| Author | Message | ||
     Newbie1 |
Anybody using this? I have 08 xt and forgot to turn up rear preload when riding 2 up...and noticed felt/heard a thrumming when suspension got near bottom like belt teeth and pulley teeth not engaging properly. Or am I just hallucinating? Love this bike | ||
| Xbimmer |
You're not hallucinating, mine does it too feels like something's rubbing but nothing can. Treadmarks uses the Springy Thingy, I'm VERY interested to see whether it prolongs his belt/bearing life. | ||
| Ulynut |
I've bottomed out mine before and didn't notice a noise like that. Now I have to go out and try. Thank you.  | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Newbie1, my wife and I delivered a bike to someone today, and on the way home she had to ride pillion. The suspension on my Uly is not set up for 2. Every time it wallowed, I got that thrumming vibration. Perfectly normal I'd say. | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
I think you may be feeling the valve cover rubbing on the seat pan. Look and see if the seat plastic is worn where it touches the valve cover. That is a place to start. I'm guessing the extra weight makes things start to rub where they usually don't. Just my guess. | ||
| Skinstains |
I think it's the belt running out of length and trying to pull the rear axle and the trannies output shaft closer together. I will be putting a chain on my Uly as soon as I take delivery. | ||
| Xbimmer |
I think you may be feeling the valve cover rubbing on the seat pan.  Please clarify. I will be putting a chain on my Uly as soon as I take delivery. How do you plan to avoid shock loadings for wheel bearing longevity? | ||
| Skinstains |
With a chain I can set the tension so that it is never too tight. I believe this to be the cause of a lot of the rear wheel bearing failures. I have chains on all three of my Bolts and have never had a problem with wheel bearings. My bikes all have some miles on them (over 20K) and are abused and neglected on a regular basis. Plus I had two belt failures (03 and 05) but they had no guards and were being driven rather harshly if not abusively. I have done no formal testing or polling these are only my observations/thoughts. | ||
| Treadmarks |
Treadmarks uses the Springy Thingy, I'm VERY interested to see whether it prolongs his belt/bearing life. 20k on the uly with the factory belt still looking good. I did change the wheel bearings tho, due to water contamination from the inside of the hub. I have since ported my rear hub to allow water to sling out if it gets in there. Since the installation of the springy thingy I have noticed the bike rolls considerably easier and coast farther. | ||
| Conchop |
It's your front isolator. If you look into one, you'll see that once you apply weight, the motor appears to move forward. It bumps up to a stop on the back of the inside of the isolator. It's a dreadful design which limits the comfort and drivability of the bike. I think some form of gel filled isolator would be better. I'm a 3XL kind of guy and the Ms. is, mmm, well, lets just say the bike will not comfortably handle both of us. My Victory's had no problem whatsoever with the extra passenger. If the front isolator had a better design, we would not be having this conversation. The belt tensioner needs to be spring loaded, too. Another superior design concept IMHO. | ||
| Svh |
I have noticed that vibration noise/feeling also and wondered what it may be. Looks like a spring tensioner is on the order list. Treadmarks- Was it a difficult install? | ||
| Treadmarks |
Simple install. Remove front pulley cover. Loosen rear axle to provide slack in belt. Remove factory idler. Transfer your idler wheel to the new tensioner device. Install new tension device in place of old idler. Tighten rear axle to remove slack in belt. Adjust new tensioner to suit your preference. May need to shim idler wheel to center of belt, shims provided with good instructions. May need to remove right side footpeg mount...can't remember.  | ||
| Red_chili |
That was the Trojan unit? Or another? | ||
| Prowler |
a HUGE +2 on the Free Spirits Belt Tensioner. I've got them on both of the bikes (Uly at 8500mi, the STT at 5700mi). | ||
| Treadmarks |
Mine is the free spirits unit, purchased through Trojan. | ||
| Nipsey |
I too am a Trojan Man - at least as far as the belt tensioner is concerned. Seems to work great - looks schnazzy too | ||
| Spectra |
I THINK IT IS TIRES,HAD THE SAME FEELINGS.IT WENT AWAY WITH ROAD SMARTS. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
I know I don't belong in this forum, since I have only a regular XB not an XB on steroids ( ULY, HAHA!) But I have the F.S. belt tensioner from Trojan as well! Very nice little unit! super easy to install and i'm convinced it will help the belt in the long run. Plus it looks cool as all get out! Just my 2 cents.....back to where I belong now.   | ||
| Bigkuri |
You also need to trim the bottom edge of your pulley cover a little bit to give clearance - instructions are provided with the tensioner. | ||
| Bud |
and for the reall durty riders, check it every know and then if it still will function.. mine was a little sqeuky after a lot off km durt and road salt ( and using a power washer ) | ||
| Lostbiker |
Am convinced of the tensioner goodness, even tho i did break a belt with it on. Gravel worn belt & wheelie time = unavoidable breakage... Now to look up thrumming in the dictionary... Good 'descriptive' word even if it may or may not be an actual word!  |
