Does Your ELW/LW1 belt squeak/chirp/squeal?

706 Views 18 Replies 6 Participants Last post by phis5533, 1 mo ago

Adventures on Zero

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

Over this winter, and last year, my 2020 ELW drive belt has been progressively making a chirp/squeal noise when under acceleration. I believe the progression is because of the increase in road dust/particles from road salting and chemicals.

I’ve got 22k miles on one ELW, and about 4k on the other. The newer one has started doing it as well, however only started recently, which kind of affirms my theory about road salt buildup on the idler sprocket.

Wondering how many others have had this issue? I’d like to make a video in the coming weeks on what I did to get rid of the noise, both short and long term. Need to do more test riding to ensure it’s a good solution, put about 25 miles on and it’s still good. I think a few hundred miles would be a good validation measure.

Reactions: 3

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

tcypher

· #2 · 4 mo ago

mine does, only when throttling. the only thing I've managed to find that works to combat it (until it rains) is a thick (non slinging) lube poly/silicone type on the outer edge of the belt.

you don't need much, but I cover the entire length on the one side.

it works most of the "dry season" without much need to reapply.

during the wet season, it's gone in one day, if not before the end of one ride.

techs can't figure out out.
HDMC can't figure it out.
I have had the belt replaced since snapping one and it did not resolved it.

Reactions: 1

xophere

· #3 · 4 mo ago

I really seems to be related to the cold for me here in PDX. Wet or dry below a certain temp but maybe that won't be the case when it warms up more consistently. I am trying not to be a gate belt hater. Here is is so much better then a chain but on my bicycle it was a constant hassle the worked horrible and caused a lot of power loss.

tcypher

· #4 · 4 mo ago

xophere said:
I really seems to be related to the cold for me here in PDX. Wet or dry below a certain temp but maybe that won't be the case when it warms up more consistently. I am trying not to be a gate belt hater. Here is is so much better then a chain but on my bicycle it was a constant hassle the worked horrible and caused a lot of power loss.

interesting. So, do you think the tensioner is shrinking or sticking causing the belt to slip or stick?
On that line, one would think that under movement, it would heat up to a temperature that would allow it to glide smoothly at some point in the ride.

xophere

· #5 · 4 mo ago

That is my current theory...

tcypher

· #6 · 4 mo ago

I believe the tensioner is aluminum - is that a common material to make these from?
I wonder (if not) - if it can be replaced with a different material.

Adventures on Zero

Discussion Starter · #7 · 4 mo ago

500+ miles after cleaning the drive train and all is still well - NO SQUEAKS! Process will be in an upcoming video

Reactions: 1

Adventures on Zero

Discussion Starter · #8 · 4 mo ago

tcypher said:
interesting. So, do you think the tensioner is shrinking or sticking causing the belt to slip or stick?
On that line, one would think that under movement, it would heat up to a temperature that would allow it to glide smoothly at some point in the ride.

I firmly believe it's dirt/grime/build up on the idler sprocket, either on the teeth/gullets or side wall.

tcypher

· #9 · 4 mo ago

Adventures on Zero said:
500+ miles after cleaning the drive train and all is still well - NO SQUEAKS! Process will be in an upcoming video

please post it to the reddit sub also.

Reactions: 1

xophere

· #10 · 4 mo ago

So this is a teaser? So helpful. Ben you're posts make me feel like you are trying to monetize my engagement with your material. Which you are but normally it doesn't feel so explicit. Do what you like but this makes me want to drop you from my YouTube feed not the opposite.

Adventures on Zero

Discussion Starter · #11 · 4 mo ago

xophere said:
So this is a teaser? So helpful. Ben you're posts make me feel like you are trying to monetize my engagement with your material. Which you are but normally it doesn't feel so explicit. Do what you like but this makes me want to drop you from my YouTube feed not the opposite.

Not sure what you mean by that. I cleaned the entire drivetrain. No squealing. Silicone spray works, but only temporarily. Before I started making claims that taking apart the drivetrain to clean it absolutely works long term, I needed to put a lot of miles on it. But that was in my original post, so again, not really understanding where you’re coming from.

colton111391

· #12 · 3 mo ago

Been riding my ELW more lately as it warms up and the belt squeak is much worse the colder the temperature. It lessens the longer i ride but never quite goes away. Will monitor throughout the spring.

Reactions: 1

phis5533

· #13 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

Hello guys, mine has about 10k miles and squeaks quite loud !
After rainy ride it is worst indeed...

Can you tell me what kind of silicon spray you use please ? Is there any contraindication to be aware of ? Do you use WD-40 for example ?
And if you have some persistent recommandation, please feel free to tell us 😊

Many thanks !
Ride well
Philippe

xophere

· #14 · 1 mo ago

I would use anytime that the belt company didn't recommend. Mine is 100 percent associated with temperature and the hd dealer basically refuses to address it. I should email gates and see what they say.

phis5533

· #15 · 1 mo ago

I've just ordered this spray : Würth 0893550, recommended for HD belt on the website : Lubrifiant au téflon WURTH pour courroie Ce spray très pratique a é...

I let you know.

Liquid Rectangle Publication Office application software Magenta

See less See more

Reactions: 1

xophere

· #16 · 1 mo ago

FAQs. Also this apparently https://www.amazon.com/CRC-05074-Silicone-Multi-Use-Lubricant/dp/B000BXKZUG

Though I guess technically that is under the bike faq section and maybe shouldn't be considered valid.

Phaedrus

· #17 · 1 mo ago

I've got 3 other Harleys, and none of mine, or the hundred of my friends squeak in cold - unless they are dirty, misadjusted, or bearings are going.

I've run the heck out my other bikes without squeak.

I'd be looking more for causes than trying a spray-lube bandaid.

.02

Reactions: 1

xophere

· #18 · 1 mo ago

Phaedrus said:
I've got 3 other Harleys, and none of mine, or the hundred of my friends squeak in cold - unless they are dirty, misadjusted, or bearings are going.

I've run the heck out my other bikes without squeak.

I'd be looking more for causes than trying a spray-lube bandaid.

.02

This is good to hear. My HD sales guy was pretty surprised this was a thing. We should really get a ticket with LW opened up and get some answers. Clearly we can't expect the dealers to sort this. Of course we have probably turned the weather on cold enough temps to reproduce it till October here.

phis5533

· #19 · 1 mo ago

Hello everyone, I've received my Lubricant and it's like magic 😊 !
No noise left at all !

Reactions: 3

1 - 19 of 19 Posts