Drive belt deflection-Is this normal
#41
07-18-2009, 03:57 PM
Tennessee Streetglide,
I took my bike out Sunday morning, check the deflection at the belt inspection slot in the belt guard before I left which seemed to be within “spec”, took a leisurely ride about 15 miles up the road, never heard any abnormal noises, turned the bike around and got off and checked the deflection again, the belt was tighter but still had some deflection. On the way home I picked up the pace to about 70 mph and when I slowed down at for a red light I could hear the noise again, pulled the bike over and checked the belt deflection again, this time there was no deflection in the belt, it was tight as a banjo string.
My conclusion: (1)there is a definite correlation between the tightness of the belt and the abnormal noise I’m hearing and (2) the drive belt does get tighter when the bike gets hot, probably(??) as a result of the metal pulley’s expanding as they get hotter.
Solution: Loosen the belt, even if amount of deflection is a tad outside of “spec”, at least this will solve my obnoxious noise problem.
Concerns: (1)What will be the long term effects of loosening a belt outside factory specs. (2)Is there anything other the normal expansion that is causing the belt to get so tight. (3) If I don’t do anything what will the effect of the abnormally tight belt be on other components in the drive line.
Strategy: I plan on riding the bike to the dealership on Friday, have the service rider or tech ride the bike while the belt is tight and making this obnoxious noise, get their opinion and discuss my concerns. If they tell me this is normal and have any reservations about the adjusting the belt, I’m just gonna say fk’em, buy the tools necessary to adjust the belt myself using Iclicks method and never spend another dime with this dealership.
Harleyman1340 (old evo guy, and still love the sound a shovel head makes)
I took my bike out Sunday morning, check the deflection at the belt inspection slot in the belt guard before I left which seemed to be within “spec”, took a leisurely ride about 15 miles up the road, never heard any abnormal noises, turned the bike around and got off and checked the deflection again, the belt was tighter but still had some deflection. On the way home I picked up the pace to about 70 mph and when I slowed down at for a red light I could hear the noise again, pulled the bike over and checked the belt deflection again, this time there was no deflection in the belt, it was tight as a banjo string.
My conclusion: (1)there is a definite correlation between the tightness of the belt and the abnormal noise I’m hearing and (2) the drive belt does get tighter when the bike gets hot, probably(??) as a result of the metal pulley’s expanding as they get hotter.
Solution: Loosen the belt, even if amount of deflection is a tad outside of “spec”, at least this will solve my obnoxious noise problem.
Concerns: (1)What will be the long term effects of loosening a belt outside factory specs. (2)Is there anything other the normal expansion that is causing the belt to get so tight. (3) If I don’t do anything what will the effect of the abnormally tight belt be on other components in the drive line.
Strategy: I plan on riding the bike to the dealership on Friday, have the service rider or tech ride the bike while the belt is tight and making this obnoxious noise, get their opinion and discuss my concerns. If they tell me this is normal and have any reservations about the adjusting the belt, I’m just gonna say fk’em, buy the tools necessary to adjust the belt myself using Iclicks method and never spend another dime with this dealership.
Harleyman1340 (old evo guy, and still love the sound a shovel head makes)
#42
07-18-2009, 04:45 PM
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#43
07-18-2009, 05:29 PM
#44
07-18-2009, 05:41 PM
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Today I changed the rear tire on my Sportster, 1st time I have dealt with a belt. All my previous bikes had chains. I had the belt too tight on re-installation. It made a pinging sound, didn't sound good. I drove it about 20 miles, it got tighter. So I loosened it back up a bit. Sounds fine now. What is the life of a drive belt? I know mine is at least 5 years old, maybe even 10. No obvious wear showing. Thank you.
#45
07-18-2009, 06:06 PM
Took my bike to the dealer agian they checked everything agian. So they agreed with me the belt gets tighter when hot so they called harley and they told them that they have been having problems with this on some bike. Harley told them to adjust the belt out of specs to the loose side the same as everybody else with this problem im going to pickup the bike Sunday will see if thats the fix.
Let us know if changing the belt tension helps your situation.
Last edited by iclick; 07-18-2009 at 06:24 PM.
#47
07-18-2009, 08:36 PM
I change my rear tire adjust the belt to spec for a road king ran great them about 1000 miles my seal for the primary develop a leak. Had the Harley shop fix it because it was under warranty. After the bike cool I check the belt and they set it on the lose side about 9/16 then I finely understand what the manual says you look at the gage on the belt cover and use the belt tool in the middle of the belt and it will be at spec. I was putting the belt tool under the gage on the belt cover and this way would give me a false reading
#48
07-18-2009, 09:25 PM
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i know what you mean by the rubbing sound coming from your drive line mine also makes a rubbing sound when it gets hot next time it makes that sound pull in your clutch lever with mine the rubbing sound stops the dealer says it is nomal i posted this problem last week only got a few responces
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