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Buell Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through April 19, 2011 » Drive belt tension « Previous Next »

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Lager
Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 08:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Im new to Buells, so bear with me.
Ive noticed a big difference with belt tension depending on temperature and shifting ease.
If I check play in the belt when its 30 degrees, its a lot looser then when its 80 out side. Yeah I know, thats a big swing, but here in NC we get these temp swings this time of year.
Then I notice, if I start the ride early in the morning when its cold, the belt is quite loose. Check the play after 20-30 miles or so, same temp.. its quite tight. Same temp out side, just heat build up due to friction Im guessing?
Why am I so concerned? Its because the only thing I dont like about my Buell is the shifting ease, its darn cranky and its seems to be related to the drive belt tension or tightness.
When its cold, the belt is loose. Shifting effort is high, I expect that. The gear oil is cold, maybe the clutch plates are not releasing easy.As the ride progresses a few miles, shifting ease and clunkyness goes away.All is good for a little while. Then it becomes hard to shift again and the clunkyness and grindy feel comes back again.
I get to work, check the belt, its tight as a banjo string.
No signs of clutch drag when hot, so Im thinking the belt tightness is the cause of the shifting problem.
Is this a quirk of the bike and am I being too fussy because Im used to Jap and Eyetalian bikes?Or, Normal?
Also notice, 3rd gear is the worse, requiring the most effort and travel and only on upshift,, downshifts are smooth as could be.
Forgot, 99 X1, if that makes any difference.
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Davefl
Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 09:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

More than likely your belt is too tight. P.M. Buellistic and he will send you belt adjusting guide.
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Xl1200r
Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 09:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You want the belt to be "sloppy loose" all the time. The word "tight" should never be used to described the state of the belt, unless it is included in a sentence with phrases such as, "no where near" or "not even remotely".

Hard shifts could be worn shifter bushings or, more likely, a too-tight primary chain.
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Davefl
Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 09:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I always refer to the belt as "Scary Loose" If people are not coming up to you to tell you that you need to tighten it then it is too tight
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Kalali
Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 12:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I haven't noticed too much of a difference in belt tension with the bike being either cold or warm. May be just a little bit. It will however make a significant difference if you check the tension while sitting on the bike. Of course that goes without saying if you look at the swing arm pivot points with respect to the belt.
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 07:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I was gonna say scary loose also, but I was beat to it!
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Lager
Posted on Friday, April 08, 2011 - 09:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When I first bought the bike,last November, the belt was quite loose and there were rub marks on the swing arm from contact. I figured that wasnt a good thing for belt life so I adjusted it as per the factory service manual useing a fish scale as a measuring device. I did the adjustment when It was quite cold, now Im seeing the difference as the temp has increased. Guess I need to find the sweet spot.Loose enough to allow free movement, but tight enough to eliminate belt slappage against the swing arm during decell.
Really appreciate everyone's suggestions and the time they took to do so.
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Xl1200r
Posted on Friday, April 08, 2011 - 09:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Don't fret about the swing arm. Leave it loose. The advice given here isn't exaggerations.
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Jramsey
Posted on Friday, April 08, 2011 - 09:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

" but tight enough to eliminate belt slappage against the swing arm during decell."

Here's how I run mine



With just the weight of the bike it can touch the bottom of the swing arm.

Excuse my wife's dirty hand she just got home and runs a 980 CAT during the day.

(Message edited by jramsey on April 08, 2011)
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Jramsey
Posted on Friday, April 08, 2011 - 09:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Btw the top of the swing arm block on both my tubers show wear/polish from deceleration.
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Fahren
Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 07:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Jramsey, your bike is waaaaaay too clean! ; )
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Onebadx1
Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 01:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

pkforbes had a video posted on the You Tube that showed the correct belt tension. Can't find it now. Maybe he'll weigh in...?
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Triman023
Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 03:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I picked up my S2 from the dealer recently and found the belt so tight I couldn't move it. I had advised them to keep it a 2 inches unloaded. The service rep wheeled it back to the shop and the tech said he heard a noise from the belt and tightened it until the noise stopped. I showed him that I have a new wheel because the belt tension burned out my bearings, he reset it to 2 inches.
They made me sign a disclaimer absolving them of all responsibility for damage caused by a loose belt.

I give up, doing it myself from now on...
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Funjimmy
Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 09:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Another method, although time consuming, is to hang the bike from the garage rafters so that the rear wheel is off the ground. Now unfasten the rear shock from the swingarm or the front mount so that the rear suspension can be cycled through its full range of travel.

Cycle the swingarm through the full range of travel and adjust the belt so there are no tight spots.
Lock it down, reconnect the rear shock and lower the bike. This will be the optimum adjustment.
Not too tight and never too loose!
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Ebutch
Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 09:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Jim: I 2nd that
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Davefl
Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 09:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I third
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Dave_02_1200
Posted on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 10:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Funjimmy,

That is the method I use for belts and chains on all my bikes.

It lets you set the belt or chain so it will never bind but is never too loose.

I wonder why the FSM makes no mention of this simple and effective method.
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Lager
Posted on Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 06:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

With everyone's suggestions, I made my belt adjustment today much looser then the factory specs. After a 20 mile road test, I can say that it was a success.
The shifting effort was greatly reduced and its actually seemed to free up the rear suspension more.
3rd gear is still a bit clunky/noisy and requires more travel, I probably have some trans problem, since no one else seems to the same issue.But its greatly reduced.
I can live with it now, but I probably have a bent shift fork, worn dogs or possibly incorrect gear shimming.
Anyways, just wanted to Thank everyone for their responses. They made a big difference.
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