Which has the stronger value?

[Sparky_Bill]

Adjusting the belt alignment and tension. I did equal turns on the adjusting nuts and got the tension correct but the belt was moving against one side of the pulley so I adjusted one side till there was just a little gap on the side that was touching before. The belt is not in the middle or I would have to make the adjustment makes even further off but now is not rubbing on one side. The question is now I am not even on the adjusting marks on the swing arm but the belt is not rubbing the side of the pulley.

I have not had this before. The belt on my other bikes rode off the side of the pulley when the alignment marks were even. Which adjustment is more important to have right?

[flatsboy]

My 2 cents - center the belt, check the deflection. Adjusters and swingarms may be a little off from one to another. Adjuster marks are a place to start, the needed result is how the belt centers between the pulley shoulders while running, it needs to run 90 degrees to the output shaft and axle, then the wheel should be in line. That's how I dial it anyway, the bike runs true, no strange tire wear. This is assuming you have a belt that has been running true and the teeth aren't worn to one side or the other. Adjuster marks are there to drive you crazy with a belt, they have more value with chain and sprockets IMO.

[John Ritter]

My belt on the 99 has always shaded to the right side of the pulley, and has taken a lot of frolicking to get it both algined,(albeit shaded) with proper tension.

Also, check your bearings. Grab tire at 09:00 and 15:00 and rock back and forth. If it rocks at all, bearing could be out, also push and pull if the rim slides back and forth, bearing could be out. If bearings are out, you won't be able to align it.

Was your belt loose Sparky? Was it your belt we heard last week?

[Sparky_Bill]

It was somewhat loose but really took turns to move off the outside rail of the rear pulley. It's now running to the outside but just off it a paper thickness.

[John Ritter]

Is your front pulley loose?

I know, belts should be easy, but, on some machines it can be challenging...

[JoeGopher]

Just out of curiosity Bill, was this on your Vision or the '99?

[Rainmaker]

Larry's method is pretty close to the Service Manual. See attached.
It isn't realistic to think you can get it to track exactly in the center. So following the procedure in the manual gets you as close as possible.
As far as your question is concerned you need the belt tension set at the tightest point. And the page 23 explains a way you can find that spot.
Sorry, about the two upoads

[Sparky_Bill]

Joe this is on the Vision the 99 when it was equal the belt ran in the middle. Thanks for the picture rob the book that comes with it did not say just use the hash marks initially. That is what I finally did but going to redo with what you sent now to be sure it's good.

[johnny vision]

You want the belt just off the right side of pulley. If its thigh on the right you will have a chirp. Always roll wheel in forward direction.
Have axle nut snug to much free play on axle nut will give you false adjustment. I try to have a credit card space between belt and right inside of pulley.
When you feel you have it right go down the road about 60 and take hands off bars just for second and see with way bike drifts. Straight is perfect any other way belt is off. Dean at MotoPrimo says let it chirp they all do.
Belts are a bitch

[craz1]

After adjusting my belt per the manual, my marks are off also. I adjust the belt so it's just coming off the right side of the pulley, and stops with a very small gap (credit card or less)

[Sparky_Bill]

Wayne and John that is what I did but did not know it was the right thing. Now I do, thanks to all of you.

[John Ritter]

Hands off riding and pulling could be the result of many things, not just belt - something to keep in mind. (wind, tires, weight distribution, road surface and angle, etc...)

[stillsteamn]

I've had for some time a puzzling high-pitched squeaking or chirping sound that seems to come from the engine area but maybe it's coming from the front sprocket area, and when the front wheel hits a pot hole I will get a loud squawk like something rubbed. The guys at Motoprimo of course did not hear anything but I was not hearing it that day either, and it was a hot day. I'm just now figuring out that maybe this is a belt squeak? Now that I started looking at the belt I think the squawk may be the top of the belt hitting the belt guard because I believe I saw a rub mark inside the belt guard.

What do you guys use for a 10-lb force? Or do you just use your hand and guess on the 10lb? The manual that Rainmaker attached says adjust the belt by rotating the rear tire by hand. Is that all you do or do you start the bike on the lift, put it in gear and run it (I'd rather not).

[flatsboy]

What do you guys use for a 10-lb force? Or do you just use your hand and guess on the 10lb? The manual that Rainmaker attached says adjust the belt by rotating the rear tire by hand. Is that all you do or do you start the bike on the lift, put it in gear and run it (I'd rather not).

Dean, you could try to chase down the Gates tool but the easier way is to grab a bathroom scale and see what it takes for your finger to exert 10 lbs of force and use that as a reference (bring the scale out to the garage if your finger forgets on the way to the bike).

If you really want to see how forgetful your finger is, grab a cheap turnbuckle from the hardware, place your scale on the floor under the belt, place the turnbuckle on the scale and extend the turnbuckle against the belt until it reads 10 lbs on the scale. I put the bike on a portable ATV/Cycle lift and rotate the tire several times by hand. Since I removed my lower belt guard I use a ruler for meaurements. No squeaks and unlike the V92 I can get my belt to ride very close to the center on the Hammer.

I lost a good bit of frustrating noise by removing the lower belt guard (Joe at Diggers recommended doing this).

[KillerX]

You can get a belt tension guide from Dennis Kirk.

[stillsteamn]

I think you are supposed to push up on the belt when checking the tension. As opposed to pulling down. Is that correct? Larry's turnbuckle idea would work good for pushing up on the belt. It's odd that when I went into Motoprimo last Sep. or so, complaining of squeaking/chirping, no one suggested it could be a belt problem. My belt does seem looser than the 1.25" recommended, and it is running against the inside of the rear sprocket. Belt looks good, I'll make the adjustments.

[flatsboy]

I think you are supposed to push up on the belt when checking the tension. As opposed to pulling down. Is that correct?

Deflection is deflection, up or down, whichever way is easier to measure. I use up.