Drive Belt Squeak/Noise, Fact Or Fiction?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 27, 2013 | 01:45 PM

#11

rpking

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 696

Likes: 13

From: Creston, Ohio

My 2013 Street Glide had a rubbing noise from the drive belt.
When I had my 1000 mile service done the tech loosened it. The noise was gone and hasn't returned.

Jan 27, 2013 | 02:20 PM

#12

Jinks

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 2,241

Likes: 7

From: Daytona, Fla.

Check your belt tension. When it's correct ride the bike around the block. When you pull back into the drive stop the bike & DON'T LET IT ROLL BACKWARDS! Look at the belt on the rear pulley. There should be a small space between the belt & the pulley edge on each side (they don't have to be equal). If there's space & your tension is correct, you're set. If there is no space on one side your wheel is out of alignment. If you allow the bike to roll backwards this won't work.

If tension & alignment are correct just run it till the noise goes away or let the warranty fix it if you have a problem.

Jan 27, 2013 | 03:07 PM

#13

Expat1

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 1,221

Likes: 4

From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowcountry Joe

I don't think anyone is going to change a touring belt along side the motorway. That's a major operation.

I was referring to an equivalence of this kit:
Harley-Davidson Emergency Drive Belt Replacement Kits #40109-86

Jun 10, 2013 | 12:06 PM

#14

Dispatch

Thread Starter

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 2,124

Likes: 651

From: Gettysburg, PA (For Now)

Well.... 2,000 miles later and its still squeaking!
WTF??!!

Jun 10, 2013 | 03:06 PM

#15

Jackie Paper

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 38,414

Likes: 6,366

From: Honah Lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispatch

Well.... 2,000 miles later and its still squeaking!
WTF??!!

Did you try dusting it lightly with talcum (baby power) and see if the noise will go away for a short while?

Jun 11, 2013 | 12:16 PM

#16

Dispatch

Thread Starter

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 2,124

Likes: 651

From: Gettysburg, PA (For Now)

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIPSAW

Did you try dusting it lightly with talcum (baby power) and see if the noise will go away for a short while?

I tried all that was suggested with no success.

Jun 11, 2013 | 12:27 PM

#17

Def Mute

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 2,422

Likes: 14

From: Fla

Go to automotive parts store...

Get some belt dressing. Comes in a spray can. Spray the belt. Do this each time it wears off...

Jun 11, 2013 | 01:18 PM

#18

Jackie Paper

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 38,414

Likes: 6,366

From: Honah Lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispatch

I tried all that was suggested with no success.

If the talcum did not make it quite for a least a day or so, it's something else. Only reason I said to use it is it will quieten a belt and then you are sure that is what it is. It's like putting a little grease on it, but it soon goes away (unlike grease) You have the rubber drive blocks in the rear pulley. Could it be that? You should not need anything on the belt drive, and I would put nothing on it. If it truly is the belt, your rear wheel must be severely out of alignment with the motor making it rub hard on one side of the pulley and have the belt cogs not perpendicular to the drive pulley .