A Friendly Maintenance Reminder

[Jetfixer]

A new customer brought his 2022 F3T to me for an oil change. As part of my regular service, I give the whole bike a good lookover. I found that his (aftermarket) belt idler had a seized roller. The bike has 21000 miles. Luckily, it did not do any significant damage to his drive belt, but it would have soon. These rollers are a normal wear item and need to be checked regularly, and replaced as soon as they show any wear or no longer roll smoothly, to prevent expensive belt damage. This applies to both the factory original idlers, and all the aftermarket ones. All of the wear you see in these photos was caused by rubbing the top surface of his drive belt. This is an easy thing to check on both F3's and RT's. just reach up under the side, lift the arm off of the belt, and feel the roller.

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[gwbunny]

Solid advice! Thank you!

 

[jjc54]

What benefit do these belt idlers do for my year of RTL? Always trying to improve her!

 

[Woodaddict]

What benefit do these belt idlers do for my year of RTL? Always trying to improve her!

They help with reducing any belt vibration. I don't need one as the vibrations only happen on the interstate once in a while. I can live with that. Usually, a bump triggers it, then another bump stops it. It's still better than running a dampener and having it malfunction, and there goes a $250 belt. Also, the belt could be overtightened, helping the vibrations start. I use a Kriket gauge to check the belt tension, and I use 165 for a 2015 RTL with the rear wheel on the ground. That keeps most of the vibrations away, and does not stress the wheel bearings or the shaft bearings

 

[jjc54]

They help with reducing any belt vibration. I don't need one as the vibrations only happen on the interstate once in a while. I can live with that. Usually, a bump triggers it, then another bump stops it. It's still better than running a dampener and having it malfunction, and there goes a $250 belt. Also, the belt could be overtightened, helping the vibrations start. I use a Kriket gauge to check the belt tension, and I use 165 for a 2015 RTL with the rear wheel on the ground. That keeps most of the vibrations away, and does not stress the wheel bearings or the shaft bearings

Thanks. Last time I checked mine with the Kriket it was ~160. Maybe I have vibrations, but don't know for sure so if it ain't broke... And thank you @Jetfixer, see something, say something!

 

[Allen42]

My 2019 RT vibrates at about two speeds, typically as I accelerate, but it seems to always stop; so I'd rather deal with that than a potential failure caused by a belt damper going out.

 

[BajaRon]

Good advice on the belt vibration dampeners.

160 is good on a 2008-2012. But a bit light for 2013 and later models. We look for between 220 and 260 on the later models. Not saying it will create any issues. Just that the preferred setting for the later models is higher.

 

[Mikey]

What benefit do these belt idlers do for my year of RTL? Always trying to improve her!

That is one improvement I would sway away from if possible!

 

[Mikey]

A new customer brought his 2022 F3T to me for an oil change. As part of my regular service, I give the whole bike a good lookover. I found that his (aftermarket) belt idler had a seized roller. The bike has 21000 miles. Luckily, it did not do any significant damage to his drive belt, but it would have soon. These rollers are a normal wear item and need to be checked regularly, and replaced as soon as they show any wear or no longer roll smoothly, to prevent expensive belt damage. This applies to both the factory original idlers, and all the aftermarket ones. All of the wear you see in these photos was caused by rubbing the top surface of his drive belt. This is an easy thing to check on both F3's and RT's. just reach up under the side, lift the arm off of the belt, and feel the roller.

View attachment 250908 - View attachment 250909

Did you take it totally out or replace it with another?

 

[Jetfixer]

Did you take it totally out or replace it with another?

The owner decided to go with an entirely new one from Lamonster Garage. Their roller is much better.