View Full Version : Why I like my shaft drive
desertdog
03-15-2011, 05:56 PM
Did a Patriot Guard mission today. Got in about the middle of the pack, surrounded by harleys 2 in front, one on my side and two behind.
Soon as we got going I noticed all the belt drives were chirping.
Get up to about 30 MPH and it sounded like I was stuck in the middle of a flock of giant canaries. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif
The noise would not quit. http://s2.images.proboards.com/angry.gif:(" title=">:(" border="0"/>
Wound up with a head ache from all that chirping before we were done.
I like my nice quiet smooth shaft drive. :)
ringadingh
03-15-2011, 05:59 PM
I ride with two of my pals that have belt driven Ultra's and Ive never heard either bike make a noise from the belts. I'll pay more attention to it when we ride together next time.
If you could hear the belts chirping (or anything else besides loud pipes), those weren't real Harleys! :-)
macmac
03-15-2011, 06:51 PM
Do a swingarm service and soak the drive shaft in a solvent tank. peel back the rubber seals on the U joint and blow all the grease out. Heat the shaft to dry off the solvent, then soak the shaft in water for a week.
Re-install it and your bike will chirp just like a Harley http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Do a swingarm service and soak the drive shaft in a solvent tank. peel back the rubber seals on the U joint and blow all the grease out. Heat the shaft to dry off the solvent, then soak the shaft in water for a week.
Re-install it and your bike will chirp just like a Harley http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Or just clothes pin a baseball card close to the rear wheel, a lot less work if you want to return it to stock. ::) http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
macmac
03-15-2011, 07:17 PM
base ball cards don't chirp so far as I know.... He's lookin' fer http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif the HD chirp......
glwilson
03-15-2011, 07:21 PM
Have never heard the chirp being referred to...
I think I would be getting that fixed.
base ball cards don't chirp so far as I know.... He's lookin' fer http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif the HD chirp......
Mac, the cards from the Cardinals, Orioles or Toronto Blue Jays work best http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
ponch
03-15-2011, 07:36 PM
May be the tension on the belts was incorrect. This would happen when the rear tire gets changed. While I like shaft drive, I haven't heard of anything inherent in proper belt drives that would indicate chirping.
jandreu
03-15-2011, 10:03 PM
My HD has 58K on the orginal belt and still looks like new. While I like the shaft drive on the Nomad I think the belt is good also.
AlabamaNomadRider
03-15-2011, 10:10 PM
The only belt driven cycle I was on was one that my first cousin owned. Back then, the 60s, when the belt got wet riding in the rain you quit riding because the belt would start to slip. I owned two motorcycles with chains and now am on my third with a shaft. The shaft is so much better than the chain. Can't say anything about modern belts but have just never wanted a bike with a belt.
ringadingh
03-16-2011, 04:53 AM
The HD belts have a long life to them nowadays. My pal had about 90k on his when he replaced it.
glwilson
03-16-2011, 07:09 AM
The belts of "old" are not the belts of "new".
They are not what they used to be. That's all I'll say to those that are dead-set against belts.
Belts are the way to go. Sorry, suspenders just make me look stoopider. You have to go with what works for you.
desertdog
03-16-2011, 10:32 AM
I have no problem with belt drives per se, it just suprised the hell out of me to have so many of them around. The riders apparently are used to it, but I would hate to do a long ride with the noise.
I have read that the chirping is usually not an issue on a belt drive, so it obviously has to be some thing slightly out of adjustment. It is just not something I would accept if I had a belt drive ride.
landman
03-16-2011, 04:11 PM
i heard the same complaint on the first year kawasaki 1700's.also noticed that the new vaquero comes with a narrower belt to avoid this issue.
ringadingh
03-16-2011, 07:08 PM
If I had a belt drive that was chirping or making some noises Id take it back to get checked for alignment or tension. If setup properly they shouldn't make any noise that is noticable over the exhaust and transmission.
snarleybill08
03-18-2011, 08:33 AM
i have a 1300 v-star with a belt drive. when i did the first tire change i got the loud whine or chirp when coming to a stop. the belt was a little to tight. i never had to adjust the belt in the first 14,000 miles. the belts are pretty much maintenance free. i have nothing against shaft drive, but i would rather have the belt on my nomad. the belt drive is simpler, lighter, more maintenance free, has less frictional drag, and cheaper and easier to repair. they are very critical on the adjustment. alignment and tension is critical. once set right you can forget the belt for many miles. usually adjustment is only needed at tire changes.
ponch
03-18-2011, 09:09 AM
there is one area or place a belt drive doesn't word so well: Where there's gravel roads etc. pebbles and such will wreak havoc with a belt drive pulleys.
Jared
03-18-2011, 10:44 AM
I have owned belt drive. If they were chirping it is a sign that they were too tight. Mine chirped when it was new and tightened by the dealer. It shouldn't chirp if tightened correctly.
Have you serviced you shaft drive yet? I have done it twice now. It's not a massive job, but it's a lot more than the belt will ever require. Most the best are rated to be replace at 50K miles and some at 80K miles.
IMO, belts are cheaper, lighter, much more efficient, and less work to maintain. I wish I could find a conversion kit for the Nomad.
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