Harley Davidson "Belt Tension and Alignment" !
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- A simple service procedure, and easy to carry out at home.
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Videos like this saved me so much money on preventive maintenance and taking care of my Harley. These tips made me come back and use your vids as a resource. Truly grateful for your knowledge.
Hey Brother, thank you so much for the credit for that, but remember it's your own two hands that did the work and made it happen, you still need a practical approach, and common sense to do these things safely. and i can't give you that.. and i'd give everything i know about bikes in exchange for half your musical talent... Hope life is improving and you keeping everyone safe and well over there.. Keep in touch, D&Px
Thanks for your instruction. I've never owned a belt-drive bike, but now I know how to to it for the future.
Günter from Nürnberg/Germany
Excellent video and very good presentation, well done
This is the best video I have seen on this subject!
Thank you for your kind feedback.
Helpful video. I came back to watch it again!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, very detailed and easy to follow. Much more info than a Harley mechanic's channel gives. He doesn't even show how to adjust the belt or align the wheel. Your video is perfect for anyone that wants to do their own maintenance and save themselves a hefty service fee from the dealer. Thanks! John PRKNBNZ Hall
Thank you John for your kind words of support and encouragement, we're really glad you enjoy the videos and appreciate your feedback!
Thanks for the upload, I don´t have a Harley myself, nor do I plan to get one anytime soon, but your explanations and tips are still interesting. Hope you´re getting better still. Cheers from Norway :)
Hi Ole, Yes im on the mend and getting better, and thank you for your kind words, im glad you enjoyed your video..
@@Moonfleet41 That's good news, Del 😊 Keep on that track, please, I think we all want you back in top order 👌
Thank you as you are ONLY ONE to provide correct procedure after watching other vids as i was doing tubes n tires on my fxdc.Thank u!!! You take pride in what you do n much "Respect"✌
Most welcome Joseph, glad it helped !
Subscribed. This guy has the best videos how to maintain your harley.
Thank you and welcome aboard!
Great video! Just got my first ever Harley and had 0 exposure to belt drives (Always had Chain and Shaft Drive). This has helped immensely!
Most welcome Sir, glad it helped you, enjoy your bike!
Best video iv seen yet...thank you.
Thank you
You're welcome
Great video Del.. That's the first thing I tell people when they say they want to work on their own bike, buy the bible (service manual) and read over it before you do anything to the bike. Follow what the manual says and you should be ok.. Of course once one gets some experience working on their own bike the manual is only needed for torque specs and certain procedures..
Well said mate, experience after a few years doing it makes things easier, but following the book, if you read it through and make sure you understand what it's telling you... then you'll be fine.
I got a manual for my 2006 softail. Bought it used who ever owned it took very good care of it. A new one was $ 1,100 no bull almost fell out the chair. But I got it for $ 99,00 used . You got to look around the internet but you will find it.
2021 RK here and my procedure per the factory manual is just exactly ass-backwards from this. Bike rear wheel OFF THE GROUND and measure the belt at every 90 degrees of rotation. Average the four readings to determine the measured deflection.
That's correct, Harley love to do that with different models, some suggest for instance, checking oils on the jiffy stand, others upright, plus many other contradictions within their own designs!
Interesting and informative .. I am prepping to change my radiator fan on my Hornet F9, its making noises... i also have a new radiator in the loft so it would be rude not too... Just reading my manual and listening to you talk about manuals :) Cheers..
Good luck with the job mate, hope it goes well.
@@Moonfleet41 Many thanks
Great how to Del & Penny. That one will help a lot of people, I think mate. Penny and you have a good week and stay safe. Can we have our sun back please LOL. Take care, Cheers
Hey mate.. it won't be long, we're having a last hoorah with the sun this week, but i recon they'll pack it u and send it over shortly.. Glad you enjoyed the video, have a great week yourself mate.. D&Pxx
Going to have a look for a sportster service manual need to be doing more myself
Hi Del, thanks for your fab videos. I have a 95 FLSTN and my genuine H-D factory manual makes no reference to having the weight of the rider on the bike while doing the drive belt tension. Are some models different in requiring no rider on the bike while making this adjustment? Would value your opinion please?
