to remember; you have to check after you have been going forward. If you back, even a little bit, you cannot go by that as the belt will shift going backwards.

 

[GeorgiaBill]

That's the one I have, also missing the attachment for the example of belt harmonic vibration.

-Bill

Is that the PDF with the harmonics graphs. The version I have is missing an attachment I believe.

 

[GeorgiaBill]

I'm stuck with the belt alignment

I adjusted the right side 1/4 turn clockwise and the belt was still on the flange after rotating the wheel at least 3 complete revolutions of the belt. So I started the engine, engaged the clutch and spun the wheel a few seconds.

I repeated this a second time... and a third... and a 10th time. Still no separation. After the 11th adjustment, the belt finally moved off the flange and the left edge of the belt had moved too far from the flange.

I kind of panicked, concerned the belt would come off completely. I reversed 9 of these adjustments, got the belt back to the flange and started again (insanity, doing the same thing and expecting different results).

I am now at 6 total 1/4 turn adjustments and don't know what to do. For adjustments 3 thru 6, I rotated the wheel 3 complete belt rotations forward, 3 back, 3 forward by hand, started the engine and gradually released the clutch in first gear for several seconds.

This doesn't make any sense to me, and I'm concerned that the belt might come off completely while riding.

Any suggestions? Thanks so much.

-Bill

 

[spyderCodes]

After you make the adjustment, a gentle tap on the adjusting bolt with a small hammer seats the adjustment.
At least that's how I have done it.

 

[Bob Denman]

I am now at 6 total 1/4 turn adjustments and don't know what to do.
Bill

:shocked: To my simple mind: that sounds about like one and a-half total turns of adjustments... :yikes:
...In a place where 1/8 of a turn, is actually pretty big! :yikes:

At this point: you should perhaps call in some professional help... nojoke

 

[GeorgiaBill]

No Simple Mind

Bob, your mind is far from simple, and your math in spot on. I feel everyone makes these small adjustments and mine have been huge.

Maybe I better get an appointment for service.

Thanks all for your help.

-Bill

:shocked: To my simple mind: that sounds about like one and a-half total turns of adjustments... :yikes:
...In a place where 1/8 of a turn, is actually pretty big! :yikes:

At this point: you should perhaps call in some professional help... nojoke

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I adjusted the right side 1/4 turn clockwise and the belt was still on the flange after rotating the wheel at least 3 complete revolutions of the belt. So I started the engine, engaged the clutch and spun the wheel a few seconds.

I repeated this a second time... and a third... and a 10th time. Still no separation. After the 11th adjustment, the belt finally moved off the flange and the left edge of the belt had moved too far from the flange.

I kind of panicked, concerned the belt would come off completely. I reversed 9 of these adjustments, got the belt back to the flange and started again (insanity, doing the same thing and expecting different results).

I am now at 6 total 1/4 turn adjustments and don't know what to do. For adjustments 3 thru 6, I rotated the wheel 3 complete belt rotations forward, 3 back, 3 forward by hand, started the engine and gradually released the clutch in first gear for several seconds.

This doesn't make any sense to me, and I'm concerned that the belt might come off completely while riding.

Any suggestions? Thanks so much.

-Bill

Did you tighten the axle nut after each adjustment? Is so you are encountering the same frustration I had. Tightening the axle nut moves the axle because there is no stop to keep it from moving rearward. The adjusting bolt and block only keep it from moving forward.

 

[GeorgiaBill]

I haven't tightened the nut at all, just trying to get the belt off the flange and then tighten. I think I'm having more difficulty than you had.

-Bill

Did you tighten the axle nut after each adjustment? Is so you are encountering the same frustration I had. Tightening the axle nut moves the axle because there is no stop to keep it from moving rearward. The adjusting bolt and block only keep it from moving forward.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I haven't tightened the nut at all, just trying to get the belt off the flange and then tighten. I think I'm having more difficulty than you had.

-Bill

A 1/4 turn may be too much when you are at the sweet spot. It takes bloomin' little axle movement to go all the way flange to edge!

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[Roadster Renovations]

I make my adjustments in 1/8 turn increments. I tighten and seat (light tap with the hammer) and ryde it a few blocks and then check. That is what I was trying to say, I could not get an accurate reading on where the belt went by jacking it up and running the bike. It always was not right when I rode it after. I adjust, seat and tighten, short ryde, and then check. Only way I have found to do it correctly.

 

[GeorgiaBill]

The adjustments continue

The adjustments continue, after talking to Paul - PMK fron Royal Palm Beach. I dialed the right side back to where I started and made 2 1/4 inch adjustments clockwise, tapped the right side nut, and snugged the right side nut. Don't see any deflection off the flange yet, but I'll ride around the block and continue early tomorrow morning.

Had a 36mm wrench delivered from Amazon by USPS which is generally less than acceptable. Their site claimed the package was placed near my front door. Not there. Walked down to the mail box. Nope. My son and I share a driveway, and I checked his front door and patio door. Nope. Decided to check my neighbor whose driveway and mailbox are 300+ feet up from mine. Found it. USPS delivers again.:clap::clap:

-Bill

 

[GeorgiaBill]

A salute to Paul

A salute to Paul (PMK). As per his suggestion, I tapped the nut, snugged the nut, and rode in a straight line and the belt moved too much after about 200 feet in my driveway. I'll dial back to a single 1/4 clockwise adjustment and iterate the process until the belt looks good.

Thanks so much Paul. :clap::clap::clap:

-Bill

 

[Brian Kay]

Bill, I'll be coming to see you since you have all this experience now making adjustments...glad to hear that you're getting the results you hoped for.

 

[GeorgiaBill]

Brian, you're welcome any time. Morning works best, it's hot in my garage and my son has "stuff" in his drive under basement.

That 36mm wrench is awesome. We bought a 36mm socket several years ago to replace the timing belt and water pump on my daughter's car but the muffler prohibits using it.

 

[Brian Kay]

Brian, you're welcome any time. Morning works best, it's hot in my garage and my son has "stuff" in his drive under basement.

That 36mm wrench is awesome. We bought a 36mm socket several years ago to replace the timing belt and water pump on my daughter's car but the muffler prohibits using it.

Bill,
Heading over tomorrow morning...have the coffee ready, I'm bringing donuts.