After posting this question on the general softail forum and having about 90 looks and no responses I figured that either there are very few technical guys interested or I posted it in the wrong forum so I'll try in here.

So, I have a 2013 Slim and have noticed a "whirring" coming from the rear end.

It is most noticeable when going quite slow such as when coasting to a stop or idling down the road under 10mph, if going much faster than that road and engine noise drown it out.

I've jacked the rear end up and can't hear anything like a bearing noise when spinning by hand and the belt seems to have about 3/8" deflection just with moderate finger pressure.

I've only had the bike for a short time and haven't done many miles so don't know if this is normal.

I'm guessing it is the belt but does this sound normal?

Don't bother referring me to the dealer as so far I haven't had any help with another issue from them so have no confidence in them so I'm hoping you guys can help.

Thanks in advance, Mark.

 

Jack the rear end up, fire it up and try to recreate the noise with the bike running ,it may not be the rear end after all.

 

Mark, it doesn't matter that you are in Oz, the plain fact is that we can't hear what you are describing over the internet! Only someone in person can listen to it and diagnose it, so you are not going to get a great deal of help in here, or anywhere else on HDF. That's nothing to do with being unhelpful (90 views is bugger-all!), simply that the problem you describe ain't easy to make sense of.

If your bike is bone stock, the most likely thing IMHO is the belt. If you have lowered it, check clearances with the tyre. Make sure the tyre is not rubbing against the belt guard. If all else fails, visit your dealer, especially if you have a warranty - that is where you should have started......

 

You could try different tension on the drive belt
to see if that changes the noise. Most belt drive
bikes make a little noise when rolling. Try riding
down the road and shift into neutral and shut off bike.
While your coasting along you will hear all kinds of noises.
Even tires can make noise similar to what you are describing.

 

Thanks guys,

I'm going to investigate belt tension first, dealer is a second option as results from there have not been good from past issues.

cheers, Mark

 

Finding a Mechanic at the Dealer that really knows what they are talking about can sometimes be a challenge, makes one wonder how or why they got the job.

You don't mention how many miles are on it but I would Check your Brake Pads too, they may be worn down

 

I would check in the following order:
Jack up bike
Spin rear wheel, listen for noise.
Check belt tension, make sure belt is straight, spin wheel, listen for noise.
Remove caliper, spin wheel, listen for noise.
Remove belt, spin wheel, listen for noise,
Remove wheel. replace bearings.
Reassemble in reverse order, listen for noise.

 

Could be your primary belt. The automatic adjuster may have ratcheted and made your belt too tight. Just a thought.

 

........... air flow through the wheel?

 

I was thinking brake pads too. Maybe the pistons are stuck in the rear and the pads are rubbing the rotor.