Great video Del, just about to remove my back wheel so this video will really help when putting it all back together. I took your advice to order a manual from Jersey HD back in April but still waiting for it to arrive so videos like this are invaluable
Sorry to hear that mate, I didn't know they were on back order, but good call, they are your bible for all things Harley!
Never seen a belt been sorted before. Tidy job.
Was only teasing u bout massy davisons on ur last job.
Wondered bout that, mine runs on one side of the pully, thanks, glad to know it s OK
thank you for your wonderful video. I have a Sportster Hugger 1998 year. I buy of second hand and I can't know if it was involved in an accident. My belt , no OEM, is slightly narrower of oem ( 26 mm vs 28.5) . I adjust the rear axis that is perpendicular with the swingarm ( I measured the distance from the pivot of the swingarm and the rear axis, in both sides, and put it the same each to other). In this condition, my belt , if I turn the wheel in the running direction, don't fit in the middle of the rear sprocket, but it's all thrown inwards. In the front sprocket, the belt is out of the sprocket, in the inner side for 2-3mm. Do you think that my swingarm is bend? or what do you recommend to test or change? Thank you a lot. PS : I would increase the rear lenght suspension. In my bike is 11.5", I would put a Bitubo 12.65", but I am troubled that can be a too large increase. In front fork I have a Hyperpro progressive suspension. Regards from Italy, Stefano
I might never own a belt driven bike but still entertaining to watch Hope you're keeping well Del. My personal opinion on service manuals is to get the factory year specific version for your bike. I've got both the manufacturer version and the Haynes version for my bike at the moment and the factory one being specific for that model year is far easier to understand when compared to the version that encompasses a variety of years of the same model.
Yeah, good call, to have both versions of the manual is like having a second opinion..! and that can never be wrong.. Take care and keep safe buddy.. D&Px
Dell, your model year may be different, but on my 2013 Road Glide you can check belt deflection with the rear wheel off the ground or on the jiffy stand - and no rider either way you do it. This is all per the bible. Really should pop for a belt tension gauge to do it right too. Cheers🍻
Ive always been surprised at how much the MoCo vary their service practices from bike to bike.. you could read half a dozen manuals on different models and they'd all have opposing advice... even simple things like dipping oil upright or on the stand etc... A Harley Tech i know has a library shelf of manuals next to his tool stack and refers to them every day.!
great info. i just got my new 2021 road glide. did not know that both sides move together. now i see it. very good. thanks man.
Yes indeed, real easy for belt adjustment, and simple design common sense too. but most of all WHAT?.. New 2021 Road Glide ?.. CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS.. You must be absolutely buzzing.. Have fun and enjoy every mile sir.. and ride safe. !
@@Moonfleet41 I have been blessed. Retirement is good. Investments are phenomenal. I still have my 2018 Heritage too. Was sort of shocked on how much difference the ride is softail vs touring. wow. Your channel gets better every session. :)
@@robertlumsden942 Thank you for your kind words Sir..
Nice easy job. Great video sir
great video.. thank you from the USA 🇺🇸..
Most welcome Sir, appreciate your feedback!
@@Moonfleet41 took me 3 minutes to fix my HD Cross Bones... 😎
Esse canal é muito útil! Obrigado!!🇧🇷
De nada.
2000 XLH883 everything looks aligned, but is squeaking pretty loud when I rotate the wheel by hand.
Any suggestions?
How do you make sure you put the right amount of upwards pressure on the belt? Great video.
