I'm still very new to Harleys so you guys help a lot. I put custom wheels, sprocket, spacers, and rotors on my Fatboy. I just noticed some rubber is shedding off the belt onto the wheel. I think it did this with the old wheels too, but not sure so that is my question. Is it normal to see some belt dust on the wheel on the drive belt side? I do have a factory shop manual, and did do the change over on the wheels myself, but I also have been a mechanic for about 45 years, just not on Harleys. Thanks in advance!
Darrell

 

NOT Normal IMHO. I'd inspect the belt closely to see where exactly the rubber is coming from and based on that you should be able to tell what needs to be adjusted or replaced.

 

Not normal at all........ Check your line up. If the belt is tracking out of line it will rub against the pulley and "shed".. And that's not good. If the line seems good, you may be tracking too close and might be rubbing the belt guard. If so you may need a pulley spacer. Many aftermarket wheels have different HUB widths.

 

I'm not familiar with the Fatboy but my bike has different length spacers for each side.Sounds like a spacer problem.

 

you've been a mechanic for 45 years.... and you ask if it's normal for a drive been to shed rubber???

you're kidding right?

 

are you sure it is rubber from the belt? i had the belt guard front bolt on the wrong order and it made the lower belt guard rub the pulley but only when it was cold out

 

Darrell,

You have a serious problem that must be tended to!!! The last thing you want is a separated belt while on a ride. Not a Roadside Repair! I can only think of 3 things that would cause a belt to deteriorate such as yours. (1) Improper belt tension adjustment, (2) Foreign Object such as a Bolt or Guard rubbing against the belt and, (3) Improper Alignment. Since you've recently swapped out to an aftermarket wheel, my guess is that you have an alignment problem.

Preform a through inspection and most importantly, check that your wheel is centered within the Swingarm by the proper and Equal Adjustment of the Belt Tension Adjusters on each side of the axles. If your adjustments are correct and no foreign objects are rubbing on the belt you may have an improperly sized spacer.

Throw a jack under the bike to lift the rear wheel off the ground. slowly spin the wheel and watch how the belt tracks within the pulley.

Welcome to Harley Customizing.