Squeak or Squeal in drivetrain

[flatsboy]

All is quiet when cold but several miles into the ride it started a squeak that turned into a squeal, clutch in or out the same, wheel bearings are cold (had all replaced last tire change 3,000 miles back). Stopped for a half hour and the same scenario repeated. I was about 50 miles from home debating on stopping the ride and it suddenly stopped.

Well, hopefully it's not the front drive sprocket, Warner's changed it less than 3,000 miles back when it was sounding similar. Same sad story, they said I had the non-hardened splines and they replaced it with a new one that is hardened. The tranny splines were fine.

I read Thumper's ancient thread "squeaky wet rear" (nice title Rick) about re-aligning the rear sprocket. The outside of my belt is shiny so maybe that's it. Without pulling the exhaust and sprocket cover I can reach in and there's no play in the sprocket and the nut is secure.

Any chance the new sprocket could be bad after less than 3,000? Just looking for more info before I pull the exhaust and take a closer look. I'd take it back to Warners but...

Thanks for any more insight!

[Sparky_Bill]

Jack up the rear and spin the wheel see if the belt is running against the side of the pulley that that belt is shining. The belt should run in the middle of pulley for the most part. Mine kind of moves around from side to side but never stays against one side.

[flatsboy]

Jack up the rear and spin the wheel see if the belt is running against the side of the pulley that that belt is shining. The belt should run in the middle of pulley for the most part. Mine kind of moves around from side to side but never stays against one side.

Thanks Sparks, I was going to dig in tonight. Think I'll pull the sprocket cover anyway just to be satisfied it's tight and the keeper bolts are in place. Not worth chancing an output shaft for being lazy.

Have a great trip to the flats and knock another one out of the park! Thanks for the advice.

[flatsboy]

Pulled the front sprocket cover and everything is tight. Belt rides a little to the outside of the rear sprocket but doesn't look or feel like it's binding on the outer shoulder. Not much room on either side, it's a pretty snug fit. Doesn't move much from side to side when rotating the wheel. Axle nut is tight. Outside of belt on the inside shows no signs of rubbing. Why would the belt shift outside suddenly unless the sprocket was working it's way off?

Suggestions?

[Sparky_Bill]

Move the axle back on the pulley side till it rides in the middle.

[flatsboy]

Move the axle back on the pulley side till it rides in the middle.

Good idea, did that just after posting, will try it tomorrow. Thanks Sparky

[flatsboy]

Good thing I took the exhaust off, the L-bracket on the upper muffler had completely broken off above the weld. Welded it last night and drove the bike tonight. Not many miles but no squeaks. Re-aligned the rear and the belt still wants to favor the outside but we'll see. As long as it's not the sprocket again.

[John Ritter]

The belt will wander a bit if the belt is on the loose side. I like to run mine a little on the loose side, rather than too tight. Not to mention, after 80,000 my belt has never been perfectly in the middle. Always favors the right - even when I have tried to align it - shaded to the left. If I ran it tight/tight, I could get it to stay, but I don't like it excessively tight (I have had bearing issues on the pulley side)

[mnhammer]

If it is still squeaks then you need to get louder pipes or get ear plugs that will fix it :BigLaugh:

[flatsboy]

Steven, I tried your loud pipe and ear plug suggestion suggestion but Chris, John & everyone else yesterday could still hear it. :BeatsMe: All was quiet until Wabasha (where it started last week too), must be something to do with the altitude change coming down the bluff on 60 :crazy: After we stopped for gas we didn't hear it again.

Tried Sparkys suggestion but to get the belt off the outside of the pulley but I'd have to run 3/16" out of alignment. John, I checked the belt tension the other day when re-aligning and reset it to spec (same as where it was before messing around). Realigned, re-checked tension and bolted her up.

I may go with Joe's suggestion and get a new belt (although mine only has 25k on it), I'm starting to think that as it's worn it has worked it's way outside. Maybe I have a funky rear sprocket. As Spock would note, this is totally illogical :faint:

[mnhammer]

Outch new belt $280.00:( good luck.

[flatsboy]

Got lucky, just purchased a new factory Victory belt for $125, wish there were more :action35:

[mnhammer]

Got lucky, just purchased a new factory Victory belt for $125, wish there were more :action35:

Where did you get a belt for 125.00 at.

[flatsboy]

Personal party had one left over. Just got lucky.