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Gates Krikit II Belt Tension Gauges

Horrible vibration, belt is in spec?

Just got my Krikit II. I have a 2012 RT, and recently at speeds between about 62-68MPH, when riding 2-up, it develops a horrible vibration from the rear end. I have read that this is fairly common and can be caused by the belt tension being too low.

I measured it with the wheel off the ground and get 140 lb, and on the ground 160 lb. So based on the chart posted here for a 2012, that's not too bad.

Do my numbers look about right for a 2012 998cc RT? I'm not sure what else could be the culprit. I'd think that if it were tire balance issues, I'd feel it regardless of one or two up. I also have Ride-On in the tires, and no wheel weights on the bike. However, it's always been pretty smooth in the three years I've had it, but recently this vibration means riding 2-up is out of the question.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions!
 
jfischer said:
Just got my Krikit II. I have a 2012 RT, and recently at speeds between about 62-68MPH, when riding 2-up, it develops a horrible vibration from the rear end. I have read that this is fairly common and can be caused by the belt tension being too low.

I measured it with the wheel off the ground and get 140 lb, and on the ground 160 lb. So based on the chart posted here for a 2012, that's not too bad.

Do my numbers look about right for a 2012 998cc RT? I'm not sure what else could be the culprit. I'd think that if it were tire balance issues, I'd feel it regardless of one or two up. I also have Ride-On in the tires, and no wheel weights on the bike. However, it's always been pretty smooth in the three years I've had it, but recently this vibration means riding 2-up is out of the question.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions!
Click to expand...

Is the vibration a new event or has it done it for some time?
 
BajaRon said:
Is the vibration a new event or has it done it for some time?
Click to expand...

I don't recall it happening until recently. Bike has almost 9,000 miles on it. It doesn't do it at all if it's just me on the bike. I re-rode the same places where it shook so bad with 2 up, and it was smooth - no vibrations. So that's why I suspected the belt, since additional weight on the bike would change the belt loading - but I guess it would actually get tighter with 2-up than 1?

With the wheel off the ground, I can pretty easily rotate the belt 90 degrees though. But the Krikit measurements seem roughly in line with what it should be for a 2012? I can't imagine that it being too tight would cause oscillations, but based on the krikit wheel-raised measurements, it's tighter than the 100 pound spec. Plus I assumed that as the belt gets up there in mileage that it would only stretch, making it looser than it was before when I didn't have this vibration issue.

Also, when I say "vibration", I don't mean a constant, buzzing type of thing. This feels like the rear tire is bouncing up and down, thump-thump-thump, and in a corner feels like the rear wheel is bouncing off the asphalt a little bit.

I thought maybe the Ride-On had solidified, and had created a solid mass inside the tire. But if that were the case, I can't explain why it doesn't do this when riding by myself.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
jfischer said:
I don't recall it happening until recently. Bike has almost 9,000 miles on it. It doesn't do it at all if it's just me on the bike. I re-rode the same places where it shook so bad with 2 up, and it was smooth - no vibrations. So that's why I suspected the belt, since additional weight on the bike would change the belt loading - but I guess it would actually get tighter with 2-up than 1?

With the wheel off the ground, I can pretty easily rotate the belt 90 degrees though. But the Krikit measurements seem roughly in line with what it should be for a 2012? I can't imagine that it being too tight would cause oscillations, but based on the krikit wheel-raised measurements, it's tighter than the 100 pound spec. Plus I assumed that as the belt gets up there in mileage that it would only stretch, making it looser than it was before when I didn't have this vibration issue.

Also, when I say "vibration", I don't mean a constant, buzzing type of thing. This feels like the rear tire is bouncing up and down, thump-thump-thump, and in a corner feels like the rear wheel is bouncing off the asphalt a little bit.

I thought maybe the Ride-On had solidified, and had created a solid mass inside the tire. But if that were the case, I can't explain why it doesn't do this when riding by myself.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If it is the belt you will get a buzz feeling for a bit as you travel through the oscillation zone. The Buzz is feeling the vibration, not a sound. The only way you can get it to buzz continuously is to stay in that (usually 500 rpm) vibration zone. It will build from nothing, apex at a certain RPM and then dissipate as you increase RPM.

A tire out of balance is a much slower, heavier movement and it will usually increase in intensity as vehicle speed is increased. Ride-On will settle in the bottom of the tire if the Spyder sits for a length of time. But this out of balance condition will go away after a few miles if this is the case.

With more weight on the back your belt is tighter. But it will also tend to subdue an out of balance issue with increased weight on the tire.

It could also be a bearing failure issue.
 
