belt inspection and adjustments

Energy One
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May sound kind of crazy but a great way to get rid of the squeak for awhile is every so often jack your bike up get the belt spinning and rub it with either wax (like a candle) or a bar of soap. Works like a charm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
May sound kind of crazy but a great way to get rid of the squeak for awhile is every so often jack your bike up get the belt spinning and rub it with either wax (like a candle) or a bar of soap. Works like a charm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If it comes down to me spending $400 + to fix a squeek, than this is a solution.

But at this point I don't want to cover up a problem until I am sure I am unable to fix it.

Even if I don't hear it, I will always know that it is there and that will drive me almost as ape shit as listening to it.
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
Most of your belt noise is truly related the alignment and tension.
I dig what your saying Gas, but have been into this thing a couple of times so far taking my time and making sure everything is just as it should be.

That is why I am hoping by over torquing the rear axle, that I have pulled the belt in just enough to be out of alignment and getting that slight squeek upon decel.
 
I know many bd owners that complain about the same thing. Yes alignment will solve much of it but squeaking can still happen. But I did not mean use soap if you are off just a quick fix thing to stop the embarrassment around town.
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
I know many bd owners that complain about the same thing. Yes alignment will solve much of it but squeaking can still happen. But I did not mean use soap if you are off just a quick fix thing to stop the embarrassment around town.
Right on. I had my fair share of it last week.
 

Agentbman

Member
I am gonna bite the bullet and get another one...if that works it will be worth it! If it doesnt I am just gonna curl up in the corner in the fetal position and cry...HAHAHA!!!:loony:

Seems like awags and I have the same issue.

I love this Board!!! :2thumbs:
 

dogvet

Banned
Any wear on the rear pulley teeth? The billet pulleys aren't known for longevity. There is always the possibility that the transmission isn't sitting square in the frame. No easy way to check that without tearing alot of stuff down. You would have to verify that the centerline of the transmission main shaft is parallel to the swing arm pivot shaft. If it's not square, no matter how you adjust the rear wheel, you'll have a squeak.

You could buy a Panther belt (This is how BDM used to address this problem in some cases) it will run quiet, but if you like to drop the hammer, the Panther belt won't handle the torque and will be spittin out teeth like a meth junkie.:2thumbs:
 

awags

Member
Still no squeak after about 750 mi. Doesn't mean it wont start shortly but the bd guy did admit they had a problem in 04. And the pulleys came teflon coated every year after that, so i'm hoping this new pulley is the ticket.

60 ft lbs rear axle
 

WB Cycles

Well-Known Member
Still no squeak after about 750 mi. Doesn't mean it wont start shortly but the bd guy did admit they had a problem in 04. And the pulleys came teflon coated every year after that, so i'm hoping this new pulley is the ticket.

60 ft lbs rear axle
Hope that works out for ya. Mine stopped in 05 with the switch to teflon ... haven't noticed it once since. :up:
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
Alright guys, starting to narrow this down a bit.

While I was making my second adjustments I changed the point I was taking my measurement from and realized that the right side (non drive side) was out a little more than 1/8" than the left drive side. I aligned the axle so that they were at equal distances from my measuring point, set my deflection and tightened everything back up.

This took care of a great deal of the noise.

But not all of it. I am still getting it on decel. and it is worse when it is hot.

I just looked at it again and it is not riding in the center of the pulley. More to the left. I also took a closer look at where the belt is riding on the transmission pulley (not sure of the tech name) and it is riding all the way to the left or inside of that pulley as well.

Qustions:

Should I move the right side axle out a bit so that it rides center of pulley?

Should the belt be riding center on the transmission pulley?

Should I be looking for an underlying issue in the transmission?
 

dogvet

Banned
Are you referencing the distance from the axle centerline to the swingarm shaft centerline? What are you using to measure this with?
With the fatter tires, one side of the swingarm typically has more offset than the other side. If your measurements aren't parallel to the side of the swing arm on both sides, you can create an misalignment and indicate the same distance on both sides. BDM has an alignment tool (263-000005-00) that has offsets for the left and right side alignment measurements.
There is a laser alignment tool called a Lasercat (BDM260-0067). A bit pricey but it works great!:up:


Alright guys, starting to narrow this down a bit.

While I was making my second adjustments I changed the point I was taking my measurement from and realized that the right side (non drive side) was out a little more than 1/8" than the left drive side. I aligned the axle so that they were at equal distances from my measuring point, set my deflection and tightened everything back up.

