Squeaking drive belt.

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Oct 16, 2013 | 11:29 PM

#11

zeus33

Thread Starter

Big Kahuna HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 35,506

Likes: 27

From: Calgary eh

Thanks guys. The squeak is definitely from the belt. I can lift the rear wheel, take off the side bag and turn the wheel slowly and hear the belt squeak noise.

The noise is all the time but is most noticeable at highway speeds.

I'm gonna get some Polly Oil and try it out. Why not, got nothing to loose.

I guess after that the next step is to change the belt. I'll have some spare time over the winter if it comes to that.

How long does a belt normally last anyway?

Oct 17, 2013 | 03:34 AM

#12

toketee

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 134

Likes: 1

From: Oregon

Squeaky belt

I ride with a guy who had a squeak, he changed other parts, dealers advice. Finally went in to the dealer in Meridian, Id. and asked the service manager what it could be, the service guy said they didn't have time to get it in, but he would go out and have a look. Ended up it was the belt, it had very small aluminum shavings embeded in it. He scrubbed it hard and the agravating squeak was gone.

Oct 17, 2013 | 04:25 AM

#13

'05Train

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,439

Likes: 884

From: 'Noke, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeus33

I've been plagued with a squeaky drive belt most of this summer. I've even posted before and followed folks advice, but it still squeaks.

Here are the facts....
- The bike has 60,000 miles.
- I put on a Progressive link last winter. I'm pretty sure it threw out my engine alignment a bit and made the belt ride on the inside of the sprocket. I've since removed the link and the belt has returned to the center again. Less squeak but still squeaks.
- There is some sprocket damage on the inside teeth. I think I must have gotten a bit of gravel in there. It's been into the Harley dealership to two different places and neither were overly concerned about that.
- I have had the rubber buffers inside the rear sprocket replaced, the mechanic at HD thought that was the source of the squeak. Didn't help much.
- Belt tension is good, has been spec'ed by the HD mechanic.
- I've tried ajax, belt dressing, bar soap all help for a short period of time but the squeak comes back.
- I called the HD service dept to get a price on new sprockets and belt, they told me replacing the sprockets is very rare. He actually told me he had never heard of it done before.

So, I'm thinking belt R/R.

Anyone have any ideas, comments, questions, or flames? Let em rip. Thanks.

Seems like you answered your own question. Your bike was out of alignment, and probably still is. This has worn the belt unevenly. At 60,000 miles you probably also have at least one motor mount that needs to be replaced.

If it were me, I'd replace all the mounts, align the bike, and deal with the squeak. You'll probably get another 20,000 + miles out of the belt.

Oct 17, 2013 | 05:05 AM

#14

Schex

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 5,816

Likes: 7,847

From: SE Louisiana

Try simple ole' WD40, just spray the side of the belt.

If you get pigspit on the belt, it almost surely make it squeak.

Nov 7, 2013 | 09:58 PM

#15

Ultra Mac

Advanced

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 62

Likes: 0

From: SE MO Ozarks

After reading a lot of threads on this when mine was simply a squeak I was hesitant to admit the belt and pulley were worn until the belt teeth all started to pacman crack within a thousand miles. I had a bit of luck quieting the squeak with mostly the lube's mentioned, no luck with dressing. As for changing just the belt, stealer told me different and to always change both pulleys. I'm taking that as him wanting my money. I will change the softer back pulley and wait to see what the front one looks like when I get it torn down. The explanation of them being like a chain drive (by Harleycruiser) is a good one. My pulley actually started to groove the torque side much as a chain drive sprocket wears. If I replace only the belt then I will wear the replacement belt out much faster. Due to road conditions around me I considered a chain conversion, but think I will just tear it down and then decide.

Last edited by Ultra Mac; Nov 7, 2013 at 10:00 PM.

Nov 8, 2013 | 05:13 AM

#16

vindyl

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 821

Likes: 1

From: In the wind

Just put a dab of grease on the belt move forward a foot and do another dab. Then ride the **** out of it and it should stop Squeaking. Do not put much you only need a little bit. I have seen a number of squeaking belts and this is how we take care of it.

Nov 8, 2013 | 05:20 AM

#17

VTL nut

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,537

Likes: 4

From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin

That dressing oil sounds like it should work, for the squeak is the surface tension releasing on the belt in contact with an aluminum surface, and by oiling it, you will allow slippage versus friction releasing, so the noise will be gone. The belt face may even absorb the right dressing and allow the "fix" to remain for some time between treatments.

Last edited by VTL nut; Nov 8, 2013 at 05:24 AM.

Nov 8, 2013 | 05:34 AM

#18

DeeRoe

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 1,276

Likes: 1,077

From: SE SC

...+1 on the Poly-Oil. Used it on my 99 FLSTC. Belt was in good shape, it just decided it wanted to let me know it was there....especially after a washing. Run the lube along the sides of the belt, and just maybe a touch on the inside. run the bike for a few hundred feet and the squeak goes away.