SMOOTHSPYDERRotary Drive Belt Tensioner / Vibration Damper

2010-2018 RT

Installation Instructions

Please read the entire instructions before starting the installation. If you do not have the necessary tools or feel the installation is too complicated, please have a qualified mechanic install the Smoothspyder belt tensioner. Warning: IMPROPER INSTALLATION COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. If you are not sure of a particular detail, please call Smoothspyder Engineering for clarification before proceeding. (305-258-0408) Again, safety first! Installation of the SMOOTHSPYDER Belt Tensioner will require the following tools;

T30 Torx socket and 10 MM wrench. To remove the lower belt guard.

9/16” Wrench. To tighten the U-bolt nuts and loosen/tighten the rear tensioner bolt for setting the tension.

8” Adjustable Wrench. To adjust the large outer tensioner bolt clockwise.

4” C-Clamp. To hold the tensioner bracket in place, so the U-bolt can be dropped down through the holes and to get the nuts started.

Snips, side cutters or hacksaw. To trim the plastic belt guard.

This installation can be completed without removing any body panels if you have a lift, which would be necessary to correctly and visually align the idler pulley to the belt from underneath.

However, the preferred and optimal way to accomplish the installation on all models is to remove the left body panels.This will allow a clear view to the installation area and make the critical idler/belt alignment much easier and more precise. Please refer to your Operators Manuel for the side panel removal for your particular model or find one of the many videos available online.

1.Remove the lower belt guard using a the T30 Torx socket and the 10MM wrench on the 10MM back nut. Start the install by making sure the rear bolt on the tensioner bracket is slightly loose and the tensioner is movable. Position the idler over the top of the belt and hold the tensioner bracket up to the underside of the swingarm, clamp or hold

the bracket in place to the swingarm with one hole on each side of the swingarm.

2. Install the U-Bolt over the top of the swingarm and through the two holes in the bracket.Install the Nordlock washers and nuts and tighten only until all excess play is removed.

Slide the bracket rearward as far as it will go until it contacts the welding on the underside of the swingarm, do not go over the welds.

3. There is a strip of double sided tape attached to the inside of the tensioner arm, attach the center of the ruler to the inside of the arm and even with the top of the belt.The ruler was perfectly straight when shipped, inspect to verify it has not warped during shipping and use an appropriate straight similar metal or wood replacement if necessary.

4. Push the bracket inwards until the U-bolt is next to the swing arm and semi-tighten the nuts to where the bracket is still movable. Tap the top of the U-bolt back and forth to make sure the U-bolt is 90 degrees to the bracket

5. Position the bracket until the ruler/straight edge is spaced evenly and parallel to the belt.

6. Tighten the nuts ¼ turn each starting with the rear nut, checking that the bracket hasn’t shifted and the tracking is still true.

Note: On the RT’s and later models there is insufficient clearance to get a torque wrench on the rear nut due to the catalytic converter clearance. Securely tighten the rear nut first and then the outside nut to 140 In. Lbs.Do not overtighten the bracket, the bracket mating surface to the swing arm has been sandblasted to provide some grip and prevent shifting. After fully tightened there should be a 1/16” even gap between the ruler and belt, and 3/16” between the tensioner arm and belt once the ruler or straightedge is removed. Overtightening the bracket may reduce this clearance.

Re-install the belt guard.The tip of the belt guard will need to be trimmed slightly to clear the tensioner bracket.There are two 6MM foldover nut clips included to snap over the mounting tabs that will make installing the belt guard much easier than trying to get the rear 10MM nuts back on.

7. Setting the tension.The tension is adjusted with the large 15/16” bolt located on the outside of the tensioner.

The (gold colored) bolt that goes through the backside of the bracket screws into the threads on the inside of the 15/16” and locks the tensioner to the desired tension.

The inside bolt needs to be slightly loose before any adjustments can be performed. Use a 9/16” wrench.

Slightly loosen the rear bolt first, then turn the outer 15/16” bolt clockwise until 8 Lbs. of tension is showing and tighten the rear bolt. Take for a ride with the panels off and reinspect the installation and belt tracking on the rear sprocket, which should not change if the alignment is correct.

More tension may be necessary to eliminate the vibration depending on the static belt tension and severity of the vibration. 10 Lbs. is the recommended maximum tension.

Re-install the side panels.

Disclaimer: Neither Smoothspyder nor its owners shall be liable for any damages, consequential or inconsequential, resulting from the use of any or our products. Installation of any of our products constitutes acceptance of these terms. Check all bolts are tight before riding. End user assumes all responsibility in the use of this product