Based on the comments here and the nature of the noise, I'm pretty convinced it is the belt--either too loose or slightly misaligned. (I had checked the muffler mounts previously.) Assuming that is the case, will I cause irreparable damage to the belt (or anything else) by continuing to ride? (I can' t get the bike into the dealer until next week.)

 

I probley wouldn't take the chance of riding till you get this fixed next week give your keys to someone else so you wont do it then get them back right before you take it in its a long summer.

 

Belt Tension . . . and you absolutely MUST use the Tension Gauge exactly as Harley says in the Service Manual. If it's making noise, adjusting it by "feel" or using the "I always done it this way" methods will NOT work (been there and done that on my bike). I went round and round (no pun intended) with my Heritage . . . as did the Dealer . . . Particularly because you say that cleaning the belt and/or putting stuff on it changed the noise, it points straight at the Belt Tension being set wrong. Take a dry bar of soap and rub the bar lightly on both sides of the belt, all the way around the belt, I'll bet the noise goes away until you wash the bike and the soap is rinsed off the belt! The soap film temporarily lubricates the edges of the belt where it comes into contact with the inside edges of the Rear Pulley without putting something on the Belt that will do long term damage to the Belt. I posted a rather long thread on this many years ago along with a link to YouTube where I have a recording of the noise posted.

 

Thanks! I think that explains why when I washed it, with soap, it was quiet for a while. Until the soap wore off. I don't have the tools or lift to do the adjustment, so I'm taking it to the dealer next week. I'll report back here after they confirm the diagnosis.

 

Bluehighways, I sent you a PM.

 

Gunk makes a belt dressing spray in a small can that might be helpful, can be found at most Auto Parts stores. I have used it on noisy serpentine auto belts and it helped.

 

Dont think I would use a belt dressing on the drive belt, personnel choice I guess. Chap stick works really well too.

 

Had a rear pulley develop an annoying squeak. Soap or lube would help until it wore off. Turned out to be a damaged pulley. The plating on the pulley wore through in one spot which caused the belt to squeak.

 

That is what it is made for. I have used it in Heavy Equipment installations without issue. Noises are not always from the belt being loose, it can be from a variety of things creating undesirable harmonics. It actually IMPROVES the grip.

 

I would still check the alignment. Masking the "squeak" may hide a problem.