F3 Lower Drive Belt tension reduces Vibration level

[spyderyderjim]

Hi All,
1. Adjusting 2015/16 F3, T & Ltd Drive Belt tension lower to 180# on Krikit gauge will reduce vibration level.
2. (F3 stock belt specs are too high); that is why so many F3 owners after several thousand miles notice less belt vibs because of belt settling to a lower tension.
3. 2015 F3 owners need to install stiffer rear shock/spring to raise rear ride height; (a rear sag height of 2-3" when sitting is too much, putting more tension on drive belt).
4. Installing a Elka rear shock with stiffer spring will raise rear ride height back up to normal 1" rear sag.
(I have a Elka rear shock with Hyperco 800# single spring 8" long x 2.25 ID), 1" sag rear ride height).
(http://www.hypercoils.com/conventional-springs). (Hpyerco 650-800# spring driver only; 900# spring depending on if you ride double all the time).
(2015 F3 stock rear shock spring is 360#).
5. 2016 F3 T & Ltd owners just need to put more air 30-90# in rear air bladder to raise rear ride height to about 1" rear sag.
6. F3 Vibration blog June 2015 post #46 by sledman gives excellent info on lowering drive belt vibrations.
7. I don't have drive belt vibs on MY 2015 F3S SE6 Touring mod Spyder with 19,000 miles riding experience, 180# Krikit reading, F3S on the ground.
Enjoy your rydes.
Jim

 

[Sarge707]

I have 160 on the cricket, F3 on the ground and have Virtually NO vibration unless I sit at 4,000 RPM or 69-70 MPH Which Is very Rare for me because I drive back roads and do not drive across the country? Lower tension is better as Far as I am concerned?nojoke

 

[james8luc8]

Hi All,
1. Adjusting 2015/16 F3, T & Ltd Drive Belt tension lower to 180# on Krikit gauge will reduce vibration level.
2. (F3 stock belt specs are too high); that is why so many F3 owners after several thousand miles notice less belt vibs because of belt settling to a lower tension.
3. 2015 F3 owners need to install stiffer rear shock/spring to raise rear ride height; (a rear sag height of 2-3" when sitting is too much, putting more tension on drive belt).
4. Installing a Elka rear shock with stiffer spring will raise rear ride height back up to normal 1" rear sag.
(I have a Elka rear shock with Hyperco 800# single spring 8" long x 2.25 ID), 1" sag rear ride height).
(http://www.hypercoils.com/conventional-springs). (Hpyerco 650-800# spring driver only; 900# spring depending on if you ride double all the time).
(2015 F3 stock rear shock spring is 360#).
5. 2016 F3 T & Ltd owners just need to put more air 30-90# in rear air bladder to raise rear ride height to about 1" rear sag.
6. F3 Vibration blog June 2015 post #46 by sledman gives excellent info on lowering drive belt vibrations.
7. I don't have drive belt vibs on MY 2015 F3S SE6 Touring mod Spyder with 19,000 miles riding experience, 180# Krikit reading, F3S on the ground.
Enjoy your rydes.
Jim

Ya i purchased all the tools to align the belt and set the tension this weekend gonna set it to 180 on krikit like you - just for fun i tried the krikit today underneath the belt and they have it so tight I dont get a reading on the krikit lol

 

[warrensr]

Just set my belt tension with a krikit gauge with the wheel off the ground at 180 and most of my vibration went away. Can roll the throttle in 6th gear from 45mph to 75 mph and only get a little vibration between 72-75. Going to try two up to see if more weight changes the vibration.

 

[Wildrice]

Drive belt tension

Do those of you who reduced the dirve belt tension & resulted in less vibration still have the "Add on roller tensioners" attached? I can imagine how excessive tension can cause a strain & vibration. Just ordered the krikit gauge. Will let you know my before & after results. What is the current # recommendation for the 2015 F3's? Thanks for the tip--it make sense, plus saves wear on the belt & involved bearings.
Darrell

 

[warrensr]

Just set my belt tension with a krikit gauge with the wheel off the ground at 180 and most of my vibration went away. Can roll the throttle in 6th gear from 45mph to 75 mph and only get a little vibration between 72-75. Going to try two up to see if more weight changes the vibration.

Just set my belt tension from 180 to 160 with the krikit gauge and the wheel off the ground and 98 percent of the vibration went away. Can roll the throttle in 6th gear from 45mph to 80 miles mph and if the bike had come that way I would have never complained to the dealer. Did anybody do this and have any problems with the belt.

 

[papanorm]

My 2016 F3 L has about 700N on the belt from the dealer and running a Smoothspyder too. I am about to schedule my first 3000 mile service with the dealer and will ask to have the tension lowered some. I still get some vibration at 67-70mph. Otherwise about 90% better with this setup.


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[Tango]

Dealer lowered the tension at the initial service. Made a huge difference! :clap: Tom :spyder: