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| iddur | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/12/2009 | | Posts | : | 32 | | Location | : | Leeds, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 20 Apr 2010 - 15:18 Post title : Drive Belt Adjustment. | | | I recently ordered the triumph tool which tests the tension on the belt therefore giving you an idea as to whether it needs adjustment or not. ( other than just guesswork ).
Upon arrival one of the mechanics spoke to me and said there was no point buying it as they had just received a new directive from Triumph. Apparently this states that an additional tool was now required to check the allignment of the belt as well as the tension.
So I basically said whats the best thing to do and he just said to bring the bike in to have it checked and adjusted occasionally. He also mentioned that the belts on the bikes they have serviced so far rarely need adjustment. Anyone else come across this ? 
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| ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 20 Apr 2010 - 16:19 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: iddur) | | | My belt became really loose during break-in. Once readjusted, no more problems in a couple of thousand miles.
This is not my first belt drive and I just approximate the adjustment based on how it was originally. About 1/2 - 3/4" of flex with 10 pounds of pressure on the top run.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. 
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| zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 20 Apr 2010 - 20:47 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: iddur) | | | im considering buying the tool just because then i know its checked properly, did the mechanic say what the tool number was? or is it a ruse to get you to let them check your belt?
if you get the "new" tool number please let me know
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| iddur | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/12/2009 | | Posts | : | 32 | | Location | : | Leeds, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 21 Apr 2010 - 07:23 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: zolti) | | | I suspect its just another ruse to keep the tills flowing.  The next time im in there i will get the tool number.
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| Jimbo | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 25/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,032 | | Location | : | Queanbeyan, N.S.W., Australia |
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| | Posted : 21 Apr 2010 - 07:55 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: iddur) | | |
I ordered and have received the tool in the Service manual #T3880126, despite the Dealer telling me I wouldn't need it!
Don't know anything about any 'new tool'!
Couldn't get it from my own Dealer, so got one from Pure Triumph. Great guys over there - always very helpful.
Cheers
Jimbo
| Cheers
Jimbo (Bishop) 
Keep the black side trackside and the shiny side up!
Veterans MC - Federal Chapter
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| Thatch | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 21 Apr 2010 - 13:45 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: Jimbo) | | | I came equipped with the two required tools. My right ear and index finger. If I hear chirping, I tighten the belt till it's tight enough when I push on it with my finger. Thankfully these tools weren't on backorder, but it might be cool to have Triumph versions of them.
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 21 Apr 2010 - 20:16 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: Thatch) | | | 
On a serious note - my belt is starting to chirp once again - post BB-Kit!
I think al the heavy right hand the past thousand kilometers has streched the belt a little.
Will have to search for the index finger and clear out the ear!
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
 -x-  -x- 
more info at Fuelly.com
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| mad_angler1 | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 18/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 511 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 21 Apr 2010 - 21:55 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: Birdy68) | | | just remember the tool is only needed if you feel you cant see the gauge in the lower plastic belt guard, in fact if you cant see it save your self come cash and just remove the RH pipe and then you will have no problem, i have the tool and if i am honest i used it once, put it in the draw and its not been out since, i now just check the deflection via the above, far easier
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| zolti | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 22 Apr 2010 - 11:31 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: mad_angler1) | | | ineresting, will give that a shot
thanks
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| large | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 22/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 168 | | Location | : | North Tazewell, virgina, United States |
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| | Posted : 22 Apr 2010 - 21:51 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: zolti) | | | how do you torque the axle nut without removing the rh pipe ? I had a hard time geting the belt centered in the pulley any tips ? thanks
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| ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 22 Apr 2010 - 22:46 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: large) | | | re: centering. Here's what I found out just a few weeks ago.
I removed the front pulley cover (chrome, right side) to watch while I was tensioning and trying to center the belt.
Every time I had the rear pulley "centered", the belt was off (toward the left) of the front pulley by at least 1/4 - 3/8".
After several tries, I adjusted the belt to be full on the front... which resulted in the rear typically being against one side. I now run it like that and don't worry.
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| daz | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,709 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 23 Apr 2010 - 03:51 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: ataDude) | | | Thats the correct way. I talked to a dealer and triumph USA and the said it's supposed to run against one side. it's obvious that with nothing to keep it in the center it's always going to wander to one side eventually. Possibly with some exceptions, but that i imagine would be rare. The real issue is just to be sure the wheel is aligned straight as possible so that while it does run up against the side flange, it's not so out of alignment that it rubs it too hard. It's said with many bikes that the alignment marks on the adjusters are not accurate. However, on the Tbird i trust them because they are far more precision looking than on for example my speedmaster. So i just used those to align it. And i'm sure the manual also recommends that or they wouldn't likely even have marks there.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 23 Apr 2010 - 05:15 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: daz) | | | 
OK - so I don't want to appear more stupid than I already am, but...