This took care of a great deal of the noise.

But not all of it. I am still getting it on decel. and it is worse when it is hot.

I just looked at it again and it is not riding in the center of the pulley. More to the left. I also took a closer look at where the belt is riding on the transmission pulley (not sure of the tech name) and it is riding all the way to the left or inside of that pulley as well.

Qustions:

Should I move the right side axle out a bit so that it rides center of pulley?

Should the belt be riding center on the transmission pulley?

Should I be looking for an underlying issue in the transmission?
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
Are you referencing the distance from the axle centerline to the swingarm shaft centerline? What are you using to measure this with?
With the fatter tires, one side of the swingarm typically has more offset than the other side. If your measurements aren't parallel to the side of the swing arm on both sides, you can create an misalignment and indicate the same distance on both sides. BDM has an alignment tool (263-000005-00) that has offsets for the left and right side alignment measurements.
There is a laser alignment tool called a Lasercat (BDM260-0067). A bit pricey but it works great!:up:

Tire size is 180.

Once my axle bolt covers are removed I was taking my measurements from the edge where the cover butts into it out to the center point of the axle. Hard to describe but apparently not the right location.

"axle centerline to the swingarm shaft centerline". I have the manual and this is also referenced but without the alignment tool, I have not been able to get anything from the swingarm to the axle. I was thinking the swingarm to be the same length on both sides.

Sounds like time for the tool.
 

awags

Member
I put a allen wrench in the swing arm when I measure. this way it fits in the pivot hole tight and you can measure parallel to the swing arm. My 04 mastiff is offset probly 3/4" so this way one measurement isn't at an angle! Would still recomend the tool though!

Also every time I would realign or try something different, it would always stop squeaking for a while. sometimes only 10-20 mi, sometimes up to 200mi, but always came back. especially like I said earlier in this thread if in a gravel parking lot or a even a wet road after a rain.

As for how it rides in the pulley, mine stays towards the outside also, not sure if thats right but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want it anywhere near the inside- since the front pulley doesn't have a lip on the inside to hold the belt, and the rear pulley the inside lip is a thin piece of bolted on plastic, that really doesn't do much unless rolling backwards maybe.

plus my new pulley is teflon coated up the outside of the pulley. And even the supermax pulleys have their insert up the outide of the pulley. so my thoughts are the belt should be riding towards the outsides.

Again-I"M NOT SAYING FOR SURE< JUST MY 2 CENTS!

Any other thoughts please because I'd like to know for sure also!
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
I put a allen wrench in the swing arm when I measure. this way it fits in the pivot hole tight and you can measure parallel to the swing arm. My 04 mastiff is offset probly 3/4" so this way one measurement isn't at an angle! Would still recomend the tool though!

Also every time I would realign or try something different, it would always stop squeaking for a while. sometimes only 10-20 mi, sometimes up to 200mi, but always came back. especially like I said earlier in this thread if in a gravel parking lot or a even a wet road after a rain.

As for how it rides in the pulley, mine stays towards the outside also, not sure if thats right but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want it anywhere near the inside- since the front pulley doesn't have a lip on the inside to hold the belt, and the rear pulley the inside lip is a thin piece of bolted on plastic, that really doesn't do much unless rolling backwards maybe.

plus my new pulley is teflon coated up the outside of the pulley. And even the supermax pulleys have their insert up the outide of the pulley. so my thoughts are the belt should be riding towards the outsides.

Again-I"M NOT SAYING FOR SURE< JUST MY 2 CENTS!

Any other thoughts please because I'd like to know for sure also!
I was unaware of any offset. Good info.

Also, the rear pulley is riding to the outside but the front pulley, (transmission) is riding away from the frame and more towards the trans.
 

TEXASDOG

TexasDog
I had the noise problem on my 03 Mastiff until I bought a HD belt and then it went away. I align the back tire with 2 long flourescent lights. I bungee cord them to back tire and adjust axle until front tire is dead center between them.
 

slowrower

2007 Mastiff
A very good tool to help make sure your belt is at the correct tension. I love this thing. Use it ALL THE TIME when working on bikes. There are alot of times you have to move or drop the rear wheel and I use it each and every time.

Drag Specialties :: Hardware, Chemicals & Tools > Tool Sets & Shock Tools > BELT TENSION GAUGE
I ordered one from BDM thinking it was different than my Harley version and its the same ... any HD dealer should have one. Good tool Gas!!
 
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