Don't overthink it mate, it's not critical, there's a special tool you can buy from Harley, think it's called a deflectometer... but here's a cpuple of tricks that might help... lift upwards on the belt with a single extended index finger with as much pressure as just becomes uncomfortable, that's about enough (unless you are The Hulk lol)... or... grab the belt on each side with finger and thumb and try and twist it 90 degrees, you shouldn't be able to... if you can, then it's not tight enough... hope that helps!
@@Moonfleet41 that helps, thank you!
Interesting as my service manual (2020 FLHTK) says to check to belt deflection with the vehicle unladen- No rider, no luggage and empty saddlebags. Moral is - get a service manual 🙂 for your bike.
Indeed it does vary!
Anyone know why there is a tighter spot on the belt as stated in this video? 🙏
Great video, dear friends. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it.
Man I HATE black harleys cause everyone and their brother has one… but yours is absolutely beautiful!! It’s so shiny
Thank you.
excellent video brother I like these type of videos where it's very informative and could actually help out and save a lot of money to other people as always cheers guys from New York stay safe guys
Thank you Brother. Glad you enjoyed it, it's going to be fun to work with something different. Have a wonderful weekend and keep safe over there.. D&Pxx
👍🏼🏍🖖🏼😎 I tend to run belt a little loose ..I think it kind of saves the bearings and when I actually run it per manual spec it will squeak when I get off the throttle. I do get more mileage and I know several guys that put thousands and thousands of miles on their bikes they actually live on their motorcycle and they say they do last longer , but I’m sure they’re not hotrod-ding their bike
I know I’m no engineer but 😉
Yeah, there's logic in that, specially if you do mad miles..
Great vid mate, love these videos, great infomation and learning a new skill
Thanks for your kind feedback Dave. Glad you like them!
Man, that bottom belt run looks the mother of all garlic crushers. eg. Mainstand, back wheel over a drip tray, load that nice flat 'magazine' with freshly peeled cloves & pop the clutch - instant 'social abandonment' & NO vampires : ) xx
interesting that you are the only one that says to have the rider on the bike while others say either the back wheel should be off the ground or the bike should be on it's wheels off the kickstand, none other ever mentioned rider on the bike. I just did a chain to belt conversion on my Triumph SpeedTwin with Free Spirit kit and they say to align the center of the front/rear sprockets/pulleys and piviot point in a straight line. This would be the tightest point the belt will ever get in the full range of suspension travel. I had to take off one shock and add 90lbs. of weights on the back seat to make it sag enough for the rear to get all three points to be in a straight line. At this point the suspension has about 70% sag. From there the measurement is the same of 10lbs./4.5kg of force at the half way between sprockets/pulleys with 10mm of deflection. With this adjustment when the bike is just sitting normal upright belt is very loose, even with me on it.
In a way you're pretty much answered your own question mate.. you understand that the swing arm and pulleys must align along a horizontal plane, to get the belt to it's tightest point. so that's why advice varies from bike to bike.. because the 'resting' position of the bike could be already horizontal by design, or it could be lower, or higher depending on the bike's ride height... so in accordance with what it's resting height is, you either ad or subtract weight to the seat in order to make it horizontal.. add like you did with weights, or sit a rider on it... or to reduce weight, lift the back wheel off the ground... The method is irrelevant mate, as long as you render the swing arm in a line with the pulleys to achieve the tightest point.. as you already said..!
Nice one Del, sound advice as usual, top bloke 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed it.
Why on a Kawasaki 1700 does the service manual prescribe checking the belt to the same specs, but with the wheel off the ground? Your method here makes a lot more sense.
Thank you Del. I've learnt so much from your videos.
Very welcome Tony, thank you for your feedback.
Del Boy do you happen to know what size the adjustment bolts are on a 21plate Sportglide .They are a 12point socket but not sure what size too order .Glad too have you back on the you tube again keep safe 👍🏻
great video
Great bit of Knowledge and advice Del, much appreciated. Cheers.
You are usually so anal about these things. But you didn’t show the tool that’s used to put 10 pounds on the belt to measure.
