ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Say10 15FX 16FXS on September 03, 2016, 09:43:36 PM
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I found it difficult to accurately read my Krikit belt tension gauge so I devised this simple, fast, and free way to improve it. First place a straight edge perpendicular to the scale at 25kg which is middle of the range. Push needle up til it touches straight edge. Carefully scribe a line on the side of the needle. Wipe some white paint into the line you scribed. Now it is easier to see when you have achieved the correct tension when the line is parallel to the scale. Here are pics, hope this helps everyone!
Say10
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Brilliant!!! ;D
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Genius! [emoji4]
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Wikified, thank you:
http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Zero_Aftermarket#Regular_maintenance (http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Zero_Aftermarket#Regular_maintenance)
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Great idea, thanks!
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My local dealer said he was advised to use the Gates tension app to test the belt. Has anyone else heard this?
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My local dealer said he was advised to use the Gates tension app to test the belt. Has anyone else heard this?
I just read a post on a BMW forum about an expensive BMW factory electronic tool that measures the vibration frequency of the drive belt on the BMW F800GT model. Apparently the tool twangs the belt and then measures the frequency of the vibrations to check its tension. Personally, I prefer to just push the belt down with my finger to check its tension. That tool is a lot cheaper. ;) If it feels OK to me, I leave it alone. :)
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The app is free. My FXS started to get louder at about 500 miles. That's when I got into really measuring and adjusting my belt. Mine was too tight but once properly adjusted, it quieted down. I'll jack it up and measure with the app and see what it reads. Here is a link to the app.
Carbon Drive Bicycle Calculator by Gates Corporation
https://appsto.re/us/2lkiA.i
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How do you know the required frequency?
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Thought if I used it on a properly tensioned belt we could get a baseline reading. I just gave it a try. Played the belt like a Stradivarius! Results were all over the place. Readings varied from 47.2-157! Krikit indicated 25kg which is middle of the suggested range. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I wouldn't trust the app for this particular application. As someone mentioned, the adjustment screws are pretty sensitive. This technique was what worked well for me.
Loosen axle nut
Loosen both adjuster lock nuts a few turns
Verify hash marks on swingarm are even on both sides
Put wrenches on both adjusting bolts
Tighten or loosen depending on whether you're trying to tighten or loosen the belt
Check tension a bunch of times, check hash marks, tension, snug lock nuts, tighten and torque axle, tighten lock nuts, check tension some more.
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No wonder customers have been getting bikes that were wildly out of spec
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If you don't have a Krikit, bottom center of belt should have 1/2" or 13mm deflection and bike should run quietly.
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If you don't have a Krikit, bottom center of belt should have 1/2" or 13mm deflection and bike should run quietly.
Yeah, but do we know what weight needs to be attached to the belt to give that 1/2" deflection? At least with my old 1980's vintage Honda 250, it specified both a weight and a deflection.
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No weight, just pushed on it with my fingers.
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I've used the Gates Carbon Drive smart phone application.
Few things to note - to determine frequency:
- it doesn't really cover the belt size on the Zero
it doesn't really cover the sprocket sizes on the Zero
I liked the App... but I reverted to using tuning and deflection.
I do/did play the violin... so I do know how to tune to frequency.. even pizzicato (plucking).
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Can anyone figure out the required frequency for the weight range for Zeros (20-30 kg)?
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Try it out on yours and see what you get. I would set the phone on something for consistency as I was just holding it.
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What my dealer told me was you strum it like a guitar. The specs for my SR are 96.3hz-124hz. I don't know if this is the same across the board though.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
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So how hard did you push with your finger to get 1/2 inch deflection??? The harder I push, the more it deflects on mine... Is there "slack" on yours, where you can barely touch it and it will easily deflect some before it starts to resist your pushing it?
No weight, just pushed on it with my fingers.
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I just pushed it til it stopped without really forcing it.
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When I got my new 2016 FXS I could feel right away that the belt was way too tight. I bought one of those Krikit gauges but I got a wildly different reading every time I used it, so I then bought a proper gauge...
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6673-Universal-Tension-Gauge/dp/B000I198J0 (https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6673-Universal-Tension-Gauge/dp/B000I198J0)
This revealed that the belt was set to around 100lbs (from the factory!). I adjusted it back to factory spec and it felt much better. No creaking, groaning and general squealing. After doing a bit of experimenting, I decided that the Krikit is OK for getting a ±50% type of reading if you need something for an emergency set up by the side of the road, but its no substitute for a real gauge.
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Maybe you are not using the Krikit correctly? With mine I am getting very consistent readings netween measurements in the same place on the belt, no more than 10-20% off from each measurement. Is it correct? That I don't know, but just by feel I think it is close.
When I got my new 2016 FXS I could feel right away that the belt was way too tight. I bought one of those Krikit gauges but I got a wildly different reading every time I used it, so I then bought a proper gauge...
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6673-Universal-Tension-Gauge/dp/B000I198J0 (https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6673-Universal-Tension-Gauge/dp/B000I198J0)
This revealed that the belt was set to around 100lbs (from the factory!). I adjusted it back to factory spec and it felt much better. No creaking, groaning and general squealing. After doing a bit of experimenting, I decided that the Krikit is OK for getting a ±50% type of reading if you need something for an emergency set up by the side of the road, but its no substitute for a real gauge.