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I'm notthe expert on this topic. I've received a couple very kind emailsasking, so here's my thoughts.
Please chime in!
The problem with adjusting the belt slack just to service manual specs is many of us like to race or do burn-outs. Some of us have modified our bikes with1,000# springs,lowering links, wide tire kits.
There are lots of opinions on how to adjust belt slack even on stock bikes. There's probably a lot more opinions for modified bikes, and racing. I read a lot of posts before making my belt adjustment. It seemed to me one 'camp' was sayingif you use a yamaha spring gauge then follow the instructions in the service manual (or owners manual) then its not important to have a rider's weight on the bike. Howeversome othermembers still recommend using the rider's weight. These are not all the posts I read while I was deciding what to do. I justfound these with a quicksearch as examples of the variety of thoughts. Some like it loose, some like it tight.
http://rswarrior.com/forums/t/9942.aspx
http://rswarrior.com/forums/t/23362.aspx
http://rswarrior.com/forums/t/17539.aspx
http://rswarrior.com/forums/t/24146.aspx
I adjusted mine with a buddy in the seat and still used a spring gauge. So I'm posting this to ask for other opinions and to see this topic through fresh eyes.
Like all bikes and cars, the Warrior has a load capacity. Versus a bone-stock bike, the total load of rider passenger luggage and accessories is ~408#. By following all the manual directions plus having even a partial rider's weight on the bike, you put the belt slack more into its operating range in the real world.Some, not all,of us believe we want the belt to be slightly tighter rather than slightly looser. But if its too tight, the front pulley bearing may fail or it may start to leak fluid. If its too loose, the 'snap' of oncoming torque is likely to shock-load the belt and break it clean in two.
- When I'm off the seat, the belt is looser and has more slack.
- When I sit on the seat, the belt is tighter and has less slack.
Members who had a belt snapfound that NOT putting a rider's weight on the bike has the effect of tightening looseningthe belt once they sit on the bike, and its looser tighter under no-load when no harm is done (can't snap a belt if you're not on the seat!). (thanks toalan forcatching that I had this worded backwards)
There are a lot of variables here.For example, if you have an Eibach 1,000# rear spring then your bike won't lower as much when you sit on it, so your belt won't tightenloosen as much when you sit on it. Riders who don't do burn-outs have less to worry about and probably don't need to worry about a rider's weight. The list goes on.
What do you think?

The problem with adjusting the belt slack just to service manual specs is many of us like to race or do burn-outs. Some of us have modified our bikes with1,000# springs,lowering links, wide tire kits.
There are lots of opinions on how to adjust belt slack even on stock bikes. There's probably a lot more opinions for modified bikes, and racing. I read a lot of posts before making my belt adjustment. It seemed to me one 'camp' was sayingif you use a yamaha spring gauge then follow the instructions in the service manual (or owners manual) then its not important to have a rider's weight on the bike. Howeversome othermembers still recommend using the rider's weight. These are not all the posts I read while I was deciding what to do. I justfound these with a quicksearch as examples of the variety of thoughts. Some like it loose, some like it tight.
http://rswarrior.com/forums/t/9942.aspx
http://rswarrior.com/forums/t/23362.aspx
http://rswarrior.com/forums/t/17539.aspx
http://rswarrior.com/forums/t/24146.aspx
I adjusted mine with a buddy in the seat and still used a spring gauge. So I'm posting this to ask for other opinions and to see this topic through fresh eyes.
Like all bikes and cars, the Warrior has a load capacity. Versus a bone-stock bike, the total load of rider passenger luggage and accessories is ~408#. By following all the manual directions plus having even a partial rider's weight on the bike, you put the belt slack more into its operating range in the real world.Some, not all,of us believe we want the belt to be slightly tighter rather than slightly looser. But if its too tight, the front pulley bearing may fail or it may start to leak fluid. If its too loose, the 'snap' of oncoming torque is likely to shock-load the belt and break it clean in two.
- When I'm off the seat, the belt is looser and has more slack.
- When I sit on the seat, the belt is tighter and has less slack.
Members who had a belt snapfound that NOT putting a rider's weight on the bike has the effect of tightening looseningthe belt once they sit on the bike, and its looser tighter under no-load when no harm is done (can't snap a belt if you're not on the seat!). (thanks toalan forcatching that I had this worded backwards)
There are a lot of variables here.For example, if you have an Eibach 1,000# rear spring then your bike won't lower as much when you sit on it, so your belt won't tightenloosen as much when you sit on it. Riders who don't do burn-outs have less to worry about and probably don't need to worry about a rider's weight. The list goes on.
What do you think?