Odd whining sound on decel with passenger

Blown 331 · #1 10-26-2009, 07:09 PM

For a little back ground I've got a 1993 Softail Custom. I bought it in April of 06 with 13,500 miles on it. I had a base gasket go so while it was apart I added 10 to 1 pistons, air filter, EV46 cam, ported heads, springs, ignition etc. Runs good now. Other than that it just been oil changes and tires. It has been lowered by the previous owner.
Around June of 08 and around 27,000 miles I noticed a whining sound on decel but only with a passenger. The best comparison I can give is an old style police siren. The mechanical type you'd see in a movie that was supposed to take place in the 30s or 40s. If I pull the clutch it quiets down slightly but it is still noticable. Then if I let the clutch back out it gets louder. As I'm slowing down I can tell what ever is making the noise is still spinning quite a bit faster than the wheels. I just rode from Southern IL to Fort Worth TX this weekend and currently have about 42,500 miles on it, the trip was 1600 miles total. I was riding solo for a bit and could hear the noise when hitting large bumps. So that along with only making the noise with a passenger makes me think it might be related to the lowering but it never made that sound for the first 13,000 miles I put on it. It appears to be getting slightly worse. Could it be the belt? Or I assume the front pulley has a bearing, what about that? I was thinking maybe the belt was too tight and got even tighter with a passenger but I have actually never adjusted it, while I'm sure that's probably a bad thing I think that elimintes the possibility of over tightening. Anyone?

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miacycles · #2 10-26-2009, 08:57 PM

Sounds lik ethe belt is either hitting something or is too tight. Remember when you are accelerating the belt is thght on top and has slack on the bottom. When you decelerate the opposite is true. It could also be a worn belt/pulley too. Hope this helps.

Jim Kraft · #3 10-26-2009, 09:58 PM

Make sure your license plate bracket is not rubbing on the tire. I had an issue on my 99 Softail Custom, after installing a new tire. Mine is lowered some, and it did sound like a siren, and also started wearing a groove in the middle of the tire before I figured out what it was. Took vice grips to the bracket, and it does not do that anymore. Could be something in your fender also. Just something to check, especially if you just changed tires.

rlyons · #4 10-26-2009, 10:44 PM

Mine was doing the same thing but with the bags full and luggage on the rear. It was the drive belt too tight. I bought the gauge and adjusted the belt and it has been quiet ever since.

BB4xl · #5 10-26-2009, 11:15 PM

Check out your throw out bearing under the tranny cover. My 87 started making that kind of noise. The throw out bearing went. It was kinda of torn up when I took it apart.

daven9113 · #6 10-26-2009, 11:31 PM

You have described it fairly well. If the bike is not making this sound at idle, then I suspect your belt is loose and hitting either it's guard or rubbing against something else. You should also adjust your primary chain too, but do the rear belt first so you can start eliminating stuff.

dave

scorchedearthpolicy · #7 10-27-2009, 12:03 AM

Is your bike lowered? I had the same problem with mine because the previous owner weighed 140 lb max and I weight 230 lb so the back of my belt was rubbing so I stiffened up the shocks and its all better now.

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bparsel · #9 11-03-2009, 08:18 AM

Bearing or belt issue, the sound varying by the clutch pull means it exagerates itself under load. Having a passenger on the back is going to add some tension to the belt. Adjust the belt first and test ride.