Something to consider with air ride...belt tension

[CRUCIFIED]

I discovered something today about air suspension. When you lower the back end of the spyder it changes the belt tension. I rode out to a car show with the back pretty low and the engine light went on. Checked things out and the belt was loose enough to be problematic until I raised it back up. IMO I would suggest that you choose your ride height, adjust tension and do your best to always ride at that height.

Just a heads up for those of you with (or considering) rear air suspension.

 

[RoadHammer]

I have the air on mine and wondered about that too. Thanks for the tip..:doorag:

 

[BajaRon]

Belt tension will change throughout the swingarm travel because the swingarm pivot does not rotate around the output shaft where the countershaft sprocket is mounted.

Because the swingarm pivots behind the countershaft sprocket there is only one point at where the 2 sprockets are at greatest distance and the belt is at its tightest point.

The engineers assume that at normal loading and proper rear shock setting to compensate for weight that going into a less than spec. belt tension (rear wheel up into the wheel well quite a ways) will only occur momentarily on bumps, etc.

Running continually with the tire deep into the wheel well is outside of design specs and probably will cause some issues.

 

[CRUCIFIED]

Belt tension will change throughout the swingarm travel because the swingarm pivot does not rotate around the output shaft where the countershaft sprocket is mounted.

Because the swingarm pivots behind the countershaft sprocket there is only one point at where the 2 sprockets are at greatest distance and the belt is at its tightest point.

The engineers assume that at normal loading and proper rear shock setting to compensate for weight that going into a less than spec. belt tension (rear wheel up into the wheel well quite a ways) will only occur momentarily on bumps, etc.

Running continually with the tire deep into the wheel well is outside of design specs and probably will cause some issues.

Issues indeed. Thank you for providing detailed information.

Unfortunately this "side effect" isn't advertised by the retailer. It would have been nice if this information or caution was included in the product description.

 

[CRUCIFIED]

I have the air on mine and wondered about that too. Thanks for the tip..:doorag:

Your welcome. If you want to check it out, air it all the way up and then let it down slowly, keep your eye on the belt and you can actually see a fairly dramatic change in tension. With it aired out, give a tug on the belt...you may discover that if there wasn't a ridge on the outside of the sprocket you could easily remove the belt. nojoke

 

[BajaRon]

Issues indeed. Thank you for providing detailed information.

Unfortunately this "side effect" isn't advertised by the retailer. It would have been nice if this information or caution was included in the product description.

You have a point there. Should be some kind of description of proper ride hight needed to maintain belt tension.

I guess it's one of those things that become obvious when it's too late. Glad you caught it before it caused issues.

It's the opposite end of how we take the belt off without loosening the wheel buy removing the lower shock mount and dropping the wheel until the belt just falls off.

Same effect if you move the wheel up far enough. I'm sure the suspension stops wheel travel before it gets that bad but you see what I mean.

 

[CRUCIFIED]

I believe digital gauges would be the best solution. This way one could find the correct pressure to avoid belt complications as well as finding and returning to the best ride height when riding one or two up...looks I need to add that to the mod list.

 

[CRUCIFIED]

You have a point there. Should be some kind of description of proper ride hight needed to maintain belt tension.

I guess it's one of those things that become obvious when it's too late. Glad you caught it before it caused issues.

It's the opposite end of how we take the belt off without loosening the wheel buy removing the lower shock mount and dropping the wheel until the belt just falls off.

Same effect if you move the wheel up far enough. I'm sure the suspension stops wheel travel before it gets that bad but you see what I mean.

I follow...that makes sense. When all the air is out of the spyder the rear wheel is only about 1/2 inch from touching the the back end. This should give you an idea of just how loose the belt is at that point.

I really freaked out when I give it a tug. :yikes:

 

[BajaRon]

I follow...that makes sense. When all the air is out of the spyder the rear wheel is only about 1/2 inch from touching the the back end. This should give you an idea of just how loose the belt is at that point.

I really freaked out when I give it a tug. :yikes:

Sounds like you're lucky you didn't spin it off.

Yes, I think a pressure gauge would be a must. Especially if you plan to adjust on the fly as seat of the pants isn't always the best way to go.

 

[powerbyaj]

I get more vibration when i have a passenger but our combined weight may exceed the 400 lbs max which most likely is causing the vibration...belt tension changing.

Next time belt tension is tested i want tech to check belt tension with me on spyder this may help with vibration when carrying a passenger.

 

[BajaRon]

I get more vibration when i have a passenger but our combined weight may exceed the 400 lbs max which most likely is causing the vibration...belt tension changing.

Next time belt tension is tested i want tech to check belt tension with me on spyder this may help with vibration when carrying a passenger.

It's a good idea to get that checked as too tight is taking out bearings. I'm thinking 2 up may keep the belt near its tightest point more than 1 up. I was wondering if more 2 up owners are experiencing bearing failure than 1 up riders.

 

[Lamonster]

I rode over 900 miles with all the air out on my shock and never had a belt problem, had other problems but not the belt.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6284

 

[CRUCIFIED]

I rode over 900 miles with all the air out on my shock and never had a belt problem, had other problems but not the belt.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6284

Wow. Thats crazy! That rear end must have been hitting hard! Im glad you managed to make it without throwing that belt.

 

[CRUCIFIED]

Took the spyder into the shop today, the engine light was not related to the belt tension, the code had something to do with a clutch sensor.:dontknow: