Squeaky belt
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 127
From: Aussie lost in Switzerland
Squeaky belt
I've been hearing this annoying squeaky sound for a couple of weeks that has progressively been getting louder, or maybe I'm just listening for it more and more.. In any case, discovered my belt is making the squeaking sound.
Hit it with some silicon spray and it's good for about a day then starts to sound like two mice ******** themselves silly again.
Tried re-tensioning it, didn't make a difference, put a bit of slack in it, no difference, over tensioned it, no difference.
Inspected the belt as best I can without pulling it off the bike and it looks fine. No breaks or tears and the belt profile where I can see it is even and unworn. It rides in the pulley just fine.
Short of swapping it out, any other suggestions as to what i can do about it?
It's driving me nuts, I can hear it over the sound of my V&H pipes to give you an idea of how loud it is.
Hit it with some silicon spray and it's good for about a day then starts to sound like two mice ******** themselves silly again.
Tried re-tensioning it, didn't make a difference, put a bit of slack in it, no difference, over tensioned it, no difference.
Inspected the belt as best I can without pulling it off the bike and it looks fine. No breaks or tears and the belt profile where I can see it is even and unworn. It rides in the pulley just fine.
Short of swapping it out, any other suggestions as to what i can do about it?
It's driving me nuts, I can hear it over the sound of my V&H pipes to give you an idea of how loud it is.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 854
Likes: 20
From: CT
What about alignment? Also when the rear pulley gets worn out it will make bad squeaking noises. Maybe there's something you could do to quiet it down, but fact is something is off or worn out. How many miles?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 127
From: Aussie lost in Switzerland
Alignment looks ok to my mark 1 eyeball, but I'll get it checked anyway. Bike has just shy of 30k miles on it.
Issue is definitely the belt. I'll try washing it with soap and water as suggested as well.
Issue is definitely the belt. I'll try washing it with soap and water as suggested as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 583
Likes: 4
From: australia
heres a old trick that works ive used it a lot on car drive belts, TALCUM powder BABY POWDER basic bathroom personal powder cover the belt with it stops sqeaks dead,
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
it works well. Sometimes have to run a few thousands out of alignment believe it or not and it goes away. Nothing you will notice riding. Now you do have to get the silicone off. Small wire brush and soap and water. I use windshield washer fluid.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Just to be safe, check your wheel bearings. After 08 they have had issues. My back brake started making noises which turned out to be the wheel bearing, twice...second time did 1200 dollars damage including the belt...ride safe.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 127
From: Aussie lost in Switzerland
When this first started I thought it was the wheel bearings, but was never certain. I was all set to change them out this weekend but before doing so I decided I'd silicon spray the belt again just to be certain, and the noise disappeared.
I checked the alignment today and it is spot on. I'll try the talcum powder if the noise comes back, after washing the belt as previously suggested.
I checked the alignment today and it is spot on. I'll try the talcum powder if the noise comes back, after washing the belt as previously suggested.