Drive belt getting tight
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Drive belt getting tight
Has anyone ever had there drive belt tighten by itself?
Noticed tonight when coming up to a stop with clutch in what sounded almost like a feathered back tire or a humming strange noise from rear. Next stop while still rolling I put bike in neutral and shut engine off to hear it better. It was louder than hell.
Pulled over in a safe place and checking it out and found the drive belt very very tight! I figured it may loosen over time not tighten. Has anyone had this happen?
Thnx
Greg
Noticed tonight when coming up to a stop with clutch in what sounded almost like a feathered back tire or a humming strange noise from rear. Next stop while still rolling I put bike in neutral and shut engine off to hear it better. It was louder than hell.
Pulled over in a safe place and checking it out and found the drive belt very very tight! I figured it may loosen over time not tighten. Has anyone had this happen?
Thnx
Greg
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Mesa Arizona
Has anyone ever had there drive belt tighten by itself?
Noticed tonight when coming up to a stop with clutch in what sounded almost like a feathered back tire or a humming strange noise from rear. Next stop while still rolling I put bike in neutral and shut engine off to hear it better. It was louder than hell.
Pulled over in a safe place and checking it out and found the drive belt very very tight! I figured it may loosen over time not tighten. Has anyone had this happen?
Thnx
Greg
Noticed tonight when coming up to a stop with clutch in what sounded almost like a feathered back tire or a humming strange noise from rear. Next stop while still rolling I put bike in neutral and shut engine off to hear it better. It was louder than hell.
Pulled over in a safe place and checking it out and found the drive belt very very tight! I figured it may loosen over time not tighten. Has anyone had this happen?
Thnx
Greg
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
That doesn't make sense. If the big nut that tightens the rear axle gets loose one would think the cams would not rotate tighter, but loosen. The natural tendency of the belt it to stretch, although very minimally, over time... a tight belt will put undue strain on the bearings. I can't think of any other way for the belt to tighten, unless you rode through a dirty area and got crud on the rear drive sprocket?
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, MI
I noticed this years ago, they tighten when heated up. Check the belt play cold before a ride and then check it right after an hour ride and you will see a drastic difference. This is why I run mine on the loose side of spec and never ride hard on a cold belt
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
He is right, hotter the drive train gets tighter the belt gets. All belt drive bikes do this.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Guess it makes sense that as things heat up the sprockets will expand. Was so tight this morning you couldn't hardly twist the belt. Maybe I have a different problem, I don't have a tension tool but will loosen some and go test drive and see if the noise is gone. Last night I was running 75-80 mph for about 1/2 hour and 1st notice it when pulling off the slab and was in stop and go traffic. Hard to describe the noise but sounded like the belt singing. Under light load noise was gone. I will report back shortly, thnx
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Loosened belt slightly, rode about 1/2 hour around 70mph slowed down several times, killed the motor while rolling and no noise. It is about 15-20 degrees cooler now than yesterday but so far so good! Rain is on the way so can't test any further today. Heading for Tennessee next week and last thing I want is issues. Will get longer test tomorrow. Thanks for the input. Greg
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 102
Likes: 33
From: rapid city
You might want to put some poly lube belt conditioner on your belt. Harley sells it. The belts can get dry over time and they will make a clunking sound as the belt teeth roll over the sprocket. I do my heritage twice a year.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
I guess it's worth a shot! Have to go to dealer today to pick up a few things, I will grab some while there, thnx
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