When I come to tension my belt (soon) - I would have thought that after loosening the rear axel bolt I could/would simply tighten the adjuster bolt the same on both sides and not necessarily look at the markings!?
Something along the lines of...
- Loosen axel bolt
- tighten right adjust bolt 1/4 turn right side
- tighten right adjust bolt 1/4 turn left side
- test belt tension:
--- tension OK:
--- re-tighten axel bolt
--- END
--- tension NOT OK:
- tighten right adjust bolt 1/4 turn right side
- tighten right adjust bolt 1/4 turn left side
- test belt tension:
--- tension OK:
--- re-tighten axel bolt
--- END
--- tension NOT OK
...
...
...
Or do I need to give it another good coat of looking-at first?
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,709 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 23 Apr 2010 - 14:07 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: Birdy68) | | | well, yes, you can do that. But after removing the wheel to re-tire it you will then need to watch the marks. Or if you have adjusted the belt a number of times. the additive affect of very slight differences in your wrenching each time may add up and you then might do well to check them. but mainly after removing the wheel is when you'll need to watch it. When i put a new tire on the rear i used a silver colored sharpie to mark where it was, then after setting it there once the wheel was back on i checked the belt to insure it was correct.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| zolti | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 23 Apr 2010 - 18:06 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: daz) | | | and was it?
i would assume if the settings arnt altered and the settings recorded as you did the wheel should go in as it came out, albeit with a new tread...
my method is as Birdy68 but as this is my first belt so am open to be educated if it differs
Daz - not sure i agree with t-usa, on the basis that bandsaws run on a rubbered wheel set at the top of the machine. they have a screw to adjust the running tension etc. once aligned the band will run without moving from one side or the other. if you adjust as the machine is running you can see the band veering either towards you or away from you.
perhaps there is a slight misalignment intrinsic to the bird! in which case t-usa would be right
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| lwc1600 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 05/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 114 | | Location | : | Lakeland, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Apr 2010 - 00:18 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: mad_angler1) | | |  Please explain to this redneck boy how you know the adjustment is correct by looking thru the hole . This is the hole that is at the front of the belt cover, right ?
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 27 Apr 2010 - 07:28 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: lwc1600) | | | If you can push the belt upwards - with your finger - so that it goes off/out of the scale (marks at side of hole), then the belt is too slack and requires tightening!
Look at the picture below:
If you can push the belt up into the red area then you need to tighten you belt.
This hole and gauge is located behind the exhaust, see photo below:
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
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| erey | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/04/2009 | | Posts | : | 100 | | Location | : | Bulle, FR, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 27 Apr 2010 - 13:08 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: Birdy68) | | | 
Birdy you are so good with us
| erey - Eric / Blog Link
«Tout ce qui est excessif est insignifiant.»
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| zolti | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 27 Apr 2010 - 20:10 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: Birdy68) | | | thats saved me a few quid birdy, a pint awaits thee when your passing geordie land - excellent ty
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| mickey | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 04/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 7 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Aug 2010 - 03:45 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: Thatch) | | | My first belt-drive bike. Describe "chirping", please. At 3500 miles I have a nasty, repeating, high-pitched, metallic squeak that increases in frequency as I go faster. I've been assuming it's a bad rear wheel bearing. It certainly sounds like a wonky bearing, but there is none of the rumbling or vibration I'd expect. Just the squeak.
If it's just belt tension I'll be delighted to my very toes.
In the meanwhile, here is a link to a belt tension tool that claims to be "universal" for all 10-pound belts: Link
If it's as simple as tightening the belt until it stops making noise perhaps I'll save myself a wheel bearing AND a $27 tension tool, eh?
It's under warranty, but with my commute I'd probably spend more than the cost of a wheel bearing driving my SUV while the bike is in the shop. Besides, it's riding season. I'm willing to put up with a lot of annoying expenses to keep the bike out of the Black Hole that is the Triumph dealer's garage.
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| mickey | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 04/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 7 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Aug 2010 - 03:47 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: Birdy68) | | | Birdy, I was wondering what that scale was for. I'm off to the garage for one of my late night, ill-advised tinkering sessions that usually result in my driving a boring truck to work the next day.
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,709 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Aug 2010 - 04:12 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: mickey) | | | Well, i'm not quite sure anymore exactly whats going on with the belt. But i can tell you mine was doing that and i tightened it and it went away completely. Eventually when i got a new tire at 7k, after putting the wheel back on it was doing it again and adjusting it tighter hasn't been doing the trick anymore. i made sure it's aligned the same as it was and everything but the chirp remains. I think it's as tight as it should be, but i suppose i might tighten it a bit more and see.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| bigbikelupo | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 13/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 185 | | Location | : | Frankfurt, Germany |
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| | Posted : 04 Aug 2010 - 06:23 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: daz) | | |
daz wrote:
Well, i'm not quite sure anymore exactly whats going on with the belt. But i can tell you mine was doing that and i tightened it and it went away completely. Eventually when i got a new tire at 7k, after putting the wheel back on it was doing it again and adjusting it tighter hasn't been doing the trick anymore. i made sure it's aligned the same as it was and everything but the chirp remains. I think it's as tight as it should be, but i suppose i might tighten it a bit more and see. |
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Loosen the belt will have the same result. I do have about 1/2 slack, not under pressure with
a measurement tool, I mean real slack, it works noiseless without abrasion from the belt
on the rear wheel.
My experience and the experience from most motorcycle owners with belt drive confirm this way
of adjustment.
Do what you think its best, its up to you..................................................
| Is there an afterlife ?
Touch my bike and figure it out.
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| DizzE | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Aug 2010 - 14:31 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: bigbikelupo) | | | Lupo, I've seen you mention this before. "Real Slack" Just to be clear, the picture Bridy posted.. The red area give a good reference.
So when you say 1/2 for slack, do you mean 1/2 way to the top belt? 1/2" beyond "normal?"
Where does you belt slack show, in terms of Birdy's red area?
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| bigbikelupo | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 13/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 185 | | Location | : | Frankfurt, Germany |
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| | Posted : 04 Aug 2010 - 15:50 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: DizzE) | | |
DizzE wrote:
Lupo, I've seen you mention this before. "Real Slack" Just to be clear, the picture Bridy posted.. The red area give a good reference.
So when you say 1/2 for slack, do you mean 1/2 way to the top belt? 1/2" beyond "normal?"
Where does you belt slack show, in terms of Birdy's red area? |
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I mean you can move the belt when its cold up 1/2" and down 1/2" without any force to the belt. There is no reason to be afraid
that the belt would slide over, there are guys who drive the bike thousands of miles with the double of the mentioned slack
without any problems.
The opposite could cause problems, damaged bearings, cracked belts, outworn pulleys etc.
Thats my experience I've made with other bikes, I know that this is totally different to all manuals
| Is there an afterlife ?
Touch my bike and figure it out.
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| DizzE | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Aug 2010 - 18:17 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: bigbikelupo) | | | Ahhh...so, buy a new bike, say a Thunderbird, and put that slack in...on purpose?!
I'm just asking about a detail:
1- would you dial in a new bike that way?
2- Or, are you saying "don't worry if it get's that way."
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| ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Aug 2010 - 18:21 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: DizzE) | | | Based on another drive-belt bike I've had, I'd personally dial it in a little loose... the 1/2" in either direction seems about right. Too tight can wear out front sprocket and rear bearings pretty quickly, according to what the other manufacturer found out... and subsequently changed to a looser tolerance .
And, I'd suggest removing the right side front sprocket cover while you're doing this... that drive sprocket only has one rim and you can easily get the belt way off center if you're not watching.
I adjust mine on a jack, running and in third gear... slightly move the adjusters for alignment... shut down for the tension check... or you'll lose a finger or two.
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| | Post edited by ataDude on 04 Aug 2010 - 18:24 |
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 06 Aug 2010 - 09:25 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: ataDude) | | |
ataDude wrote:
...I adjust mine on a jack, running and in third gear... slightly move the adjusters for alignment... shut down for the tension check... |
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Brilliant insight - thanks mate!
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,709 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 06 Aug 2010 - 14:12 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. | | | I will have to look into this. I think i will ask the experts....at a harley forum ! After all, those guys have been riding belts for years now, so if anyone would know it's them. I'll post back with my findings.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| zolti | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 06 Aug 2010 - 21:26 Post title : Re: Drive Belt Adjustment. (Re: daz) | | | interestingly if your aligning static initially, my dealer tells me the bikes running tolerance is 0.6%
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