How do you measure belt deflection? When pushing down on the belt do you measure when the belt just starts to resist or till it cannot be pressed down any further. The reason I ask is that I can aquire 1 1/8" by pulling down hard on the belt and it seems ( if I want to with a bit more pressure) a 1 1/2" can be acheived.

 

if you put a straight edge across both clutches and then push down the belt, messure the distance between the straight edge and the belt and thats your deflection.

 

I didn't think belt deflection was a maintenance check. At least, I have never checked it. I just thought that since the pulleys provided the tension while riding, that they should always be tight enough! Maybe it is just me!

 

if your refering to the clutches(which are not pulleys),the belt can be worn or the engine moved to make the deflection too much. either way it's not a self ajusting or self tighting. its not a common thing to check but it doesnt hurt i guess.

 

Put a straight edge across the the top of the belt, push down on the center of the belt till the bottom starts to get tention in it then measure between the belt and straight edge it should be around 1 1/8 in. gap, and the belt should ride about 1/8 in. high in the secondary clutch if it's even or below the sheeves then you need to replace the belt. Thats how it is on my 06 500ho so it could differant on yours.

 

Well, IMO, the clutches act just like pulleys, except they move, one gets closer together and one separates. I just think of the clutches as the springs,weights, etc... Anywho, The belt wear, is determined by measuring the width of the widest part. I do acknowledge your statement of engine to trans placement as being a cause of loose belt. The only other thing I've heard about, was "clutch" alignment. (Making sure the belt runs true.)

 

Thanks for the replys, I'm getting closer to my answer. No one mentioned anything about shims, I have 3 shims between the 2 sheeves (secondary) with 1/16 of the belt riding up out of it.The higher the belt rides the more the deflection? or opposite? I did buy the offset tool from EPI, can't seem to find it. It's in amongest the pile of crap in the garage

 

1 1/8 inches is spot on,it is between 1/8 and 1/4,
the belt must ride about 1/8 on top of secondary,

 

If if you take a shim out it will bring the sheeves together and the belt will ride higher and it will tighten the belt.

 

This sounds like a paradox. I'm in the place right now of if I remove a shim then the belt will ride higher which I need and in doing so like you say will tighten the belt which will in turn give me less defection which I do not need. I need more deflection and at the same time need my belt 1/16" higher. Can I acheive this? Am I on the right wave lenght?