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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows
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TOPIC: Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows
#885104
Curt (Moderator)
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 9 Months ago  
Ignore where the belt is tracking on your pulley it really doesn't matter. Even if you get the belt in the center it doesn't mean things are adjusted correctly. The belt will change over time and run where it wants to. Do the center to center adjustment on the axle and the swing arm bolt on both side and make sure you can twist the belt about 45 degrees between the pulleys. If the belt doesn't chirp like it is too loose or purr like it is too tight then ride and forget where the belt run. I also have both adjusters facing the front of the bike just make sure they are the same. I don't ride no hands at all and something happened the other day and I took both hands off for a long time and then realized what I had done. I was shocked at how long I kept my hands off and how nice and straight the bike went even on our crap roads.
 
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#885124
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 9 Months ago  
MidnightJockey wrote:
I Has anyone identified and verified any other standard point on our bike, other than the Swing Arm Bolt that can be used with confidence to make a measurement to the Rear Axle? I've thought about the spot that I think Texasscott is talking about, but that seem a little vague to me. I'm thinking I should line it with the Swing Arm Bolt method and start taking measurements on the bike to see what else can be used or make my own marks somewhere to use later.

Before I covered my swing arm pivot with slutty chrome and installed the duals, I measured from the rear axle to one of the passenger peg mounting holes and it was the same left to right. Also, you could just stamp a dot somewhere on the frame as a reference instead of the swing arm pivot.
 
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#896498
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 8 Months ago  
Ive been fighting mine for a few days now. With the correct tension using a gauge to put the 10lb force on the belt, and using the marks on the stock guard, everything seems to be right. When I tighten all the bolts back down, torque the axle, the belt seems to track to the right side and the wheel seems to get very tight, well tighter than when its loose for adjustment. If we wanted to start over, you would follow the same steps correct?

1 loosen the axle nuts,
2 loosen the caliper bolt
3. loosen the adjusters to the point of no tension on the wheel.
4. move both tensioners until they start to touch the frame
5. adjust the tensioners side to side (i put red paint on the bolt head to know where I am from right to left adjustment)
6. check the measurement from the swing arm, to the center of the nut
7. adjust until they are exact from side to side
8. check the belt tension until you get to 7-9 mm of travel on the belt with on a stand.
9. adjust each side with the same increments until you achieve belt tension...
10. after belt tension is reached, check the measurements again side to side.
11. If everything at that point is correct and measurements are right tighten the axle to torque specs (85ftlbs)
12. tighten the caliper bolt and make sure the tensioners are torqued with the jam nut as well.


Correct? Any suggestions?
 
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#896502
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 8 Months ago  
Sounds good.

Like you I found that when I tighted the axle bolt, the belt magically became tighter so I now back-off the tension a little before buttoning it all down.

I know the measuring and all that, but I do like to see the rear belt running on center so I do tweak the alignment slighly to ensure that is that case. Mine though is affected by as little as a half-turn so I don't think it's an issue. Once again though, buttoning everything down does affect this alignment so I center it, apply a 1/2 turn forcing it to run a little on one side (I cannot recall which) and button it down. Test and double-check all bolts and tensions.
 
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#896535
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 8 Months ago  
FWIW... (nuthin'?) I adjust the left for proper belt tightness with a gauge, and run the bike in gear on the lift, tweaking the right adjuster until the belt is running in the middle of the rear pulley.

Okay, so nobody says that's the way it's supposed to be done, and truly the wheel alignment, and not the belt/pulley alignment is the most important issue, but... it hasn't run me off the road yet!

okay, okay... I then check from swing bolt to axle center with a straight piece of wire as a touch of insurance.....
 
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Last Edit: 2015/06/17 10:32 By Questcap.
 
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#896536
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 8 Months ago  
I used to measure from the swing arm but with all the stuff in the way it's tought to do and I didn't find it accurate using a measuring tape.

this time I adjusted the left side until the belt tension was correct. Adjusted the right side to make sure it was farily close to the left (use any method you chose). Rechecked the belt and adjusted the left and right sides as necessary. Started bike and made sure the belt was not trying to climb either side of the pulley (it will tend to track one side or the other). Also if you back the bike up you can tell if the belt is not true. If the belt tries to climb the pulley or there is a rubbing noise then I'll readjust the right side. Once I'm satisfied that I was close I took it for a ride and took my hands off the bars. It tracked to the left so I loosened the right side half turn. Checked belt tension and took it for a ride .... and so on.

Once it tracks straight without hands on bars that's good enough for me.

Doc
 
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#896537
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 8 Months ago  
Questcap wrote:
FWIW... (nuthin'?) I adjust the left for proper belt tightness with a gauge, and run the bike in gear on the lift, tweaking the right adjuster until the belt is running in the middle of the rear pulley.



Works for me but I'm not anal about getting it to run in the middle as oftentimes it does wander a bit.

Doc
 
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Last Edit: 2015/06/17 10:35 By DocShadow.
 
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#896540
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 8 Months ago  
I get accused of that "anal" thing a lot... about getting a job done in a highly specific manner I mean!!!
 
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#896541
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 8 Months ago  
Questcap wrote:
I get accused of that "anal" thing a lot... about getting a job done in a highly specific manner I mean!!!

Glad you clarified but it was too much info.

Doc
 
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#896544
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Re:Hey you belt alignment know-hows 2 Years, 8 Months ago  
ok so im on the right "track" at this point...lol however, you do torque the axle and tighten everything down after the adjustment, or you leave the axle and caliper bolt loose? or you follow the exact instructions like I do right? im being very anal at this point because its 2 wheels and not four...lol I don't see any reason not to be anal if your taking your life in your own hands. Again thanks for the comments, im sure that we all appreciate it. I know I do for sure since this is my first time changing the tire and oil and all.. ive got 25k on it and want it to last and be safe.
 
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