Check Your Drive Belt Tension

[hulkss]

I'm only 2000 miles past my 1000 mile dealer service and my drive belt was a bit loose. Do not run with an under tensioned belt.

To check:
The bike should be on the ground with weight on wheels but no rider or other loads (on the jiffy stand is OK).
There is a little window in the belt guard below the swing arm ahead of the left saddlebag.
Push up with 10 pounds force using tension gauge HD-35381-A, so you see the gauge moving in the window.

With 12 inch shocks the belt deflection should be 1/4 - 7/16 inch as the load is applied.
With 13 inch shocks the belt deflection should be 3/8 - 9/16 inch as the load is applied.

To adjust tension:
Remove the E-clip on the right end of the rear axle, loosen the axle nut (36mm). Leave a little clamp pressure to keep things straight. Turn the left side axle hex head to rotate the tensioning cams (both sides will turn). Check tension. Torque the axle nut to 100 ft-lbs. Double check that the cams touch the swing arm bosses and the tension is correct. Replace E-clip.

Tension gauge illustration:

 

[Spazz]

Thanks for the detailed post Hulkss.... GREAT info and it's easy to do....

 

[Solex]

Yep, great advice. Just adjusted my belt Sunday,, like yours, very loose at 4000 mi.
I found it easier to remove the right shock rather than the muffler to access the axle nut..

 

[hulkss]

Yep, great advice. Just adjusted my belt Sunday,, like yours, very loose at 4000 mi.
I found it easier to remove the right shock rather than the muffler to access the axle nut..

I bought one of these wrenches on eBay and did not have to take off any parts except the saddlebag.

 

[Mojo]

Great advice Hulkss. I just had mine adjusted when I did my 10K (at 12k!)

 

[graywolfhd]

More great info! Thanks!

Sent from my Note4 via Tapatalk

 

[OldMike]

Mine is very loose at 4,500 miles on the bike.

 

[Spazz]

Just picked up a gauge.....

 

[Pistol Pete]

So here is a silly question, How do you check the tension if you have an air ride? filled up,slammed or mid way?

 

[Mandrew]

Not a silly question. I would recommend checking tension at your normal ride height.

 

[GreetSlide808]

Checked my belt tension today after receiving my tensioner tool. It was very loose. I think it was more than an inch deflection. Very easy to do. How often do I check it ? Sorry don't have my manual with me right now. Thanks Hulkss for the easy to follow instructions.

 

[hulkss]

Check it every time you change the oil. A brand new belt loosens up quickly and needs an early adjustment after a few hundred miles.

 

[GreetSlide808]

Check it every time you change the oil. A brand new belt loosens up quickly and needs an early adjustment after a few hundred miles.

Thanks again Hulkss. The mechanic who replaced my rear tire left it way too loose. I should've known better and checked it when I got home. I just regret I finally got around to checking it at 25K miles. I guess some people gotta learn the hard way. Took the bike out this morning for the commute to work. My bike is a lot smoother now . Feels like when I took it off the showroom .

 

[NewRider]

Check it every time you change the oil. A brand new belt loosens up quickly and needs an early adjustment after a few hundred miles.

Great info and with the tools you mentioned it should be easy enough to do. This something I didn't give much thought to especially since I was planning on doing my own fluid changes. I can look at cables and brakes but never really thought about this.

All my previous bikes had chains and it was real easy to tell when they needed adjustment..... Yeah it's been that long........

 

[bigsixman]

After reading Hulkss' post, I purchased an OTC belt tension tool off ebay and I checked my 2009 SG with 4,900 miles and it was a little loose. I also purchased the 36mm wrench off ebay and it made the job go rather easy.
It is certainly an item that needs periodic checking and the correct tools make it an easy task.

 

[BlkDragon]

Which gauge and wrench from eBay?