Howls like an owl! : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

badhabit · 07-04-2008, 05:08 PM

08 FLHX howls like an owl when it's slowing down. Especially if I let it get down to 10 or 15 mph in second gear. I felt the drive belt today and it's as tight as a drum. Could this be causing the howling sound? Any ideas would be appreciaated. By the way this didn't start until after I took it in for the 5000 mile service. Driving me nuts!

y2kflhr · 07-04-2008, 05:13 PM

hard to say but the belt definitely shouldn't be that tight.

badhabit · 07-04-2008, 05:23 PM

How tight should it be and how do I get it that way. Thanks

Gulfstream · 07-04-2008, 05:42 PM

Sounds like (no pun intended) the dealer overtightened the belt during the 5K service. Look in your owners manual, there's a section on checking your drive belt. If is indeed too tight, take it back and make them make it right!

y2kflhr · 07-04-2008, 05:44 PM

that's something I can't help you with, my bike is a 2000, its a different axle adjustment than yours, I would go to the dealer and show him, let them readjust it, probably if you do a search for belt adjustmen, you can find the the spec for your year.

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/dy...t-tension.html

Krayven Sumhead · 07-05-2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badhabit

How tight should it be and how do I get it that way. Thanks

The MoFuCo sells a 'belt tension tool' that's guaranteed to set the belt tension waaaaaay tooooo tight. The MoFuCo hasn't quite figured out that the belts tighten on the sprockets as it heats up.
Feel the tension before you ride, ride it 1/2 hr and check the tension again.
I just loosen it until it stops howling and set the tension when it's warmed up.

TXCHOP · 07-05-2008, 07:17 AM

I recently had an 08 bike in for howling as well. While his belt was not the problem, his primary chain was tight as a guitar spring. Took off primary cover, reset the tensioner and been good so far. Not really any other options for the tensioner yet.

Pikeslayer · 07-07-2008, 11:52 AM

I just went through this on my '06 Street Glide. Had the dealer put a tire on it, noticed the howl when it slows down. Belt was as tight as a banjo string. Had to redo it. I hate Harley service.

iclick · 07-21-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krayven Sumhead

The MoFuCo sells a 'belt tension tool' that's guaranteed to set the belt tension waaaaaay tooooo tight. The MoFuCo hasn't quite figured out that the belts tighten on the sprockets as it heats up.
Feel the tension before you ride, ride it 1/2 hr and check the tension again.
I just loosen it until it stops howling and set the tension when it's warmed up.

Or find a cold tension that settles where you want it when hot. I did some tests on this and found that mine tightens up considerably even when simply parked in the sun. Here are some examples using the HD 10# gauge:

Adj. cold to 9/16"
Outside (85°) after wash, no run: 3/8"
After short ride: 5/16"
Next day, cold: 7/16"

Since I consider 5/16" plenty tight enough, I'm now setting at 9/16" cold. If I used the Moco's specs for an SG (1/4 - 5/16" cold), the belt would be tight as a banjo string after a short ride. This can't be good for the belt or bearings.

I used the old 45°-twist method on my old RK and after 12 years and >115k miles the original belt is still on the bike.