air ride and belt tension question

[fame2]

I noticed that the tension on my belt changes when I lower/raise my arnott air suspension...am i supposed to be riding this thing at the same height all the time even with the air ride? i'm asking because if I ride my bike slammed or raised and the tension on the belt isn't where it needs to be, won't I be risking blowing a wheel bearing or snapping my belt?

I had a shotgun shock air ride on my night train and I could adjust it on the fly...i could ride it slammed down on local roads or raise it up when i was riding through some twisties and it didn't effect the tension on the belt.

What are you air ride guys on your touring bikes doin to make sure you avoid any problems with the amount of tension on the belt? by the way, I have the air ride on a 2007 FLHRS...thanks.

 

[Bill]

I would set the belt tension to where you would ride when on a longer trip.

Odds are if your riding it slammed your slow speed pimpin and destroying the belts/bearings during calm driving is not likely.

 

[SUAVE]

+1 on that!

 

[fame2]

i usually slam it while parking for that pimped out look...i guess i would just have to air it back up close to where i had it when i go to ride it again

 

[OutlawBagger]

i usually slam it while parking for that pimped out look...i guess i would just have to air it back up close to where i had it when i go to ride it again

That's what I do. I slam it parked and try to air it up the same when I ride. I'm working on a air gauge now so I can keep track of air pressure.

 

[bagger specialties]

your belt should stay the same tenchion raissed up or lowered . i dont see how it affects it. my bike is an 1 1/2 lower and the belts the same. and i modified my factory air shocks

 

[Opunui]

That's correct adjust your belt at ride height. Then leave it alone.your not going to destroy wheel bearings and belts when slammed

 

[Opunui]

your belt should stay the same tenchion raissed up or lowered . i dont see how it affects it. my bike is an 1 1/2 lower and the belts the same. and i modified my factory air shocks

Thats not correct. Your belt does change when you lower it because of the amount of travel versus stock shocks. Your going down 11/2" no big deal we are going 4" so it changes the geometry between swing arm and shock mounts

 

[Bill]

As I look at it the difference in belt slack at different heights is mostly from.... The Trans pulley "front of belt," and the swingarm pivot are not in the same plane.

 

[Opunui]

Bill if you look at the ANGLE the shocks travel from top to bottom, maybe you can get a better picture.the tranny doesn't move and the pivot point of the swing arm is your fulcrum. So when the swing arm is parallel to the frame it is in perfect axis and the belt is adjusted. When the swing arm moves up past that point when you lower it the belt loosens and when the swing arm moves down it tightens it

 

[Bill]

Bill if you look at the ANGLE the shocks travel from top to bottom, maybe you can get a better picture.the tranny doesn't move and the pivot point of the swing arm is your fulcrum. So when the swing arm is parallel to the frame it is in perfect axis and the belt is adjusted. When the swing arm moves up past that point when you lower it the belt loosens and when the swing arm moves down it tightens it

My point was simply the same would be true even if the shocks were perfectly vertical.

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[Opunui]

Gotcha..yea the only true movement is the centerline of the axel in relation to the tranny.

 

[Bill]

Gotcha..yea the only true movement is the centerline of the axel in relation to the tranny.

Exactly...

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[bagger specialties]

Thats not correct. Your belt does change when you lower it because of the amount of travel versus stock shocks. Your going down 11/2" no big deal we are going 4" so it changes the geometry between swing arm and shock mounts

OK now i see what you saying . thanks opunui

 

[fame2]

thanks for the help fellas but ur never gonna believe this sh*t..i was out riding and the rear wheel started wobbling like crazy...this happened once before and it wound being my bearings/hub were shot due to the belt being too tight...at least thats what i thought caused it

i haven't had a chance to check out the rear wheel yet but i did check the belt....it felt super tight..can this really kill the bearings or hub? or maybe i just have a f*cked up rear wheel?...i was only on the bike for like 5 miles before it happened

 

[Opunui]

Your rear hub has vibration dampners installed between the sprocket and hub.check to see if those wore out first. And yes the belt to tight will cause premature wear on those rubber parts