squeaky belt

T.Byrd

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the tip Drummer sounds like just what I've been looking for. Im sure this will be a big help for a lot of people. Good going.
 

Mongo

Member
On the O2 Mastiff the belt was chirping like a Mocking bird we had trouble getting it to stop then bought some flourescent lights (long tube kind) and used them to make sure the rear tire tracked straight with the back. I also have an HD belt on there broke 2 BDM belt and decided to upgrade.
 

T.Byrd

Well-Known Member
Put the teflon dry wax on today will let you all know how it works for me later. Thanks all:

Afew hundred miles later and no squeak at all, Thanks again all.
 
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2004BC

FREEDOM!!!
OK drummer,

It's test time! Bought the Multi Teflon spray last night at Lowe's and saturated my front pulley, belt, and rear pulley. Made a mess but cleaned it all up. I didn't adjust or touch anything else. I only added 1 variable, the spray. Before I sprayed it last night I rolled the bike (2004 Ridgeback) by hand and could hear a squeek for every single rung on the pulley. After nothing. 50 miles to work this morning, nothing. 50 miles home tonight, we'll see....... I'll keep posting until it squeeks or I get tired of typing. Fingers crossed!:cheers:
 
Any belt "squeak" is caused by "mis-alignment" of the belt. Because the noise is made by belt chaffing against something like the pulley! The addition of anything such as "Multi Teflon", "Tri-Flow", "Lubri-Bond"..ect. Just lubs the squeak until it worn off, then the squeak will come back. Hell for that matter you could use a "copper coat spray" it won't look too good, but it'll do the same thing. This is not saying that these products won't add life to the longevity of the pulley wear. These products will add life! But the first step is "proper belt alignment"! Then use the coatings at +/- 500 to 1000 mile intervals for smoother drive train operation and reduced wear. :2thumbs:

But that's just me. :hi:
 

2004BC

FREEDOM!!!
Any belt "squeak" is caused by "mis-alignment" of the belt. Because the noise is made by belt chaffing against something like the pulley! The addition of anything such as "Multi Teflon", "Tri-Flow", "Lubri-Bond"..ect. Just lubs the squeak until it worn off, then the squeak will come back. Hell for that matter you could use a "copper coat spray" it won't look too good, but it'll do the same thing. This is not saying that these products won't add life to the longevity of the pulley wear. These products will add life! But the first step is "proper belt alignment"! Then use the coatings at +/- 500 to 1000 mile intervals for smoother drive train operation and reduced wear. :2thumbs:

But that's just me. :hi:
I tried a search but I only came up with swing arm procedures. Is there an easy way to align a 2004 Ridgeback so I can make sure it's perfect? Thanks. (I guess I need to get a service manual from somewhere).
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
Any belt "squeak" is caused by "mis-alignment" of the belt. Because the noise is made by belt chaffing against something like the pulley! The addition of anything such as "Multi Teflon", "Tri-Flow", "Lubri-Bond"..ect. Just lubs the squeak until it worn off, then the squeak will come back. Hell for that matter you could use a "copper coat spray" it won't look too good, but it'll do the same thing. This is not saying that these products won't add life to the longevity of the pulley wear. These products will add life! But the first step is "proper belt alignment"! Then use the coatings at +/- 500 to 1000 mile intervals for smoother drive train operation and reduced wear. :2thumbs:

But that's just me. :hi:
Is it not possible for an aluminum pulley to become so worn that it will begin to squeak?
 
Yes a service manual will help, available through BDM direct and some dealers.

But you don't have one so here we go,
1) lift bike, rear tire off ground
2) remove axle covers. loosen axle nut (just snug so you can still adjust)
3) Rotate tire in the "forward" direction watching the belt tracking within the rear pulley.
4) Adjust tracking of belt to center of pulley while rotating in the forward direction only. Bikes don't have reverse, and the belt will track differently in that direction.
5) Adjust belt deflection to approximately 1/2" up and down of belt centered between front and rear pulleys (edit: Ooops I forgot, deflection measured @ 20 lbs of pressure. Sorry). Not much less, and "NO" more than an 1/2" but definitely "NOT TIGHT" with 0 deflection!
6) Once both requirements are achieved tighten and torque rear axle nut to 45 lbs.
7) Re-check alignment & belt deflection. If incorrect, start over and correct adjustments.
8) When proper alignment & belt deflection are achieved and axle nut is torqued properly. Remove axle adjuster Allen screws, loc-tite, and reinstall. Then reinstall axle covers.
9) Then if you wish to add "Multi Teflon", "Tri-Flow", "Lubri-Bond"..ect. Go ahead, clean up excess, let it dry, ride on!

Wha-La :2thumbs:
 
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RRRUFF

Well-Known Member
I wonder if this dry lubricant applied before there is a problem would be a good preventive measuer against wear?
 

TEXASDOG

TexasDog
I would think it is more important to get the back tire aligned with the front tire than to align it so the belt tracks in the center of the pulley. If the back tire is not aligned with front tire it turns easier to one side. We use long flourescent lights on each side of the back tire to assure it is aligned with the front tire.
 
Well if the tire is out of alignment with the belt tracking is correct, you have other alignment issues with the other components, such as trans to engine, engine "&" trans to rear tire & pulley. Overall Alignment can get real tricky to ones that don't know the how to's and in what order of the proper procedures.
I try and assume on bikes that I know that have not been wrecked and that are still stock that the motor & trans are still in factory alignment. That is until the rear wheel alignment tells me otherwise! Then the Sh#t gets deep.
 
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mobsta

Well-Known Member
drove 50miles to get the teflon spray.i only brushed it on the outer edge of the belt and let dry 24 hrs.after approx 150 mile squeak is coming back.i have aligned the back wheel many times,tracking good.will get rear pulley teflon coated this winter.spraying the whole belt surface doesnt seem like a could idea or does it.
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
drove 50miles to get the teflon spray.i only brushed it on the outer edge of the belt and let dry 24 hrs.after approx 150 mile squeak is coming back.i have aligned the back wheel many times,tracking good.will get rear pulley teflon coated this winter.spraying the whole belt surface doesnt seem like a could idea or does it.
Compare there replacement/Teflon with a Supermax conversion first. :2thumbs:
 
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