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I need more info to set Belt Tension - anyone help?

S

SteveMindi

New member
I have read a couple of older threads on Spyder Belt Tension. They mention lower belt tension specs but My wife has a 2019 RT Limited and I have a 2018 F3-T. The manual states belt tension of 1050 +/- 150N....this is much higher than other stated numbers...the TST quoted was written in 2015 so doesn't apply to these newer spiders. I asked dealership and it said the 1050 N tension is correct. What is correct?

Also I purchased a Trummeter Pro to measure belt tension. It needs the density (mass) of the belt in kg/m. It also wants the free span of the belt. Anybody know these numbers/specifications? The numbers from the dealer do not make sense, ie, 8g for the belt density translates to .008 Kg which doesnt make sense.
 
SteveMindi said:
I have read a couple of older threads on Spyder Belt Tension. They mention lower belt tension specs but My wife has a 2019 RT Limited and I have a 2018 F3-T. The manual states belt tension of 1050 +/- 150N....this is much higher than other stated numbers...the TST quoted was written in 2015 so doesn't apply to these newer spiders. I asked dealership and it said the 1050 N tension is correct. What is correct?

Also I purchased a Trummeter Pro to measure belt tension. It needs the density (mass) of the belt in kg/m. It also wants the free span of the belt. Anybody know these numbers/specifications? The numbers from the dealer do not make sense, ie, 8g for the belt density translates to .008 Kg which doesnt make sense.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you bought a very complicated and possible expensive device..... I bought the KritKit II ( about $12.00 )( BajaRon ) and keep my belt approx. 160 lbs .... measured w / wheel on the ground ..... most folks here use that measurement and have noticed the belt vibes, go from none to almost none ...... good luck ..... Mike :thumbup:
 
The TST was written in 2015 for bikes that were experiencing harmonic belt vibrations. For your dealer to tell you that it does not apply to newer bikes is incorrect. The newer RTs use EXACTLY the SAME drive components as 2014 and 2015. If you are experiencing vibration (usually in the 60-70 MPH range) find a dealer who can read and understand the TST an adjust your belt tension accordingly. Or, better yet, Get a Krikit gauge and learn to DIY. That's what I did because my local dealer would not get his head to someplace where the sun DOES shine..... Jim
 
BLUEKNIGHT911 said:
Sounds like you bought a very complicated and possible expensive device..... I bought the KritKit II ( about $12.00 )( BajaRon ) and keep my belt approx. 160 lbs .... measured w / wheel on the ground ..... most folks here use that measurement and have noticed the belt vibes, go from none to almost none ...... good luck ..... Mike :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Sorry my post doesn't offer much help, but this is what I do too. If you choose to go the Krikit route someday.
 
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?124314-Sonic-Tension-Question&referrerid=34189

I got into the whole sonic tension thing, found out it is not worth the time. They took a relatively simple thing and made it complex. The Krikit II is simple and repeatable. One thing I will note is that I have bought the newest service manual for my model, the 2019, even though I have a 2018 RTL. But be aware there are 2 sets of specifications, one in the drive section they spec the 1050N ±150N, but in the back under Technical Specifications-Vehicle, page 4 under Drive Belt, it lists 775N ±150N, yet they never, ever seem to acknowledge this lower tension. even to the detriment of their customers.

I had to lower mine the the absolute minimum to get rid of most of my vibration. Seems like every Spyder is different, with the harmonics of the belt and frame interacting differently. You may have to hunt for the sweet spot. I found one once that had absolutely no vibrations, but upon removing the wheel and reinstalling it, and setting the tension back to the sweet spot it picked up vibration. Never found that same spot again.
 
My sweet spot for some reason is 180 on the ground measured with the Krikit II. Smooth as silk up to 90 mph which is where I stopped. I don't see riding above 90 for any prolonged time. Most are finding that smooth spot at a lower tension, but I went down to 130 in increments and the vibes got worse. The belt tension is like the gear whine, seems some have it and some don't:dontknow:
 
It is amazing that, as mentioned above, this very simple tension measurement process has been made, by some, so difficult, technical and EXPENSIVE! I tend to like the technical approach myself. As many times it is much more accurate. But you have 2 things at work here. First, a very wide 'Sweet Spot' window. At least according to BRP. A 150 + or - (in Newtons) converts to about + or - 34 lb. force. So we are not looking at a need for an extremely precise measurement to start with. Then, if you add a lot of technical steps to the process. You also add unneeded complexity which invites error (and again, unnecessary expense).

This is s video that I have posted before. But it bears watching to drive the points made above home. Even this simple demonstration of how to use the Krikit II belt tension gauge, makes it seem much more difficult than it really is. It is extremely easy to use, and repeatable outcomes are your guarantee that you are getting an accurate reading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z11wfc-0-hY
 
Last edited:
BajaRon said:
It is amazing that, as mentioned above, this very simple tension measurement process has been made, by some, so difficult, technical and EXPENSIVE! I tend to like the technical approach myself. As many times it is much more accurate. But you have 2 things at work here. First, a very wide 'Sweet Spot' window. At least according to BRP. A 150 + or - (in Newtons) converts to about + or - 34 lb. force. So we are not looking at a need for an extremely precise measurement to start with. Then, if you add a lot of technical steps to the process. You also add unneeded complexity which invites error (and again, unnecessary expense).

This is s video that I have posted before. But it bears watching to drive the points made above home. Even this simple demonstration of how to use the Krikit II belt tension gauge, makes it seem much more difficult than it really is. It is extremely easy to use, and repeatable outcomes are your guarantee that you are getting an accurate reading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z11wfc-0-hY
Click to expand...

:agree: Once I received my Kriket II from Ron it took me three hours to find my "sweet" spot. As I stated I went down to 130 on the ground with vibes still there and then went the other way to find 180 was my RT's happy place. Tension, alignment, test rides after each adjustment, all done in three hours. I have been twisting wrenches on motorcycles both for a living and for giggles for almost 50 years so I did have an idea of what I was doing before I started. I guess my point being; this isn't that complicated.
 
Navydad said:
:agree: Once I received my Kriket II from Ron it took me three hours to find my "sweet" spot. As I stated I went down to 130 on the ground with vibes still there and then went the other way to find 180 was my RT's happy place. Tension, alignment, test rides after each adjustment, all done in three hours. I have been twisting wrenches on motorcycles both for a living and for giggles for almost 50 years so I did have an idea of what I was doing before I started. I guess my point being; this isn't that complicated.
Click to expand...
:agree:

It is my belief that the sweet spot where you lose the maximum amount of belt vibration has a lot more factors than just belt tension. Belt alignment, where it runs on the pulley may also factor in. Tire pressure and wheel alignment (as it pertains to the rear wheel). Weight of the loaded bike. There are so many variables that the way Navydad did it is probably the best and simplest idea. That's how I eventually conquered the beast, and in the process removed my belt tensioner/vibration dampener.
 
BajaRon said:
This is s video that I have posted before. But it bears watching to drive the points made above home. Even this simple demonstration of how to use the Krikit II belt tension gauge, makes it seem much more difficult than it really is. It is extremely easy to use, and repeatable outcomes are your guarantee that you are getting an accurate reading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z11wfc-0-hY
Click to expand...


@BajaRon, this video is now marked as private and unavailable.
 
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