Ok I've searched post and I need to do a belt tension/alignment on my 2012 XCT, it will be my first time so I'm a tad nervous. Is there anywhere that shows step by step, is there any tricks to help me. I do think its to tight when under power say 30mph you can here a belt noise, let off the gas it goes away. I would appreciate any help from you to make my first attempt fairly easy. I don't have a lift table but I do have a motorcycle jack to help me out. Thanks much gang
At the middle of the lower run of the belt, push up on the belt with one finger as hard as you can without hurting yourself.
How far does the belt push up?
A.when overnight cold
B. after a hard ride
That's with the bike resting on its sidestand.
Sounds like it's tracking to the outside giving you belt squeal/chirp. With back wheel jacked up loosen the axle and adjust the left side (primary side) forward a little the spin the wheel and watch where the belt tracks on the pulley. You want it show a little daylight on both sides of the belt. Once you get there, as long as the belt isn't too tight, in which case you would need to move the entire wheel forward an equal amount on both sides.
Once done, tighten the axle nut, then spin it forward to make sure it didn't move. If all is well spin it backward to see if it tracks over to the left. If it does you're done. Actually even if it doesn't you're done because you only care about the forward motion of the bike but it's supposed to track to the left side when spun backward.
Some of us have to use a wax or lube product on the right outer edge of the belt to keep it quiet. I was able to adjust mine correctly and perfect once but within a thousand miles the chirp was back so I just lube mine with some leather beeswax when it starts chirping again.
The service manual has a very specific step by step process for adjusting both the tension and tracking of the belt. From reading the experiences here on the forums and on my own XCT bikes, a bird chirping/squeaking noise is usually an indication of a belt which is too loose not too tight.
I have alligned belts on two XCT bikes. The first time took me forever but the second time was a piece of cake due to a trick I learned. Loosen the axle nut but not completely. Keep a small amount of tension on this nut so that it takes a fair amount of force to move the axle forward or backward. After every slight turn of the adjustment nuts, get on the side of the bike and make sure the axle is as forward as possible on both sides (that is, make sure both adjustment nuts are up against their stops). Only then should you spin the wheel to examine the tracking of the belt. Much of this may sound cryptic but it will all become clear when you read the service manual instructions for how to adjust belt tension and alignment. Hope this helps.
VJ; the belt tension gauge is great for the novice and those who are anal about getting the belt just right by going by the book. I personally can feel what 10 lbs or whatever the book says and I can visualize an inch to an inch and an eighth.
My XC, I believe, has an issue with the pulley design more than how it's adjusted. JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.
Is there a way to loosen and torque with out dropping the muffler off and How do you keep the axle against the stops when you retorque the axle nut? Also the manual shows the same adjuster nut for both, is the left for tension and right for tracking or do I have them switched around or backwards. Thanks all
Just had a tire change, Centramatics installed, and the shop decided to change the belt tension at the same time (say WHAT!?). I don't have the tools but if I lean into the belt and push up, I might be getting 1/2" deflection. Shop says that Polaris has come up with a new, electronic method of figuring the "right" tension.
Needless to say, my bike is going back to get loosened to what the service manual says.
The sonic tension meters are nothing new. They measure the harmonic frequency of your belt.
Strum the belt like a guitar string and the meter will give you a reading.
On my 2014 XCT it should be around 20 hz.
Either way, check your manual for the correct numbers, but mine is around 1-1/4" (32mm) at 10 pounds while cold and the rear tire is off the ground.
You could ignore the torque setting on the axle nut and just tighten (and loosen) with a large box end wrench or even a large adjustable crescent. This is what I have done and I just reef strongly on the large adjustable crescent to get the nut "goodentight". Purists will object, of course, and this is not ideal but some (including me) find it acceptable.
G'day,
Vinish
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