SuzukiSavage.com - Problems adjusting the belt tension

chris.heff

Ex Member

Problems adjusting the belt tension
04/01/07 at 17:47:55

Hi, just changed my back tire last week. I have a Clymer manual, it says I need a tension gauge to adjust the belt tension, though it doesn't give me a pound level for deflection. I do not have this tension gauge, nor do I know anyone that has it. Does any one that has this gauge can tell me what the tension is supposed to be. I would prefer to have the tension and tracking correct so I don't damage the belt.

Thanks

Chris

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Reelthing Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Fish or ride that is the question Posts: 5397 Houston,Tx Gender:	Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #1 - 04/01/07 at 18:10:21 You don't need the gauge - just use the twist method - tighten it until you can only twist the belt 90deg about a foot or so in front of the rear pulley - the gauge get's it too tight
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justin_o_guy Ex Member	Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #2 - 04/01/07 at 19:19:33 Since I retired the compression gauge & went with the twist method, my belt is quieter. Just get it tight enough to allow ya to twist the belt so you can get 90 degrees of twist about half way between the front & rear sprokkits. Like Reel thing said.
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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #3 - 04/02/07 at 11:07:02 Do the 90 degree twist on the bottom section of the belt.
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monkee72 Ex Member	Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #4 - 04/02/07 at 11:08:37 Along with what those guys all said. I did the same thing last year, and rode about 2000 miles since, with no problems.
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Savage_Greg Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Don't go around your ass to reach your elbow... Posts: 7844 SW Washington State Gender:	Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #5 - 04/03/07 at 20:01:43 We put up with squeaky belts for a couple years, until I began using the 90 method. Darn, all the time I wasted trying to do it like the manual said.... The tension gage might make a good fishing weight...or a boat anchor
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tbalam Full Member Offline I like my kids, but I love my bike ;) Posts: 172 Fac o' the Sn Gender:	Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #6 - 04/03/07 at 20:07:52 convert to a chain problem solved!
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firsts40

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Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension
Reply #7 - 04/03/07 at 20:16:46

8)I agree with the twist method. I used the gauge that came with the bike once, and not only was it a pain in you know what, it was very inconsistant and got my belt to tight. As far as alignment goes, it is a lot easier to do with it up on a jack of some type. I paid $70 for mine in Wal-Mart made by GMAC. Works great and is very stable with a 1X3 wood mod on one leg.

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Dana from Misissippi
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firsts40 Senior Member Offline Proud PGR Member Posts: 316 South Mississippi Gender:	Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #8 - 04/03/07 at 20:19:05 One more thing about the alignment. Do not trust the alignment marks 100%. Mine were off a little and got me some unwanted noise from the belt rubbing on the front pully.
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chris.heff Ex Member	Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #9 - 04/03/07 at 21:28:47 I am unable to see the alignment marks, not sure if they forgot them on my bike or what. I'm kind of winging it when it comes to alignment. I'll double check again tomorrow, and try the 90 method to see how far out or close it is.
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chris.heff Ex Member	CaRe: Problems adjusting the belt tension Reply #10 - 04/03/07 at 21:30:39 Can't say I would ever want to go back to a chain. Too much maintenance. A belt may be a pain to set up initially but you never touch it again. Until I had to change my back tire, I've never adjusted the belt tension or any need to for the three years I've owned this thing.
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Savage_Greg

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Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension
Reply #11 - 04/04/07 at 05:16:36

firsts40 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04:

One more thing about the alignment. Do not trust the alignment marks 100%. Mine were off a little and got me some unwanted noise from the belt rubbing on the front pully.

Those alignment marks are not critical at all, and a little rubbing on the pulley sides happens anyway. My bet is that something else was rubbing...such as the pulley on the cover.

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Savage_Greg

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Re: CaRe: Problems adjusting the belt tension
Reply #12 - 04/04/07 at 05:27:13

chris.heff wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04:

Can't say I would ever want to go back to a chain. Too much maintenance. A belt may be a pain to set up initially but you never touch it again. Until I had to change my back tire, I've never adjusted the belt tension or any need to for the three years I've owned this thing.

It's not this complex. Really. The adjustment isn't that critical. They don't have to match perfectly. The belt tension adjustment isn't either. No rocket science at all. That's why the manuals don't go into a lot of detail with it.

If you can't see the alignment marks, it is possible that the wheel adjusters were installed inside-out on the axle when the tire was last reinstalled. That puts the marks on the inside. Easy to do...

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Rogue_Cheddar

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Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension
Reply #13 - 04/04/07 at 08:18:24

I changed my belt using the tensioner tool and did not have any real issues. Mine seemd to be in line with the 90 degree twist method so either way should suffice. The new belt will stretch, so make sure you recheck tension after a few hundred miles. I used a box end wrench on the wheel adjusters and would tighten each side 1/2 turn only. The wheel seemd to pull tight evenly, my notches line up pretty good. The belt doesn't sqeak and the bike seems to track fine. I suppose 2 long straight edges on either side aligning the front and back wheels would be better or a laser alignment, but I think I'm within the proverbial red nano pube.

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justin_o_guy

Ex Member

Re: Problems adjusting the belt tension
Reply #14 - 04/04/07 at 18:45:37

If alignment is an issue & the marks are on the inside, you can pop the front pulley cover off & run a string under the belt & roll the bike till the string is in front of the pulley, then, pull the string back to the rear of the rear pulley. It will show ya which way to adjust the rear wheel to get it close. But, no matter how close it gets, as soon as ya goose it, the tenbsion from the belt pulls the rear pulley foraward on the outside edge a bit, so, it's not ever gonna be perfect, no matter how good a job you do.

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