If you have a H-D that has developed a "chirp" in the clutch or rear sprocket, I have a new solution to the problem. The problem is belt glazing on the side of the belt that contacts the sprockets. It develops over time and tends to become very bad when the belt is cold, or wet. I have tried waxing my belt, and had limited results. I had to idle the bike on a jack while in gear (not a good idea, a friend lost a thumb doing this) and running wax against the side of the belt. I have now shifted to lubing the belt with DRY graphite powder.
The application needs to be done once a week or so, but just dusting between the belt and the rear sprocket, inside and out, does the trick. It is inexpensive, and can be done in a parking lot. I now have a small
$1 tube of graphite.
I would caution against any other type of lube to try, since the carriers could cause deteriation of the belt material.
KC
Re-aligning the rear wheel also will eliminate this chirp.
Lonnie
What Lonnie said. You can make and alignment tool. PM me if you want the details. Also you will need a belt tensioning tool. A fish scale works.
I've been through it all, had the dealers (3) do it. I do it on a regular basis. After almost 70,000 miles on the belt, and long discussions with H-D mechanics and "experts", this is an unavoidable situation. Mostly predominent on Softails, but also happens on FLs.
This issue will not cause premature failure. H-D mechanics recommended wax, and one dealer said that crayons work best.
It was stressed that this is the price of progress, and a rubber against steel issue.
Haven't been through it all yet (I hope).
But in 20 years of having belt drive Harleys I've never had to wax a belt, never had a prevailing chirp. Rear wheel alignment has always worked for me.
70,000 is a lot to ask of a Harley drive belt. Maybe it's time to invest in a new one.
Lonnie
At of National HOG event several years ago, the question of chirps and squeek of Drive Belts came up during a maintenance seminar. The answer for the factory tech was........ "realine the rear wheel. Do not put anything on belt. Oil, grease, crayons, etc. will attract dirt and increace wear on belt. The noise was normal."
After about 100,000 miles I did some rebuilding and replaced the drive sprockets and belt. At about an additional 25,000 miles I noticed the Squeek while pushing the bike backyards out ot the garage. I now believe the factory guys that the noise is "standard".
normal yet annoying.
My '88 softail had it I washed the belt in soap and water with a brush, same with the '91 flt.
