Spyder RT Drive Belt Wandering

[johnc1921]

I have a 2013 Spyder RT Limited. I had to replace the belt shortly after I purchased the Spyder in May, 2019 due to a hole punched thru the belt by a pebble. Since then I have noticed the new belt will wander from good alignment near the inside rim to the other side of the drive sprocket. The attached picture shows the belt's current alignment. I have the rear wheel off the ground and my Kricket II registers about 230#.

Maybe reduce tension? Maybe add a belt tensioner? Is this normal?

Thanks.

 

[Peter Aawen]

They all wander a bit, especially while you're reversing! :thumbup:

Your belt looks fine, especially if that's as far left as it ever gets, so I wouldn't worry too much about it, I'd just .....

Ride More, Worry Less!

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

They all wander a bit, especially while you're reversing! :thumbup:

Your belt looks fine, especially if that's as far left as it ever gets, so I wouldn't worry too much about it, I'd just .....

Ride More, Worry Less!

:agree:.... I saw a homemade video ( a couple years ago ) of what goes on targeting the Drive belt …. it showed the belt constantly moves side to side on the rear sprocket ……...… after seeing this I stopped being at all concerned about it's moving …. jmho …. Mike

 

[RICZ]

Noticing my belt was too close to the rear pulley flange and too tight, I did an adjustment and alignment. I too noticed that there was a part of the belt that was closer to the flange by no more than 1mm - the bulk of it is 2mm. I'm calling that good.

 

[johnc1921]

Thanks for the feedback. One less thing to worry about!

I've ordered the belt tensioner from roadster renovation. My instinct says the belt is too tight. With the tensioner in place I will back it down to 160#-180# and see what kind of noise I get.

I think with low mileage riders, a tight belt doesn't matter much. When we finally get out of the blast furnace here in Phoenix my wife and I hope to put on a lot of miles.

 

[JS3535]

Just installed a new rear tire & adjusted my belt with tire off the ground. Durning test drive I look back and notice during acceleration that the belt pulled to the inside against the flange & when off the throttle it goes to outside & almost off the sprocket completely. During cruising speeds it seems to stay centered. Is this normal? :dontknow:

 

[Freddy]

Just installed a new rear tire & adjusted my belt with tire off the ground. Durning test drive I look back and notice during acceleration that the belt pulled to the inside against the flange & when off the throttle it goes to outside & almost off the sprocket completely. During cruising speeds it seems to stay centered. Is this normal? :dontknow:

No it is not.

 

[PinkRosePetal]

Just installed a new rear tire & adjusted my belt with tire off the ground. Durning test drive I look back and notice during acceleration that the belt pulled to the inside against the flange & when off the throttle it goes to outside & almost off the sprocket completely. During cruising speeds it seems to stay centered. Is this normal? :dontknow:

You've perhaps got movement somewhere. If the axle is definitely tight my first 3 things to check are; the bearing in the rear sprocket for wear or looseness, did you miss out the spacer between the rear sprocket and the wheel and the front sprocket for free play.

 

[SpyderJerry]

No it is not.

Actually, you better check your front sprocket with spline wallowed out. Have seen the same problem before.