Nice one Del 👍 just a quickie ! This new fuel which has 10% ethanol in it apparently is fine for all Harleys 1980 onwards however if you don’t use it ie winter time it separates and draws moisture into the tank after 2-3 months! Which could result in catastrophic problems with rusty tanks and other issues 😬 My personal feeling on this is to when I put it into winter hibernation ! Is to drain the tank and fill it up with super unleaded or just use super unleaded for the future ? What’s your views on this mate cos it’s being rolled out at all pumps now ? Cheers 🍻
I totally agree with you Roy, i am fortunate here to be able to ride my bike all year round, but we have friends on places like Canada and Alaska, and no matter how tough you think you are.. you just ain't riding in 4 feet of snow... so bikes get laid up for many months, and if i was in that position, then yes i would try my best to make my bike store or garage as dry and temperate as possible, like an indoor room, and totally drain the tank completely until its bone dry, then leave the cap open so it doesn't develop any condensation... but if it was a normal cold garage.. then yes, fill it to the brim with super unleaded, then drain that out in spring... Wise words well said mate, totally agree with you.
(P) Well explained & like everything, you couldn’t have done it without the Penster 🙌🏻
You said that right buddy... Pivotal input as always..
Hi Del. Thank you as always for sharing your knowledge. By the way, did you recently start to use a lapel mic? The audio quality seems much improved.
Hi Abouzar, iv'e been using a lapel mike for maybe 3 years now, ever since moving to the last unit due to the increased reverberation..
Hallo sir😎Do you have any vidios about how to change belt on A Harley Softail Heritage of other softail`s?
there are practically no videos on how to work on my specific bike .... Harley davidson XL1200C 2014
What bike was the first one u rolled off the stand
Any tips from preventing cam plate on right side from moving when torquing axle nut on right side?
It has two flats in it, it should stay locked to the axle and you hold the axle still with a spanner !
@@Moonfleet41 thanks man
Great video on an often overlooked item, Del! I’m going to check mine straight away thanks to you. Do you find that it’s mileage or the bike’s age that creates issues with the belt? Great to see Penny even if only her trainers! Hope you both are doing well there. 🏍👍🏍
Hey Gary.. The belt will stretch and wear with use, time (if it's excessive) will make it perish and dry out... but dirt and neglect are the biggest enemy. grit and dust from filthy roads will just grind the teeth down and add to all the general wear and tear. keep it clean, and adjusted and it'll last 50k miles+..!
@@Moonfleet41 great, Del. Thanks for the info. This was a great topic. ✔️
Ok what if I've got aftermarket taller, longer travel shocks? Standard tension on the belt could be too tight, am I right?
Well not necessarily, if you're going to run the swing arm lower for more ride height, then if the travel is the same as usual, (just higher) then set the tension as usual.. .but if the arc of the swing arm travels further, then set it at the deepest point of that travel where it will be tightest.. it depends how extreme you've gone, if it's jacked right up like an off roader, then you can always run a jockey wheel like the XR1200 had which will provide constant tension at all times..!!
Why do you say, There are no alignment issues on a touring bike?
The touring models have a "snail cam adjuster' mechanism.. a welded curved plate on the head end of the axle, and a corresponding plate that fits on the thread end onto two flat shoulders.. so once installed, you rotate the head of the axle to force the axle backwards, and the thread side follows.. they are guaranteed parallel, just set the tension and lock up the nut !
Zero could learn a lot from HD. I have a a zero DSR. No belt guard, dual sided adjustments on the rear axle like a chain, and single flangled rear pulley...meaning if the adjustment is way off the belt could drop off into the back wheel. I had to change my belt 3 weeks after getting the bike 11k miles on the clock, hit a pothole just as I went full throttle, and the unrestrained surge from the electric motor stripped half the teeth off the belt, just had enough to give me enough drive to get home.
