INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
SMOOTHSPYDER PAT. PEND.
GS-RS
ROTARY DRIVE BELT TENSIONER
MADE IN U.S.A.
Remove the lower belt guard.
Note the location and placement of bracket in swingarm illustration. Install the bracket
up through the bottom of swingarm, through the u-channel at the front of the swingarm,
letting the tab of the bracket hang over, facing out.
Attach the bottom tab by sliding the two small 90 degree hooks through the slots of the
main bracket, raising it up perpendicular to the top tab and hold in place or tape them
together temporarily.
Slide washers over two 4 ½ x 3/8” bolts and insert through the bottom tab, and up
through the top tab, install washers and locknuts. Tighten locknuts just enough that you
can barely slide the bracket. Take note of the welds on the swingarm illustration, the
bracket should butt up next to the weld, do not go on top of the weld.
Attach tensioner to bracket using 3/8 x 2” bolt, raise the pulley up until it contacts the
belt and tighten bolt from behind bracket enough to hold tensioner in place. Adjust the
bracket, making sure the belt is centered in the pulley. Place a ruler or small level on the
outside of the pulley, ruler should be parallel to the belt. Illustration #2
The pulley needs to be checked for horizontal adjustment also. Raise the pulley up to
where it is just touching the belt to make sure it is contacting the belt evenly.
Adjust the bracket if needed, by gently tapping the outside edge of the top or bottom tabs
in or out slightly with a plastic mallet or hammer and wood block. Finish tightening the
bolts on the bracket. Recheck bolts after riding.
The tensioner housing is marked with corresponding lines to adjust the tension. To adjust
the tension, use a 15/16 wrench to turn the nut on the outside of the tensioner. This
15/16” nut is connected to the rear piece of the tensioner next to the bracket, you will
notice it turning also. The 3/8 bolt, (9/16 socket) on the backside needs to be slightly
loose to allow the 15/16 nut to turn. Turn the 15/16 nut counterclockwise until the pulley
has raised and contacted the belt, the tensioner should read 0. Turn the 15/16” nut counter
clockwise to load the tensioner until the single line matches the 12 Lb. line. Hold the
15/16” nut in position and tighten the rear (9/16”) nut. Remember to fully tighten the 3/8”
(9/16 socket) after final adjustments are made.
Raise spyder rear tire off the ground by jacking up under the flat spot on the swingarm, in
front of the shock. Make sure spyder is stable and front tires are chocked. Start motor and
let warm up, put spyder in 2nd gear and slowly let out the clutch. You will notice the
pulley jumping up and down slightly as the spring-loaded tensioner compensates for the
tight spot in the belt, this is normal. If the bracket is adjusted correctly and the pulley is
lined up with the belt, there should be no difference in the tracking on the rear pulley.
Recheck all the bolts for tightness and take for a test drive.
Belt vibration should be eliminated or greatly reduced, if vibration still persists and 12
Lbs. doesn’t completely remove all of the vibration, it is recommended to check the static
tension to make sure it is near the top of the recommended belt tension Spec’s. (600N).
The tensioner will not compensate for an overly loose belt.
The very tip of the belt guard will need to be trimmed slightly to clear the bracket
assembly. Hold the guard in position and mark where trimming is needed.
Call or E-mail if you have any questions or problems with the installation, Jim, 305-2580408, E-Mail jim@smoothspyder.com
If you are unsure of your mechanical abilities, please have the tensioner installed by a
certified motorcycle mechanic. End user assumes all liability in the use of this product.