1988 xl with belt drive conversion

[trikerjay]

i have a 1988 sportster with a belt drive on it and i just replaced the rear wheel and need to know a few things.
1. how much slack should the belt have?
2.from what point on the belt do i use the harly tool to check the tension?(my exhaust bracket seems to be in the way)
3.should the belt ride on the right side of the rear pully? (not too sure if i got the alignment quite right. i just ran the adjusters in exactly the same amounts)

i have the factory manual for my bike but it makes no mention of a belt because it came with a chain. thanks for any help.
later jay

[Takingabreak]

I would check with a Harley service department.

If it is the same as my 2003 with a belt, the Factory manual says to.
Us the Harley pull scale to set the deflection with 10 pounds of force to have a deflection of 1/4 inch measures at the midpoint between the drive sprocket and the wheel sprocket.
I Fishing scale can work in place of the Harley tool.
Basically, you hook it around the bottom side of the belt, between the drive and wheel sprockets, and lift up until you read 10 pounds, A yardstick placed on the bottom of the sprockets can let you see if you have 1/4 inch of movement.
This is a used belt spect, 1/8 if you use a new belt.

[Alasportster]

I believe JeffyTune is right about checking with a HD tech, or a reliable source that knows what's what.

The deflection is different depending on the model you have. Customs and Lows and stds get one setting, but because of the longer shocks the R's get another.

I'd at least compare the settings in the FM to my bike in light of your shock length. Longer shocks generally mean a little more deflection than the same setup with shorter shocks.

[Alasportster]

3.should the belt ride on the right side of the rear pully? (not too sure if i got the alignment quite right. i just ran the adjusters in exactly the same amounts)

Yes, the belt will run away from the center of the rear sproket. All of them I've seen do that, anyway.