If you ever get a chance to try an electric bike like a zero or the holy grail the energica give it a go. Not for everyone but every single person who has had a go on my zero, even hardened petrol heads, have said the same 3 words "I want one"
Sorry Mark, im not in the least bit interested in electric motorcycles, no matter how quickly they accelerate.. there are so many other reasons i love motorcycles beside their smooth pull away.. if there were no piston engined bikes.. i would hang up my lid and drive a diesel truck mate. and yes, i have tried one, and no i seriously don't want one.!
@@Moonfleet41 You don't need to apologise Del, at least you've tried one so it's an informed decision.
Its the lack of maintenance other than basic checks than got me interested. The last few bikes have all ended with expensive mechanical bills on the horizon, with 95% of my riding being commuting it was just becoming another headache (more the bike being unusable for work than financial, working on the railways we have some weird and not so wonderful shift patterns).
One way to remove the mechanical issues is to remove the mechanical parts being my logic....until I stripped a belt within 3 weeks. I'm like the captain of the titanic, he sunk an unsinkable ship, well I broke an unbreakable bike lol.
But the feel of the torque is slowly bringing back my biker bug that I lost when I traded in my ZZR1400 for a K1200GT to fit the ex on the back, bikes since then have just been workhorses, but I'm finding myself going for more and more leisure rides than I used too or taking the scenic route home from work
sounds to me like your belt was too loose, they do loosen/stretch over time. ZeroDSR/SR use about 100lbs of belt tension between sprocket/pulley centers. Thing that differs Zero from other belt drive is that the swing arm pivot is centered with the drive shaft so the belt maintains tension thru it's full travel range from fully extended to full compression. From newer I had to adjust my ZeroSR belt several times by the time it reached 11k miles.
How about with air ride??
Easy enough, set your air ride height so the swing arm is level with the ground...(that will be it's tightest point), then set your tension there buddy !
I love your videos but...I'm pretty sure you know who Doc Harley is, and he says you don't want to have a rider or extra weight when making your measurement, but upright with the tire on the ground. This is from a Harley Service dept. why do you think you need the rider?
I guess it depends on weather you obey the Harley manual religiously, (which im guessing he has to), or whether you apply some logical reasoning to the principle of the belt tightening up as it loads.. Any belt will be tightest when the swinging arm is horizontal, so if the swing arm is NOT horizontal without a rider.. and you set the belt tension, then the belt with get even tighter when you sit on it. (Not Ideal !) If you're worried with your Softail, then just check that the swing arm pivot and axle are level when upright, if they are, then go with Doc... if not, and it takes you're weight added to bring it down to level.. then set it there..! Just common sense buddy. !
@@Moonfleet41 Thank you for the reply. After pondering what you said about weight, it seems to make sense. I enjoy watchin repair videos, and it was just something I noticed, He was adamant about no weight and you made a point for weight. Thank you for taking the time to explain, I appreciate your time. Your videos are very informative . Keep up the good work
Pouvez vous mettre les sous titres en français dans vos vidéo a venir svp . Merci
HOW DO U MAKE IT TIGHTGHER
By moving the wheel axel towards the back of the bike, you are stretching the belt out and therefore making it tighter. How you move your rear axel forwards and backwards depends on your bike.
How do I get a service manual for my 99 fat Boy
Main dealer.
I have 2 Kawasaki 440 are belt driven.. I maintain them a lot… how often we need replace them?
It is a lot harder to detect the "worn out" point on a belt drive.. but once the teeth start to shift about in the slots and don't fit snug, then it's time to think about it... slacken off all the tension so the belt can be lifted out... place it down in the pulley slots and wiggle it backwards and forwards... that'll show if there is any play.
@@Moonfleet41 .. gotcha thanks…
Del, you may want to check that tension again. That's a big boy sitting on your bike. He probably had that belt stretched to breaking.🥵
My service manual says to do mine with the rear wheel in the air with no rider or luggage… why can’t Harley make the touring models all the same!!
