SuzukiSavage.com - How to use laser alignment on belt drive.

eau de sauvage

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How to use laser alignment on belt drive.
08/04/16 at 02:04:06

I recently bought a profi cat dot laser alignment tool, put it on my gs500 rear cog and it indicated that it was misaligned in spite of it having a rear new tyre put on at a reputable motorcycle only tyre specialist. The peace of mind it affords in being able to check in a matter of seconds if your rear wheel is aligned properly is priceless. Especially with people being concerned with chain wear and looking after the chain.

When I bought the proficat it it came with a little piece of notched printed cardboard that was apparently meant for belt drives, but not thinking the gf would soon have another bike but a belt drive at that, I threw it away as I can't stand draws full of clutter that I drag around for years.

I can purchase one for 7 bucks with another 10 bucks delivery but I'm guessing there's a way to check it somehow without spending 17 bucks on a small piece of cardboard, maybe make a tool of some kind at the moment I can't even see how a tool is meant to be used.

I can say that actually aligning the rear wheel correctly after tightening the chain a bit was an absolute but when it was right, I knew it was perfect and it's remained in alignment every since and it has not even needed tightening yet after nearly 5,000 miles.

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Dave

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Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive.
Reply #1 - 08/04/16 at 04:27:58

I don't know anything about adapting the laser alignment tool to your belt - however adjusting the axle tensioners until your belt is centered on the rear pulley works for me.

If your belt rides to one side....move the right side tensioner a small amount until the belt stays centered when you ride. If the belt needs to move toward the center...move the right side forward, and if the belt needs to move to the outside...move the right side backward. You can start this process by using the index marks on the swingarm....then adjust in 1/4 turn increments until you get it right. You will have to loosen the rear axle nut, and make sure the axle is pushed forward against the adjusters as you tighten the axle nut.

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justin_o_guy2

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Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive.
Reply #2 - 08/04/16 at 06:04:00

You can get it straight with a string under the belt on the front pulley, pulled tight across the rear pulley, or, as Dave suggests, adjust the rear axle angle across to force the belt on center.
I believe that with the pulleys straight when parked, the tension under acceleration will change that.
It's not all so earth shatteringly crucial. Just get everything generally headed the right way and adjust belt tension so it doesn't screech.

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verslagen1

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Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive.
Reply #3 - 08/04/16 at 07:56:17

I pioneered Dave's method, so you know what I do. Cool

But I do luv gadgets... so, lets see what it does...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NC8p5hbJSA

put it on the face of the sprocket and chase down the edge of the chain.
our pulley has a recessed face and a rim to look over.
I suppose you place the tool on the rim and the paper gage on the belt and you run the paper gage down the belt.
Doesn't look like fun.
I think you can use a ruler instead of the gage, any non reflective type will work.
be careful around reflective bits or you'll blind yourself. effectively rules use on Hardleys out.

And you'd need to do it on front and back pulleys to get it perfect.

Now my method is simple.
jack the rear tire off the ground and spin it.
watch the belt, does it run left or right, ideally you want a little gap on both sides.
if it runs left, tighten the left adjuster (loosen axle 1st) and vice versa for the right.
now spin the wheel the other way, try to get a compromise (dam liberals)

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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #4 - 08/04/16 at 20:22:55 verslagen1 wrote on 08/04/16 at 07:56:17: if it runs left, tighten the left adjuster (loosen axle 1st) and vice versa for the right. That's handy. I'll have to remember that.
Back to top	There's no problem that a full tank of gas and a sunny day can't fix! 2008 S40, Rotella T 15W-40 w/ZDDP added, Dyna, 140/90-15, Battery Tender Jr., Seat lift, #52.5/150/3 washers, Raptor IP Logged

Dave

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Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive.
Reply #5 - 08/05/16 at 07:03:01

Kris01 wrote on 08/04/16 at 20:22:55:

verslagen1 wrote on 08/04/16 at 07:56:17:

if it runs left, tighten the left adjuster (loosen axle 1st) and vice versa for the right.

That's handy. I'll have to remember that.

The reason I use the right side adjuster for making alignment changes, is that it doesn't have much effect on the belt tension. (When you move the left side...it has a big effect on the belt tension).

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LANCER Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Savage Beast Performance Parts Posts: 10803 Oklahoma Gender:	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #6 - 08/05/16 at 12:54:32 When a Savage falls on you, that's just its way of saying "I love you" & giving you a big hug. [Yep, I saw that post before it was removed.]
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #7 - 08/05/16 at 13:05:58 I never want a Savage hug.
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Kenny G Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com The Singles Club...LOL Posts: 1754 Robson Ranch, Denton, Texas Gender:	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #8 - 08/05/16 at 13:24:11 I think Verslagen's method for belt adjusting should be put in the technical section. Kenny G
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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #9 - 08/05/16 at 13:32:04 justin_o_guy2 wrote on 08/05/16 at 13:05:58: I never want a Savage hug. I got a hug once. :'(
Back to top	There's no problem that a full tank of gas and a sunny day can't fix! 2008 S40, Rotella T 15W-40 w/ZDDP added, Dyna, 140/90-15, Battery Tender Jr., Seat lift, #52.5/150/3 washers, Raptor IP Logged

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #10 - 08/05/16 at 14:00:12 Was once enough?
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eau de sauvage

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Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive.
Reply #11 - 08/05/16 at 23:48:46

@verslagen1, yeah you got it, I'm a guy and I have a frikken laser beam. You know I want to use it. OK maybe it's not as exciting as a shark with a laser mounted on it's head... is the front pully adjustable, unlike a chain front sproket?

All these suggestions are noted, comprehensive and excellent. At the moment it does not appear that any adjustment to anything is needed. Eventually what I want to do is use some of these methods till it conforms to spec, then somehow rig the laser up to check it, if the laser confirms the alignment then it will always be good just for a quick check. I'll report back when I get it working.

I'll check out the rim technique.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #12 - 08/06/16 at 04:10:57 I'll check out the rim technique. Guess I missed it..
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28996 L.A. California Gender:	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #13 - 08/06/16 at 09:53:03 eau de sauvage wrote on 08/05/16 at 23:48:46: is the front pulley adjustable, unlike a chain front sprocket? no, if you have the opportunity, make sure the nut is tight. 75-95 ft.lbs. they tend to get loose and once they do, start working back and forth till the splines are gone.
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eau de sauvage Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 2565 Queensland Gender:	Re: How to use laser alignment on belt drive. Reply #14 - 08/06/16 at 17:20:13 verslagen1 wrote on 08/06/16 at 09:53:03: ... make sure the nut is tight. 75-95 ft.lbs. they tend to get loose and once they do, start working back and forth till the splines are gone. Will do, priceless information.
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