Motorcycle Repair: Drive Belt Squeal, rear pulley, free lube


Question
I have a 97 FLSTF and put a 200mm tire on it recently.  I have a performance machine billet rear pulley and a new HD 1 1/2" belt.  Under acceleration it sounds if the belt is squealing.  Let up and coast, in or out of gear and I hear nothing.  It doesn't have to be a hard acceleration.  I did put a little "break free" lube on the belt and it stopped however once it wears off the squeal is back.  This worked for about 500 miles.  This weekend I went on a 200 mile ride.  Now the break free lube doesn't quiet the belt upon acceleration and actually now sound even worse.  While parked if I push up and down on the belt as if to check the deflection I can easily hear the belt creak.  It sounds like the creak is mainly coming from the inner primary but I can hear it creak sometimes at the rear pulley.

I thought I had it adjusted tight enough but maybe not.  I know a loose acc belt on a car squeals when they are loose.  Would a loose drive belt squeal or is my rear pulley and trans pulley not properly lined up and rubbing against the inner primary?  I don't see where the side of the belt is getting tore up. The bike looks really trick but the squeal is driving me nuts.

Thanks for any help,

Scott  

Answer
Check the alignment of the tire to make sure it is square with the frame. If it is, and the belt is adjusted properly, the you will probably have to go with a different brand belt. Squeeking belts are a pain and sometimes you can never stop it. I have cured the problem, like I said above, by changing brands.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike