Just checked the adjustment on my belt & it appears tight. I have searched numerous sites but can find nothing on how to adjust the tension on the Tri Glide belt. Would appreciate advice.
2018 Tri Glide Belt Adjustment
- Thread starter moonchaser
- Start date
Jack Klarich
18000+ Posts
Hi Jim. Harley runs these belts tight to begin with from the factory . Too tight IMO
Here is a step by step on how to check and adjust the belt. Sorry I have no pictures to go with this. It is a pain to adjust. Best of luck
CHECKING DRIVE BELT DEFLECTION
Check the belt deflection with the transmission in neutral, at the loosest spot in belt, with the motorcycle at room temperature, with the rear wheels either elevated or on the ground without rider or luggage.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. THEN check belt deflection in the middle of the belt and then rotate the rear wheels and measure the deflection again at several locations around the belt and then select the loosest measurement point and compare that with the proper specifications and then adjust the belt as required by removing the rear wheels, loosening the four pinch block bolts on each side, loosening the jam nuts on both adjustment screws, checking the axle alignment before adjusting belt tension, verifying that the axle housing is tight against the head of the adjustment screw and then using a scale or dial caliper measuring the distance from the face of the adapter plate to the front of the axle housing on both sides. The distance must be within .062 in. (1.6 mm) on each side. THEN turning the adjustment screws until the measurement is within specification. You will reduce or increase the belt deflection by turning the adjustment screw on each side in or out an equal number of turns and then verifying that firm contact is made with heads of the adjustment screws and checking the belt deflection and repeating these steps until belt deflection is within specifications. Then snugging the jam nut against the rear of each adapter plate and again checking the axle alignment measurement and tightening the jam nuts to 15-25 ft-lbs (20.3-34.0 Nm). THEN removing one pinch block bolt at a time and removing all residual threadlocking compound from the threaded hole in the pinch block and using compressed air, blowing out any debris. If a bolt is to be reused, removing all threadlocking compound using a wire brush or awire wheel, applying Loctite Medium Strength Threadlocker 243 (blue) to the threaded area, installing the bolt with a flat washer and tightening it until snug. THEN tightening all pinch block bolts in a crosswise pattern to 41-45 ft-lbs (55.6-61.0 Nm), rechecking belt deflection, rotating the rear tires a few rotations by hand and verifying that the belt does not contact either the battery tray or frame and if either is the case, adjusting the rear axle lateral alignment. THEN installing the rear wheels and tightening the lug nuts in a crosswise pattern to 90-100 ft-lbs (122.0-135.6) and any time a rear wheel is removed and installed, the lug nut torque must be checked within 500-1000 mi (805-1610 km). THEN re-connecting the battery negative (-) cable and tightening the screw to 60-70 in-lbs (6.8-7.9 Nm). ALSO always, after re-installing the seat, pulling upward on it to be sure it is properly and securely locked in position
Here is a step by step on how to check and adjust the belt. Sorry I have no pictures to go with this. It is a pain to adjust. Best of luck
CHECKING DRIVE BELT DEFLECTION
Check the belt deflection with the transmission in neutral, at the loosest spot in belt, with the motorcycle at room temperature, with the rear wheels either elevated or on the ground without rider or luggage.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. THEN check belt deflection in the middle of the belt and then rotate the rear wheels and measure the deflection again at several locations around the belt and then select the loosest measurement point and compare that with the proper specifications and then adjust the belt as required by removing the rear wheels, loosening the four pinch block bolts on each side, loosening the jam nuts on both adjustment screws, checking the axle alignment before adjusting belt tension, verifying that the axle housing is tight against the head of the adjustment screw and then using a scale or dial caliper measuring the distance from the face of the adapter plate to the front of the axle housing on both sides. The distance must be within .062 in. (1.6 mm) on each side. THEN turning the adjustment screws until the measurement is within specification. You will reduce or increase the belt deflection by turning the adjustment screw on each side in or out an equal number of turns and then verifying that firm contact is made with heads of the adjustment screws and checking the belt deflection and repeating these steps until belt deflection is within specifications. Then snugging the jam nut against the rear of each adapter plate and again checking the axle alignment measurement and tightening the jam nuts to 15-25 ft-lbs (20.3-34.0 Nm). THEN removing one pinch block bolt at a time and removing all residual threadlocking compound from the threaded hole in the pinch block and using compressed air, blowing out any debris. If a bolt is to be reused, removing all threadlocking compound using a wire brush or awire wheel, applying Loctite Medium Strength Threadlocker 243 (blue) to the threaded area, installing the bolt with a flat washer and tightening it until snug. THEN tightening all pinch block bolts in a crosswise pattern to 41-45 ft-lbs (55.6-61.0 Nm), rechecking belt deflection, rotating the rear tires a few rotations by hand and verifying that the belt does not contact either the battery tray or frame and if either is the case, adjusting the rear axle lateral alignment. THEN installing the rear wheels and tightening the lug nuts in a crosswise pattern to 90-100 ft-lbs (122.0-135.6) and any time a rear wheel is removed and installed, the lug nut torque must be checked within 500-1000 mi (805-1610 km). THEN re-connecting the battery negative (-) cable and tightening the screw to 60-70 in-lbs (6.8-7.9 Nm). ALSO always, after re-installing the seat, pulling upward on it to be sure it is properly and securely locked in position
ultrafxr
1250+ Posts
I agree the belt seems tight from the factory. Put just under 30k on 2018 TG and never touched the belt. And yes it was tight. Same on my 2020 - belt is tight but I’m not touching it. Adjustment seems way complicated and could get things out of alignment imo. If it ain’t broke don’t break it.
Fearless
Gone But Not Forgotten
the only way to tell is look at the belt and see if it is running in the middle your luck if it is. I have looked at several and most run on the inside of the pulley on the edge. Wearing the side of the belt. When I had mine I aligned it to the center. Only if it's ridiculously tight it will ruin bearings in the differential
Jack Klarich
18000+ Posts
I like to run my belts a bit on the looser side. Less wear and tear on the clutch hub and bearings. Like Fred said it is IMPORTANT to check how the belt tracks
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