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Message started by Panther on 12/07/15 at 12:32:22

Title: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Panther on 12/07/15 at 12:32:22

Hi, I am a new member. This is my first post. I have recently purchased a new 2014 S40. I noticed the drive belt constantly running to the outside of the pulley, doesn't matter if the wheel is spun forward or backwards. I have read many of the excellent threads and comments on belt adjustment since finding this site. The wheel alignment, measuring from the swing arm pivot to the centre of the axle nuts is dead on. If I adjust the belt so its tracking more or less in the centre, then the measurement difference on each side to the centre of the axle nut is 1/8 inch. Can you please tell me which is more important...the belt centre tracking or the 1/8 inch off on the wheel alignment...Thanks very much

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by verslagen1 on 12/07/15 at 12:43:09

comments have been made before that the marks aren't accurate.
but doing a string alignment check from the front and back wheels should be done.

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Dave on 12/07/15 at 13:05:25

When/if the pulley hub bearing becomes worn, the belt tension pulls the pulley forward and that makes the pulley run out of alignment....and the belt will move to the outside of the pulley.

Once way to correct this is to do the rubber floor mat shims to the pulley hub.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1446828836

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by stewmills on 12/07/15 at 14:18:57

save yourself the headache and don't chase the adjuster marks, etc. as Dave noted. If your pulley hub wobbles, let me send you a shim. i have some left. Once installed, adjust the wheel until the belt runs center to the pulley and roll on. Just make sure that you don't over tighten the belt. You should be able to twist the lower side of the belt 90 degrees with two fingers firmly. If you can't twist it 90 degrees, it's too tight.

The shim is only $5 shipped (to the US...not sure where you are). That covers shipping and my trouble. I'm not trying to profit. 8-)

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Serowbot on 12/07/15 at 14:19:40

I align the wheel,.. the belt can do whatever it wants... :-?...

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by stewmills on 12/07/15 at 14:21:21

584E59445C49445F2B0 wrote:

I align the wheel,.. the belt can do whatever it wants... :-?...

your belt's gonna break and smack you on the leg :o

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Serowbot on 12/07/15 at 14:23:51

...but my wheel will still be there... 8-)...

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by stewmills on 12/07/15 at 14:27:51

I have this, so if I lose one rear wheel I still have one to spare.

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Panther on 12/07/15 at 15:16:04

Thanks very much for all the replies. As I mentioned the bike is new (800kms), so hopefully there is no wear on anything. Ignoring the adjusting marks, I had done a measurement from the swing arm pivot to the centre of the axle nut on both sides and they were the same (19 7/8"). I used the adjusters as described in one of the threads and managed to get the belt to track in the centre (mostly), but then the measurement from the swing arm to the axle nuts was 19 7/8" on one side and 19 3/4" on the other, so wasn't sure which was more important ..the belt tracking in the centre, or the wheel alignment measurement being exactly equal both sides. It seems from the replies that the alignment measurements are the more important and as Mr Serowbot said 'let the belt do whatever it wants'. Thanks very much for all the replies. I appreciate your time and expertise

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/07/15 at 16:14:52

I put a piece of parachute cord under the belt, on top of the front pulley, rolled forward, brought the cord to the rear pulley. Aligned with the front pulley edges, shows me where to go with the rear.
That's how we lined up pumps with drive pulleys on drilling rigs.

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by KennyG on 12/07/15 at 17:10:55

Stew,

The picture of the abortion you posted reminds me of this abortion.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Serowbot on 12/07/15 at 17:15:03

Is that a Cubby Davidson?.. :-/...

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by KennyG on 12/07/15 at 17:21:09

Serowbot,

Yep

I f you really think you have to have a Scootster here is a link to purchase one.

http://www.scootster.com/

Kenny G

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/07/15 at 20:07:09

You mean like this! :P

I thought of starting my own thread on this! After my crash, I noticed that push/straddling my bike at low speed made the belt squeak. Doesn't anyone think this could result in increased belt wear, possible heating, reduced mileage, and higher risk of breakage, not to mention jumping the pulley :-?.

Not saying that the belt wasn't misaligned before or didn't squeak, but it didn't squeak like this.

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Serowbot on 12/07/15 at 21:53:41

Engine torque will pull that belt from one side to the other,... that's why the pulleys have edges...
The wheel is fixed... it does not move side to side...
Adjust the fixed wheel to run true...
That belt will do what it wants,.. it's tougher than you think...

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Dave on 12/08/15 at 04:31:31

Your squeaky belt is most likely from the dirty/muddy/dusty conditions you ride it.

With a bath/scrubbing and a clean belt.......the squeaking may be less. Some folks rub candle wax or soap on the belt edges to make the squeak go away - but if your ride on a dirty road you may just have to learn to accept it.

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Steve H on 12/08/15 at 04:34:20

I'm with Sero on this one. If you adjust it so the belt runs in the center and the wheel is out on the string measurements, your wheel is not straight. You will be dog-tracking going down the road.

If the tension is proper, the belt will be ok and not jump off or anything.

Title: Re: Belt alignment v's wheel alignment
Post by Panther on 12/08/15 at 05:26:00

To cheapnewb24...your picture is exactly how my belt was tracking before I adjusted it to run more or less in the centre. After reading all the great advice, and I do thank you for all your replies they are much appreciated, I will do the string test and then, if needed, I will adjust things so that the wheel is running true and let the belt track wherever it wants. Thanks again