Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 386
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From: Huntsville, AL
Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
I was riding down the highway today and started hearing this bad whining that sounded like a bad fan-belt on a car but it was coming from my bike. The otherweird thing was that it sounded like it was coming from the front-end.
The drive belt looks fine, not too tight. I recently had it serviced so I'm not sure what the problem is. I did have a tachometer put on it this past weekend but don't see how that has anything to do with it.
The brake pads have plenty of miles left on them both front and rear.
I heard the sound only a couple of times today the first being the longest. Both times seemed to be on acceleration.
I ride an '03 Fatboy with 40k miles.
Any thoughts?
The drive belt looks fine, not too tight. I recently had it serviced so I'm not sure what the problem is. I did have a tachometer put on it this past weekend but don't see how that has anything to do with it.
The brake pads have plenty of miles left on them both front and rear.
I heard the sound only a couple of times today the first being the longest. Both times seemed to be on acceleration.
I ride an '03 Fatboy with 40k miles.
Any thoughts?
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Joined: Oct 2006
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RE: Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
check for cam bearing noise. Search for: engine or drive train noise https://www.hdforums.com/m_879166/tm.htm
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 386
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From: Huntsville, AL
RE: Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
I'm hoping that the cam is not the cause. I had a big bore kit done this past March. Went with a 204 cam. This was one of the first things I thought of but since the noise seemed to come from the front-end, I was hoping it might be something else.
My uncle is an auto-mechanic and tells me that whenever a customer tells him the noise is coming from the rear left, he checks the front right first.....
My uncle is an auto-mechanic and tells me that whenever a customer tells him the noise is coming from the rear left, he checks the front right first.....
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 160
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From: Land of Ten Thousand Lakes
RE: Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
Just too make sure it isn`t the drive belt, put some belt dressing on the edges or readjust it, if the noise goes away bingo you`ve eliminated that as being the problem.
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RE: Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
You must be refering to a power steering belt for a car. If you checked the link that I provided, you find that the noise you hear is deceiving. A shot in the dark, how about a front wheel bearing spinning on the axel or in the race? Maybe some of the more noise experienced members will chime in!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Lebanon, Missouri
RE: Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
A squealing or squeaking sound? Yep, I've had that same sound on my old WG, and now the RK. Funny thing is that it's more pronounced when she's wet.
Sounds like it's coming from the front, but I have to wonder if it's reverbing off the windshield, and actually is the belt. Got the tension gauge at the shop, just haven't picked it up yet.
Sounds like it's coming from the front, but I have to wonder if it's reverbing off the windshield, and actually is the belt. Got the tension gauge at the shop, just haven't picked it up yet.
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2008
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RE: Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
Did you find out what caused this noise? I also have this noise in my 2005 Roadster 1200. It occurs only while the bike is in motion at2000 rpm witha chirp and then becomesa squeal until about 2200 rpm then seems tofade outuntil about 2800 rpm where it starts again.
It seems to be related to the engine rpm whether accelerating or decelerating. Doesn't make any sound when setting still and reving the engine.
Annoying sound takes much pleasure out of my ride. What did you learn?
commuter
It seems to be related to the engine rpm whether accelerating or decelerating. Doesn't make any sound when setting still and reving the engine.
Annoying sound takes much pleasure out of my ride. What did you learn?
commuter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Huntsville, AL
RE: Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
I just noticed that this post had been bumped recently.
My problem ended up being an inner primary issue. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to tell you exactly what the problem was but a bolt had backed out and caused semi-major damage. I had to have the inner primary replaced. Total cost about 800 bucks.
The one silver lining was that the chrome inner primary was cheaper than the black....
I hope this is not your problem or that you catch it in time. Wish I had posted sooner.
My problem ended up being an inner primary issue. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to tell you exactly what the problem was but a bolt had backed out and caused semi-major damage. I had to have the inner primary replaced. Total cost about 800 bucks.
The one silver lining was that the chrome inner primary was cheaper than the black....
I hope this is not your problem or that you catch it in time. Wish I had posted sooner.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,508
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From: Vermont
RE: Weird Noise - sounds like bad fan belt?????
By a "bolt backed out" do you mean the compensator nut came loose? That has been a pretty common problem and they have since come out with a different torque procedure and a shim method that fixed the problem. Commuter, you might want to check the tension on the chain as well as cam bearings (I'm not too familiar with the sportsters so I can't give you much advice.)