Final Drive Belt

[Blackie]

FYI: Final drive belt broke on 08' Ridgeback and couldn't locate one.(a good quality one).By chance got on S&S website and they make them in conjunction with Gates Belts. Belt is very good quality. Old belt got so hot it warped front pully, which I got from Drag Specialties. Everything back together and works fine. Belt is reasonably priced also.

 

[BigDogBro1]

Good to hear you're back on the road.

Thanks for the info!

IMO...I think most secondary drive belts on these dogs are overtightened to banjo string tension. Once the belt is overtightened and stretched past having its geometry match the pulley geometry you begin to get squeaks and possible extra heat generation. It also puts undue stress, wear and extra heat buildup in the rear wheel bearings causing premature failures...IMO.

 

[Blackie]

Yeah I believe my belt was overtightened as I had rear wheel off recently. I have 23,500 miles on it but it still should have lasted longer. It got mucho hot though and there was only about 1/4" all way around left when I finally noticed and stopped!!

 

[RRRUFF]

Good to hear you're back on the road.

Thanks for the info!

IMO...I think most secondary drive belts on these dogs are overtightened to banjo string tension. Once the belt is overtightened and stretched past having its geometry match the pulley geometry you begin to get squeaks and possible extra heat generation. It also puts undue stress, wear and extra heat buildup in the rear wheel bearings causing premature failures...IMO.

:2thumbs: I agree 100% the tension in the manual is to tight. I figured this out when a friend of mine was running his K9 alot looser than spec with no slipage and he rides it hard. I went with the SuperMax system on my last replacement and the guy there also told me the tendancy is that we are running these belts to tight.

 

[wyatt580]

What kind of play in the belt are we talking??? I just adjusted mine to spec after taking drive gear off to replace tranny seals... now you got me wondering....thanxx

 

[BigDogBro1]

I've seen one in our group (an HD EVO softail old style custom) adjusted so that you can twist the belt 90 degrees vertical with some effort and he has zero problems. Mine is still tight at 1" deflection with about 7 lbs. force (estimated by hand). I do ride occassionally with a passenger so I don't want to get it too loose and have belt jump when I crank on the torque and excessive pulley wear.

 

[outdoorsman26]

it takes a bit to do but I run mine til it slips then I tighten it up til no slippy!! after you do it a couple times ya get the idea as to where it should be!!

 

[lee]

I've seen one in our group (an HD EVO softail old style custom) adjusted so that you can twist the belt 90 degrees vertical with some effort

that's exactly how I do mine :2thumbs:

I possibly have mine tighter than most but my rear pulley teeth aren't what they should be and any looser and it skips

 

[pknowles]

Does anybody use the procedure in the service manual.

 

[RRRUFF]

I can't really say for sure but maybe 1" to ' 1-1/4" reasonably light pressure with my finger. I will check the twist to 90 degree method when I get a chance. Really just as long as it doesn't slip or slap the frame your ok.

 

[Vince81]

Many people tend to "overtighten' the rear drive belt.It's a common thing...you think "hmmm it's too loose" then you get it tighter and say to yourself:'hmmmm too tight".
You should have at least 2"vertical slack in your belt for a softail application.More is ok too.....if you ride 2 up often -even a little more.
I dont like or go by the BDM Manual or shop book....it's too tight in my opinion and even though I dont run ANY of my bikes with a rear drive belt(all mine are chain rear drive) I have BDM BDL AND Gates rear drive belts here in stock for sale all the time if anyone needs em.
Vince