belt too tight!!!!!!!!!!

[backwoods_buellxb9r]

idk whats going on i put it all back to spec its a 2003 buell firebolt xb9r. i just did a ton of work to her(new pulley, new belt, new plastics and paint, and new exhaust an tune) I've done all this now i am afraid to ride it because i barely have a 1/2 inch of play in the belt i need a whole inch more and ive checked everything i can think of. any ideas on what it could be will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[snrusnak]

Drive belt?

Mine is extremely tight as well, I just replaced it. I have no issues while riding though....supposedly normal...

 

[netty2424]

I've got a chain, but it seems as thou this topic comes up quite often when a belt is replaced. Always very tight when first installed.

 

[wolfo68]

Yea, it seems as though the belts need to be broken in, they seem unnaturally tight when you first put them on.

 

[snrusnak]

My new belt has been on for a few hundred miles(couple months) and it is still very tight but it did loosen up slightly. First time putting it on I just barely was able to slip it on the pulley(didn't remove the tensioner). Now I took the wheel off last weekend to fix the fuel pump and I was able to get the belt on a little easier. So it obviously loosened up slightly.

 

[backwoods_buellxb9r]

they say there's supposed to be an inch plus oof slack in the belt im just worried because ive already had a fe belts break and i havent even hit 19k the first lasted to 16k and the second lasted to 18,600 due to the pulley going to hell for some reason. now i have new belt and pulley and i dont wanna drp $152.50 again if i can avoid it.

 

[snrusnak]

where do you get that info from? I never saw anything about 1" of play.

 

[backwoods_buellxb9r]

every harley and buell guy ive ever talked to man. im pretty sure its in the manual too? ill double check on that but im almost positive its in the manual

 

[backwoods_buellxb9r]

my damn wifi at work wont let me review the service manual

 

[ali]

You'll be fine, its going to be tight for awhile

 

[konarider94]

It does not give a tension spec like the harleys because buells do not have a tension adjustment. At least the xb doesnt. I think the tubers do so they will have the tension guidelines in the manual.

The 2004 manual says
"The drive belt tension on a new belt will be considerably tight
and will loosen after approximately 1000 miles (1600 km).
The drive belt tension is automatically maintained by the idler
pulley. Axle alignment is not adjustable.
Replace drive belt and idler pulley assembly:
● At every 25,000 mile (40,000 km) service interval."

 

[backwoods_buellxb9r]

thank you so much im riding tomorrow lol!!!

 

[wolfo68]

[up] kona

I didn't think it was in there

 

[rokdog13]

I just bought a 2010 XB12Ss, the drive belt broke THE NEXT DAY.
The previous owner supplied me with a replacement belt and I CANNOT get the idler pulley anywhere near close to installing without putting allot of tension on the pulley studs.
I watched a YT video about loosening the rear axle.
I backed it out until it came out.. then ran it in 4 turns.
Still the pulley is nowhere close to going on without what feels to me enough force to break off a pulley stud.
Also, the belt teeth aren't lining up with the grooves in the rear sprocket.
If the teeth are in on the bottom they are riding up and out on the top.
I checked the serial numbers on the belt, its listed as correct on the 'net.
I counted front and rear teeth.
F-27 R-65
Belt -135
Do these belts shrink?
It's obviously a new, never used belt.
But it WILL NOT GO ON.
HELP!!
I Just got this bike and I can't even ride it!

 

[lowkey]

rokdog13, you do not need to ask a question multiple times or bring a thread back from 2013... your question will be seen under "new posts" or "activity stream", having said that welcome to the forum and I explain how to install the belt step by step on your thread about this.

 

[shanelec]

I just HAd this problem with changing the belt... The previous owner to my bike must of had it also as he had fitted a 145t belt instead of the 135t... No issues as yet but it was tight as **** to install

 

[user_deleted]

I just HAd this problem with changing the belt... The previous owner to my bike must of had it also as he had fitted a 145t belt instead of the 135t... No issues as yet but it was tight as **** to install

NOT listed in any service manual.....NOT factory approved.....only mentioned multiple times on here by me:
loosen up the belt tensioner.
viewing it as you would when it's mounted to the case-studs simply use a round file and remove 1-2mm of material from the bottom of the front hole and same amount from top of rear hole. USE COMMON SENSE when filing.
eases installation of the tensioner especially when installing a new belt and eases tension on the entire driveline. been doing it for years. be sure to "run-in" the new belt which expedites it assuming its designed permanent length.