NON-VIBRATION

Well you are going to find this interesting.....I have NO VIBRATION.....I have a 2014 RT......My Kritkit reads 200 lbs ....on the ground.....and Yes I know this is waaaaaaay below spec..............but I'm Happy and I imagine so is the Belt..................and I don't have a Belt tensioner.......I also Have not balanced the rear Michelin Tire.................go figure................Mike :thumbup:
 
BajaRon said:
If it is the belt you will get a buzz feeling for a bit as you travel through the oscillation zone. The Buzz is feeling the vibration, not a sound. The only way you can get it to buzz continuously is to stay in that (usually 500 rpm) vibration zone. It will build from nothing, apex at a certain RPM and then dissipate as you increase RPM.

A tire out of balance is a much slower, heavier movement and it will usually increase in intensity as vehicle speed is increased. Ride-On will settle in the bottom of the tire if the Spyder sits for a length of time. But this out of balance condition will go away after a few miles if this is the case.

With more weight on the back your belt is tighter. But it will also tend to subdue an out of balance issue with increased weight on the tire.

It could also be a bearing failure issue.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've experienced the Ride-On settling issue, but that quickly fades away - especially in warm weather. So unless the Ride-On has coagulated into a solid mass in there, I doubt it's the issue.

Typically I have not experienced wheel balance only presenting itself at a certain speed, but is generally noticeable at all speeds. However, at this point I am willing to try anything.

The rear tire is down to its first set of wear bars, so I am fine with just getting a new tire, old-fashioned weight balance for now, and maybe even replacing the bearings. I have the extended warranty, do you know if bearings are covered? Or if they aren't that expensive, there's a guy in town I think that specializes in replacing rear tires/bearings in the Spyder that i just might use instead.

What's the typical lifespan of the belt? Bike is 3 years old, 9,000 miles. Maybe just get that replaced too as part of this whole operation.
 
LIFESPAN

Belt = 250,000 miles +.............Bearings , it depends on who made yours and if they are Tues. or Fri. bearings ????.............Mike :thumbup:
 
jfischer said:
Yeah, I've experienced the Ride-On settling issue, but that quickly fades away - especially in warm weather. So unless the Ride-On has coagulated into a solid mass in there, I doubt it's the issue.

Typically I have not experienced wheel balance only presenting itself at a certain speed, but is generally noticeable at all speeds. However, at this point I am willing to try anything.

The rear tire is down to its first set of wear bars, so I am fine with just getting a new tire, old-fashioned weight balance for now, and maybe even replacing the bearings. I have the extended warranty, do you know if bearings are covered? Or if they aren't that expensive, there's a guy in town I think that specializes in replacing rear tires/bearings in the Spyder that i just might use instead.

What's the typical lifespan of the belt? Bike is 3 years old, 9,000 miles. Maybe just get that replaced too as part of this whole operation.
Click to expand...

Could also be a cord separation in the tire. Balance can be out at certain tire RPM. It isn't necessarily going to continue to get worse with increased speed. It depends.
 
jfischer said:
Yeah, I've experienced the Ride-On settling issue, but that quickly fades away - especially in warm weather. So unless the Ride-On has coagulated into a solid mass in there, I doubt it's the issue.

Typically I have not experienced wheel balance only presenting itself at a certain speed, but is generally noticeable at all speeds. However, at this point I am willing to try anything.

The rear tire is down to its first set of wear bars, so I am fine with just getting a new tire, old-fashioned weight balance for now, and maybe even replacing the bearings. I have the extended warranty, do you know if bearings are covered? Or if they aren't that expensive, there's a guy in town I think that specializes in replacing rear tires/bearings in the Spyder that i just might use instead.

What's the typical lifespan of the belt? Bike is 3 years old, 9,000 miles. Maybe just get that replaced too as part of this whole operation.
Click to expand...

At that mileage, there it something wrong. The rear wheel is out of alignment, the belt tension is to high, or the rear tire is out of balance or all three. That's IMHO.


Mike
 
Thanks guys. I think I'll start with replacing the tire since it's at the first set of wear bars anyway and go from there. Guess it would be prudent to have the bearings replace too as long as we're in there.
 
Replacing suspected parts can be an expensive method of elimination. But if I were going to do it that way I think I'd start in the same place given the information.
 
some of the best money you'll ever spend. I bought mine even before I took delivery of my Spyder just on the information I read on this website.
 
Krikit II Usage Question

Hi All,

The Krikit II I sourced from NAPA has a ridge on the lower bottom edge for holding against the edge of the belt.

With the 2011 RT drive belt (vs. a serpentine belt the gauge was designed for), using the Krikit on the edge causes the belt to twist when taking a reading (about 160 with wheel on the ground).

Placing the gauge in the center of the belt, which does not allow the gauge to sit parallel to the belt, does not twist the belt when taking a reading, but typically reads 170-180.

What is the proper method?

Thanks!

Joe
 
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