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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Belt tension /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1457324126 Message started by Jasbee on 03/06/16 at 20:15:26 |
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Title: Belt tension Post by Jasbee on 03/06/16 at 20:15:26 I read somewhere in the forum that the Suzuki spring loaded gauge should not be used as it results in you setting the belt tension too tight. Rather, you should be able to twist the belt with your fingers through 90 degrees. To me passing that finger twist test means the belt is too loose. Unlike a chain which you should be able to waggle about 30 mm, I believe a belt should only move a small amount if you push hard. So what's the concensus? One thing I've noticed is that after a ride the belt gets tighter, so it shrinks when it gets hot? Whatever, I'm loving having a belt drive! |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Kris01 on 03/06/16 at 20:18:04 Check out the belt twist video. I believe Serowbot filmed it. That's what I go by. |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Art Webb on 03/07/16 at 09:12:02 we all use the twist method, as far as I know, and have zero issues with it using the spring loaded tool will make the belt too tight and cause problems You say you believe a belt should be tighter than a chain, what do you base this on? Do you have a wealth of experience with belt driven motorcycles as the gurus on here have (I am by no means a guru or an expert)? or is it based on empirical evidence? or is it just your feeling? |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Dave on 03/07/16 at 09:34:22 The belt really doesn't have to be "really"tight....and when you get it too tight it stretches and cracks the outer layer. You can tell if this happens as it makes white lines across the belt where the cracks are located. V-groove belts have to be tight to work properly - but not a flat toothed belt. I tighten mine so that you can twist 90 degrees pretty easily.....and on the Cafe I run it pretty slack as it tightens when the suspension lowers when I sit on the bike. White lines in the belt below show cracks in the outer covering....this belt was likely run too tight and it has the white lines across the belt, and even after being sprayed with Armorall (eBay listing) it still the white marks showing. http://i67.tinypic.com/r8s315.jpg |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Serowbot on 03/07/16 at 12:01:30 8-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2ZsZzTwRyk [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2ZsZzTwRyk[/media] |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by KennyG on 03/07/16 at 12:23:14 Serowbot, Thank You! That is simple enough now that I see the video. Do the belts stretch like a chain? Is there a reason to adjust the belt other than when a new belt is installed? Kenny G |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Serowbot on 03/07/16 at 13:00:35 It don't stretch... you only adjust when you pull the rear wheel. 8-) ..or if yer' really, really, bored... ;D |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Jasbee on 03/07/16 at 17:13:41 I don't have a wealth of experience with belt drives; this is my first. I based my belief concerning tension on what the dealer said, plus I figured that unlike a chain, the belt has a bit of give or stretch in it and therefore should logically be set tighter than a chain. OK, I've now watched Serowbot's video. So, do you do the twist test when the belt is cold, as I definitely find the belt is tighter after a run (I'm in Australia, summer, it's hot!). Assuming I've adjusted it properly, what is the expected life of a belt? Has anyone worn one out? |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Serowbot on 03/07/16 at 21:31:14 Most bike belts (read Harley), are rubber/kevlar... very much like an automotive type belt. Our belts are industrial... mostly used in assembly line stuff... (So I've been told)... It is more plastic with nylon cord embedded... ... and seems to behave differently... The belts on Harley's are very tight, and run well that way... but our bikes don't like it. Especially,.. if you go to longer rear shocks... (without some slack, the belt will end up acting as a suspension stop)... We have seen several belts get a cut or damage from an object causing the belt to break... ...also damage as Dave shows above... probably from suspension stop action, on an overly tight belt... I don't recall one actually wearing out... if they do, it's in the 100k mile range... It's a good belt,... near twice as wide as on a Sportster... It's just noisy... >:( You can't have everything :) |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Dave on 03/08/16 at 03:06:27 Raydawg broke a belt ........not sure why. I believe it just broke straight across one of the teeth. And I believe Youzguyz has gone through 1 or 2 in his 140,000 miles. |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Jasbee on 03/12/16 at 14:02:59 So I think I now have my belt tensioned correctly. I'd not previously heard any noise, now it goes 'wheeeee' on a trailing throttle. I backed it off 4 flats on the hexagonal adjusters (ie 2/3 of a turn). I've done about 4500 kms with the belt too tight, guess my belt won't get to last 100,000 kms? But it's good to know I've got it right now. Thanks for the help everyone. Jasbee |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by norm92de on 03/13/16 at 10:39:09 I'm going to play the devils advocate. What is too loose and what happens? Mine is more or less a 90 degree twist at the moment. |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by Dave on 03/13/16 at 10:49:15 I guess when it is too loose it can flap around a bit....and there will be a bit more backlash when you go from coasting to throttle. I can't imagine it ever being so loose that the belt can jump teeth on the pulleys. I believe a little too loose is likely better than too tight. |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by norm92de on 03/13/16 at 15:11:18 Thanks for the comment Dave. Suzuki does seem to like it very tight. |
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Title: Re: Belt tension Post by raydawg on 03/13/16 at 18:27:25 063D3027363A21273C343926550 wrote:
Yeah, and Dave saved my butt ;D My belt broke clean across, but you could tell it didn't all shear at once. By that I mean I had some threads on the edges that were discolored, as if they were exposed to the road grime, and the ones in the center of the belt, were clean and still had some thread sticking out, which I am to assume was the only thing keeping the belt on, well, that is until I gave her the throttle pulling across lanes of traffic from a side street.... Lucky thing I wait until all traffic allows me to without having to haul butt. Not sure but I think the elements of where I live added to its demise. It is rural and the roads cluttered with all sorts of tree windfall and such, rain, dirt, etc.... The belt itself looked ok, except were she sheared straight across. I ran it tightened to the two finger bot twist and one finger snap :-* |
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