belt inspection and adjustments

Energy One
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iron mike

Member
has there been a how to on belt inspection and adjustments, i haven't found one. im sure it would be a big help to a lot of guy's:up:
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
Well you visually inspect the belt and then in order for you to do the adjustment you need a few things. Belt deflection tool for example. Its only about a $20 tool. Works AWESOME! Then a tape measure and some time.
 

lee

Well-Known Member
I got the Harley belt tension tool

You can also get a piece of copper wire with a 90 degree bend at one end and a rubber O ring at the other to check equal distance on both sides - simple but effective
 

Agentbman

Member
Has anyone had a problem with a "squeaking" noise from the drive belt/pulley? I have lined the rear wheel up three times just to make sure that wasnt the deal and I still have the sound when I hit the gas?? I have used the copper and o ring and a tape and the belt tighting tool...I have just about decided my dog has a permenant limp. Been doing it since I got the thing a year ago.

Any other thoughts?
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
Has anyone had a problem with a "squeaking" noise from the drive belt/pulley? I have lined the rear wheel up three times just to make sure that wasnt the deal and I still have the sound when I hit the gas?? I have used the copper and o ring and a tape and the belt tighting tool...I have just about decided my dog has a permenant limp. Been doing it since I got the thing a year ago.

Any other thoughts?
Could be the rear pulley... not sure which type you would have on your 2004.
 

lee

Well-Known Member
I was thinking the same thing with the newer ones (not sure exactly when from) being teflon coated
 

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
No teflon on your '04. I had this for almost 2 yrs. I changed out my drive belt 2 months ago and it's been quiet for awile, but I think it's coming back. I tried aligning it 10 times. Got all kinds of opinions about what to do, at one point Big Dog told me to get a chrome pulley, then another tech told me that would make it worse. When I ask mechanics at various dealerships or shows about the problem, they usually just look at me like I'm nuts or just tell me the belt is too loose/too tight/out of alignment. I've tried belt dressing, and finally resorted to putting the bike up on a jack and greasing the edges of the belt every few hundred miles.
 

awags

Member
I just ordered a teflon pulley from big dog through Nelson. (WICKEDBASTARDCYCLES.COM) Mine has been sqeaking on and off for about 3000 mi. Like moe i've cleaned and adjusted over a dozen times,goes away for about 200 mi, then back again. Hopefully teflon is the answer-pretty embarassing!
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
I just ordered a teflon pulley from big dog through Nelson. (WICKEDBASTARDCYCLES.COM) Mine has been sqeaking on and off for about 3000 mi. Like moe i've cleaned and adjusted over a dozen times,goes away for about 200 mi, then back again. Hopefully teflon is the answer-pretty embarassing!
I was wondering if this fixed the squeal?

Mine started about 2000 miles ago. It started as a minor squeak and got to the point yesterday where I could hear it over my pipes on the highway. :angry:

Logic tells me that the belt had stretched and more tension would be need. I checked the tension before doing anything and it was only at 1/4 inch. Service manual says 5/8 - 3/4.

Again, logic forced me to tighten the belt. :loony:

It made it worse!

I am going to set it to the proper tension tonight but if this does not fix it I am going to have to do something.

I know we have threads on this but I have not seen where someone has had this problem resolved and what exactly the did to fix it.
 

awags

Member
:flag: mc- Yup it sure did!:2thumbs: :2thumbs:

It always was worse if I got caught in the rain, or had two riders, or luggage. And yes it would get loud, Very embarrassing and very pissed off.

I put the new one on two days before S&S 50th.
Well on my way to S&S 50th got caught in a rain storm, had my girl with, and all the luggage I could fit. NOT A SINGLE TINY SQUEAK:whoop: I am so happy about it- finally.

sounds like all the bdm pulleys are coming teflon coated. The bdm rep at the show said they had a problem with 04's being cast wrong, something with the pitch or something.

I've got over 500 miles on and still quiet so hopefully alls well now. Haven't heard of anyone complaining about teflon ones yet.Just make sure alignment and tension are correct (got tensioner from Nelson) and torque pulley to 60 ft lb with RED loctite.:flag:

I got the pulley from Nelson also.
 

wuudogg

Member
Anybody ever use or consider SuperMax Belt Drive Pulleys?

Came across this the other day. Interesting:



SuperMax Belt Drives For Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

Send them your pulley. They machine down the teet and put a Polymer insert in.

They run very quiet, so the "Squeal" associated with metal pulleys is gone. These poly pulleys are not affected by sand or small debris. These pulleys should outlast the motorcycle, as long as the recommended tension and alignment are maintained.
 

awags

Member
Yes I called Super max before ordering A bdm pulley. It was $460.00 plus all the shipping for them to machine it down and put their insert on the pulley. My new one was $466.00 plus shipping. Would take atleast 2 weeks by the time I would have it back. I couldn't wait that long. Now I have my old one and would probly use Supermax next time( hopefully there isn't a next time) seems like a very good product!
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
Ok, spent some time last night and set the belt deflection on the loose side, (manual says 5/8 - 3/4" @ 10lbs).

Checked alignment from center of each axle, had to adjust 1/8".

Cleaned every tooth of belt with toothbrush and warm soapy water that I promptly rinsed off before moving to a new section of belt.

Does anyone know what the proper torque spec is for the REAR AXLE?

Looked through my service manual and all threads and I can't find anything.

Went with 105 foot pounds. Felt right but do not want to over tighten.

Most belt noise is gone.

Now I only notice it during decelaration.

Any thoughts?
 

slowrower

2007 Mastiff
I got the Harley belt tension tool

You can also get a piece of copper wire with a 90 degree bend at one end and a rubber O ring at the other to check equal distance on both sides - simple but effective
I use the same the same Lee, the HD gauge works great! and its available from any HD dealer.
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Does anyone know what the proper torque spec is for the REAR AXLE?
Looked through my service manual and all threads and I can't find anything.
Went with 105 foot pounds. Felt right but do not want to over tighten.

05 manual states 55-65 ft lbs. They are usually posted on the back of the first page in each section. Axles in the "Chassis" section.

:cheers:
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
05 manual states 55-65 ft lbs. They are usually posted on the back of the first page in each section. Axles in the "Chassis" section.

:cheers:
I will double check my manual when I get home.

With that said, by over torquing the axle, it may cause the belt to be pulled in to much causing it to rub.

Lets hope this is the case.

Thanks
 
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