Have an 1988 police bike that we added a sidecar to recently.
We live on a dirt road and the rear belt would squall when on the dirt road and about 1 mile after hitting hard pavement. Then it would quite down again until you hit the dirt road again. Always figured it was from the dust getting embedded in the belt. The belt and rear pulley are well used. They don't look bad just have some miles on them.
A few weeks ago we put a side hack on the bike and it now squalls constantly. Dirt road or hard pavement. Anyone have any thoughts? I am wondering if I was marginally loose in the way I have adjusted it and now the additional drag of the hack is making it too loose?
Thanks.
Joe
is it the original belt?
are you using the belt tension tool?
have you checked the swing arm bushings?
or the swing arm rubber donuts?
how many miles is on the belt?
when looking at a 1988 bike you should check all the above to make sure they are in spec.
also note that on older HD's the bikes that came WITH a sidecar had a heavier belt - you should check the belt number to be sure its the heavy duty belt. [note many police bikes already do have the heavy duty belt]
to
Originally written by fastjoe on 12/30/2007 7:42 PM
Have an 1988 police bike that we added a sidecar to recently.
We live on a dirt road and the rear belt would squall when on the dirt road and about 1 mile after hitting hard pavement. Then it would quite down again until you hit the dirt road again. Always figured it was from the dust getting embedded in the belt. The belt and rear pulley are well used. They don't look bad just have some miles on them.A few weeks ago we put a side hack on the bike and it now squalls constantly. Dirt road or hard pavement. Anyone have any thoughts? I am wondering if I was marginally loose in the way I have adjusted it and now the additional drag of the hack is making it too loose?
Thanks.
Joe
Joe, this is not going to be a fix but see if you can find some HD PolyLube. I think HD has discontinued it but one of the mechanics might have a tube in his tool box. Dab a little in a couple places on the belt and take the bike out for a spin. Bet ya it doesn't squall anymore. If it does stop you need to check the rear wheel alignment of the drive sprocket.
I had this problem with my '02 Ultra and when I put the polylube on it shut up. Another thing, bet if you spray some water on the belt it'll also shut up. My wrench buddy tells me that the polylube will attract more dirt which stands to reason...and you living on a dirt road. Well, not a fix. Check the alignment, it's very crucial.
Also as was suggested see which belt you have. I've always ran the HD heavy duty belt because of my long trip and heavy loads with and without the sidecar. But more especially WITH the sidecar.
You might also check the drive sprocket for wear...thoughts would be to replace that sprocket. I you replace the sprocket I'd go ahead and replace the drive belt also. 88 model probably has some pretty good wear on it. And make sure, traveling a dirt road, that you have the stone guard in place on your bike.
o~o
If you want to see if it is the belt squealing just rub a bar of soap on the belt and sprocket, one that's a little soft works best, if you get caught in the rain and you notice that the bubbles have stopped coming off the rear it's time to do it again :-), kidding aside it works, for a while anyhow.