It depends on where the swing arm sits in relation to the horizontal form model to model... it's tightest when level with the ground, so if the rest position puts it above horizontal, then you'll need to sit on it to bring it down to level... if on a lower bike it's below horizontal, then jacking it up will level out the swing arm and produce the tight spot you need for tension setting... always follow what your manual says for your bike Jeff.!
@@Moonfleet41 I have a 07 street glide. And thank you
great info again m8 atb iain
Thanks mate👍
Hi Dell hope your well 👍where can I get a genuine Harley service manual can find Haynes and others cheers👍
Hi mate.. Genuine Harley manuals come from the main dealer.. lots of money, but head and shoulders above any other alternative..!
@@Moonfleet41 Right ok I know there are big money from dealer .... dealer it is then thanks again 👍😎
You also might find one you can download from the net. I did a few years back for a XL883R. Printed it off in my old work's printer. Ran to 900 pages though. Glad I waited until everyone had went home for the day 🙈😀
I still have it. Bike long gone though. Was double useful
Great Watch 👍. Can I ask what brand of f ramp this is I’m looking to get one to work on my Harley ultra limited 😊
This is the lift I'm using in this video mate... here's the link to Sealey: www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637191834/680kg-airhydraulic-motorcycle-lift
@@Moonfleet41 thanks looks like it might be the one I’ll buy as it looks heavy duty. One thing to ask as you have experience with the lift, would a Harley Davidson ultra limited fit into the lift as I’ve noticed the platform length is only 2meters and think it might just be a bit short.
@@boylejohnstone1 Yes it'll be fine Craig, i had my SGS on there several times and also my buddies CVO Ultra... the back wheel is fully planted on the table, even if there isn;t much left behind it... Most lifts are 6ft long, just use ratchet straps always and make sure you strap it on safely, also leaving the bike in gear when you ride it up and switch off helps stop it moving.. We have a video on the safe operation of a motorcycle lift if it would help you.. Good luck with it and have fun.
@@Moonfleet41 thanks for the info. I’ve actually just bought the lift and it’s been delivered. Did you have any issues on first use bleeding the hydraulics of it ?
@@boylejohnstone1 Not at all mate, it worked first time faultlessly right out of the crate ! Good luck with it, go safe and enjoy your lift. !
I don't think tiny little Penny weights enough to simulate the weight of an average rider. LOL
Ha ha.. you're right, and we did discuss that.. maybe i should have given here a sack of potatoes to take with her..!!!!!
Bagsy 1 st ? 😚
Sold..!
all 'Belt'ed' up ., 😉 . Hi Penny . What Big feet ...
I have a fatboy change 2belt in 3month 😢
Damn that's harsh.. sorry to hear that. What caused it.?
This is getting silly now !
So , HD do a bike that has completely practical luggage racks and back rest retainers which are simple and invisible with the aforementioned removed . They also have the cheek to put simple markings on the lower belt guard to make it easy to check the tension. Then they have the audacity to put wheel adjuster cams on that are linked together so you can't get the adjustment out of line..
The dirty wotnots! how very dare they ? !
Btw Aunt Maude says thanks for the plug on the Harley books , you can't bloody move round her gaff for them . !
Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮❤
Yeah, the bare faced temerity of them, who'd they think they are?.. i mean after 117 years making pretty much the same bike... And Aha, that's where all the HD manuals went.. i recon Maude thought they were Kays Catalogues, saw the HD, and thought they had the Heavy Duty Combat wired Bras on special offer..!
@@Moonfleet41
🙈HDCWB 🤗
heavy duty combat wired bras .....you kill me 👍🏻☮❤😉
@@springy-2112 Dude, they're a thing, .. the "HDCWB" Runs on diesel, carries two huge milkers and comes with tactical night scope mounts..
@@Moonfleet41
This explains a lot about Aunt Maudes Byzantine posture ! 😉
Unnecessarily complicated and requiring a great deal planning and logistics .
👜