2016+ Indian Springfield Drive Belt Inspection and Tension Adjustment

To learn more about tools, read the Tools and Fasteners Guide.

Always wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves when servicing your Indian Motorcycle. To inspect and adjust the drive belt tension on your Indian Springfield, follow these steps:

1. Park the bike on a flat, level surface and allow it to cool completely.

2. On each side, pull the upper side cover out evenly to disengage each tab from the frame. 

• Then disconnect the saddlebag lock connector near the seat. 
• Next, open the saddlebag and remove the two saddlebag fasteners with a 6mm Allen socket.
• Finally, tilt the saddlebag out and lift up to remove. 

3. Next, ensure the motorcycle is in NEUTRAL. 

4. Then safely elevate the rear wheel. The motorcycle must be stable before proceeding. 

5. Inspect the drive belt for wear or damage. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for belt wear analysis. See your authorized Indian Motorcycle Dealer if replacement is needed.

6. Next, applying 10 pounds of force, check and record the belt deflection. Ensure the belt is dry before measuring. Locking the tape measure will help maintain consistent measurements. 

• Using the tire valve stem as a reference, measure at three additional points 90 degrees apart. The drive belt deflection at 10 pounds of force should be 34mm (1.3 inches) or 11 notches up the belt guard.
• If adjustment is needed, rotate the wheel forward and mark the tightest measurement point on the tire for reference. 

7. Also mark the current adjuster locations on both sides of the rear wheel for reference.

8. Next, place a rag against the exhaust to prevent scratching the paint. Loosen but do not remove the axle nut with a 27mm wrench.

9. Then retighten the nut with a 27mm crowfoot wrench to the adjustment specification of 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm).

10. Next, turn the right-side adjuster nut with a 13mm socket to achieve proper belt tension. 

11. When the belt tension is correct, move to the left side to adjust the final belt alignment. 

12. To minimize change in belt tension, use only the left-side adjuster to make final adjustments to belt alignment. Be sure to keep the axle seated forward against the axle adjusters during this procedure. 

13. While rotating the wheel backward, tighten the left-side adjuster nut until the drive belt is centered in the driven pulley. Sprocket teeth should be visible on both sides of the belt. 

14. Once the desired setting is achieved, rotate the wheel forward and verify the sprocket teeth are still visible on both sides of the belt. 

15. If necessary, revert back to the initial settings and repeat this process as needed. 

16. Re-check drive belt tension to verify it is still within specification. Improper tension or alignment can cause driveline noise and damage the drive belt. 

17. Once complete, tighten the rear axle nut to the final specification of 65 ft-lbs (88 Nm).

18. Next, pump the rear brake pedal several times to reset brake pad distance. 

19. Then verify the wheel rotates smoothly and freely without drag when the brake pedal is released. 

20. Safely lower your motorcycle to the ground. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for helpful hints and techniques.

21. Next, begin reinstalling the saddlebags by placing them on the muffler brackets. 

22. Reinstall the saddlebag fasteners. Torque to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm).

23. Then reconnect the electrical wiring, if necessary, and ensure the saddlebags are mounted properly. 

24. Finally, align the three side panel grommets and reinstall each upper side panel.

For more information, see your authorized Indian Motorcycle Dealer. Find a dealer near you with the Dealer Locator.
Maintenance tips, procedures and specifications can be found in your Owner's Manual.
To find diagrams and replacement part numbers, use the online parts catalog.

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