| Author | Message | ||
     Ulynut |
I installed a new drive belt today, as well as rear brake pads, and clutch cable. As reported by others, the belt is really tight. After adjusting the clutch, I took a test ride and there is quite a bit of drag going on. Has anyone experienced this after installing a new drive belt? I'm pretty sure it's not the brake dragging, but I could be wrong.  | ||
| Brumbear |
Dan ride it a bit don't touch the rear brake stop and test the caliper for heat touch it lightly if its not hot it not draggin. As for a belt being to tight I am not sure anything can be done | ||
| Brumbear |
I just looked at the Uly pics and zoomed in I don't see anything you can do I tell you I might preheat the over to 300 degrees and throw it in on a cookie sheet for 3 or 7 minutes then pop it on quick as I could and bounce up and down a few times to try and stretch it a bit but it probably wouldn't work | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Is the belt pulley spinning as it should? | ||
| Ulynut |
The belt went on easily enough that it wasn't a problem at all. It's just really tight on there. I'll check to see if the caliper gets hot. I didn't even think to check the pulley. Good thinking. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
There is A LOT of drag in the belt. Blew mine coming out of first gear ..... and coasted a LONG ways with no belt drag. New belt was..... and still is very tight. Seems to be some overkill there in belt tension. | ||
| Ulynut |
Ziptab, was there a noticeable difference between the old and new belts? | ||
| Froggy |
Yes, they do cause a lot of drag, especially new. Frtiz even joked about how much easier it was for him to push it after the belt broke on his 03. Last time I swapped a new belt on I was thinking about riding without the tensioner for a bit till it settled in. | ||
| Ulynut |
Thanks for the help guys. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Freespirits belt tensioner is the answer. I'll be getting one soon, now the warranty has expired. | ||
| Hex |
I wonder if your sprockets are clean all the way down to the tooth. Is it possible that debris has built up in the sprocket wells and the new belt is resting tight on it? | ||
| Just_ziptab |
Ulynut,yes there was a "noticeable" difference. When I installed the new belt(XB9R)...........damn,that sob is tight. I don't know all the deference's in an XB long(bigger rear sprocket),but Cochise's belt is so loose,you could spin the belt idler with your little pinkie. | ||
| Froggy |
Longs/Uly uses the same sprockets, just a belt with a few more teeth due to the longer swingarm. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
"Longs/Uly uses the same sprockets, just a belt with a few more teeth due to the longer swingarm." Could have swore Cochise's rear sprocket was bigger.............dementia? | ||
| Froggy |
Unless he has an 1125R/CR or Blast, no.  | ||
| Brumbear |
I would keep an eye on the idler wheel just the same if the bearings a little worn it may develop a problem with that much tension. Just a watchful eye nothing more. | ||
| Cataract2 |
I'm up in the air about the Free Spirits Belt Tensioner. Would like to know more about it and who on here has one and how they feel about it. Might get it for the 1125R. Though, I am getting the 2010 wheels for it with the 3 bearings. So it might be a non issue now. | ||
| Aptbldr |
5k miles user, XB12R. Riding the bike, unaware of it. Maybe it shifts different. Pushing the bike around the garage, anyone would notice bike rolls about easier with less belt-tension. I wanted more uniform loading on rear wheel bearings and transmission's output bearings (weak spot, any XL/T'storm). (Message edited by aptbldr on March 09, 2010) | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Freespirits tensioner is very popular in Europe (made in Italy) look here for reviews. http://www.ukbeg.com/forum/ | ||
| Xenox |
This is only my opinion, excruciating details and observations follow. I have the Freespirits tensioner on my XB12r, one of the more significant upgrades I have made.I have about 5k on it. The wheel spins so free now,I'm thinking maybe better than chain drive and I love the belt concept once again. This less drag translates into more power, smoother power delivery, and increased fuel economy. Might sound outlandish but the drag is drag and best if it's not there. As the work load increases I can't help but think that there is a relative increase in this drag. Because of all this reduced drag, the FS tensioner also cuts all the bearings associated with the belt slack ,to the point the loads that they now support are normal for the application of the bearings allowing them to live a normal life=). Ok maybe this last point is really hard to take or believe but....I had to readjust my suspension because the tight belt was binding the suspension in general, more so in some directions than others, When all was said and done the suspension was working even better than before. Before the installation of the tensioner I had thought the suspension and my settings were awesome, after the installation, and re adjustment even more so, much to my amusement=). Another very nice thing about this tensioner is the pulley bolt is moved much closer if not on the geometric center of the swingarm pivot, though it may seem a smigde off, I was told this positioning was reached after exhaustive testing. This actually stresses the belt less through the entire movement of the suspension range, and then there is yet the shock absorption side of the tensioner that handles everything else. A dynamic tensioner, as opposed to static. As a rough gauge my original stock drive set up seemed to have average belt drag compared to some others. I had found some xb belts were tighter than others and that mine was less so maybe even towards the loose side ,but still showed definite drag. I have downshifted at relatively medium to slightly/moderately high Rs, as well as habitually downshift like a sane person, as well as accelerate like a madman with no issues. Compared to all the other mods, this has to be one of the most cost effective for all the demons it slays. At what they are asking for them I'd say it's probably one of the best bargains for a xb. | ||
| Buellblastrider |
just out of curiosity how much is a new belt? I have to replace the one on my bike because its missing some teeth | ||
| Sifo |
American Sport Bike has them for $175. http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/17057.html | ||
| Buellblastrider |
sorry i should have been more specific im looking for dealer price. americansportbike seems to add a little on regular buell parts to cover his cost of getting parts | ||
| No_rice |
sorry i should have been more specific im looking for dealer price. americansportbike seems to add a little on regular buell parts to cover his cost of getting parts hmm, all the times ive looked at stuff on there ive never seen that happen??? $175 IS retail | ||
| Froggy |
G0500.1AKF BELT, DRIVE Retail Price:$175.00 (Uly/STT/SS) G0500.1AAH BELT, DRIVE Retail Price:$175.00 (04+ XB) G0500.1AMF BELT, DRIVE, 145 TOOTH Retail Price:$162.00 (1125R) G0500.1ATB BELTDRIVE, 149T Retail Price:$175.00 (1125CR) G0500.T DRIVE BELT Retail Price:$65.00 (Blast) I have never seen Al mark anything up. I assume he has some arrangement to get them slightly below retail, then the few dollars difference is the little profit he would make off them. | ||
| Buellblastrider |
ok maybe buell has raised prices in the past. i'm not accusing of Al of anything and plan to do plenty of bussiness with him. I've just seen parts I've either bought or priced that is higher than it once was. | ||
| Froggy |
The older (weaker) belts did cost a few dollars less, down to about $150 depending on model. | ||
| Ulynut |
It's definitely the belt causing my drag. I just might get one of those Freespirit tensioners. It makes good sense to me that a belt tensioner should be spring loaded. It couldn't hurt. | ||
| Brumbear |
sounds good to me hey BTW there flat trackin on speed this very moment  | ||
| Froggy |
You sure its not a commercial break for Nascar? |
