When I'm riding along at 20-30mph and back off the throttle I get a quick chirp from what seems to be coming from the left rear. Would that be from a too tight/too loose or misaligned drive belt?

 

Most likely the belt is a little tight.

 

Guess it can be either way But
Chirp is most times loose belt , while a whine noise is the belt to tight

WP

 

Thanks, I'll check the belt.

 

When the belt on mine was too tight, it would let out a very low whirring noise as I decelerated. I like to use the belt gauge to check the tension.

carl

 

My friends softie did that when the rear pulley bolts were loose.

 

My Road King had a chirp like this, turned out to be a slight exhaust leak between the header and slip-ons.

 

Yeah loose belt.. Make sure the alignment is on as well.. And as stated earlier, check those pulley bolts.. 60 ft. lb. and red loctite.. Also make sure the riders weight is on the bike to check the 10 lb tension @1/2 -5/8" flection. With my Hotrod 98 I run a 1/4" flection. no issues..

 

When my belt started chirping, mostly under load like going up the mountain, adjustment didn't seem to affect it much since it was pretty much right to start with. Poured water on it out of a bottle and it helped. Then realized I'd not wet washed the bike in many months. Washed the bike on the jack, rolling the belt and sprayed s100 on it and rinsed. Been good ever since.

So dirty pulleys and belt can cause a chirp... in my world anyway.

PS - My belt has a lot of miles on it, (80k) pulleys are basically new (10k)

 

Yes worn belts and pulleys will also cause the chirp.. Most likely the rear pulley wear.. Amazing how these kevlar belts can elongate the slots in the rear pulley..