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Message started by fishinjim on 02/19/11 at 14:24:06

Title: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by fishinjim on 02/19/11 at 14:24:06

I have recently develpoed a squeeking noise that at first I thought was the rear tire rubbing on the saddle bag braces. When noise first started, it was during acceleration. I removed the saddle bag brace on the right side, as there was some scuffing on the sidewall, and noise continued. Then I got suspicious that it was coming from the drive sprocket area. I removed the cover and tested the bike. This time noise was worse. Put the cover back on, and it was as bad as when cover was off. The noise now is much worse when off throttle and coasting. It almost sounds like a small piece of gravel caught between a disk brake pad and the rotor, or behind the drive sprocket.
I don't want to damage the bike, but I can't seem to locate the source, and with the weather is the 70's the last week, I really hate to miss out on riding time. Any suggestions anyone? :-/

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by engineer on 02/19/11 at 15:09:57

I have no idea what it might be but you need to investigate before you continue to ride. If it were my bike I would start by jacking it up so the rear tire was off the floor and with the ignition off I would put it in nuetral and rotate the rear wheel and try to pin point the source of the noise. You could also inspect that rear tire more closely for any new wear marks. Also check the drive belt for alignment, there is a thread about that. I have read in this forum that the drive belt can squeak with age and it can be solved by using bee's wax and some other materials that are mentioned.

There is a thread about making a simple service stand out of a two by eight or a two by ten. Good luck and I hope it is something simple.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by fishinjim on 02/19/11 at 15:25:33

I will give that a shot. With no center stand, these beasts are not the easiest to elevate. Think I will use the hoist if I can find a good place to attach it.

I can't believe Suzuki left so little clearance from the rear fender :(to tire sidewall.

I have already tried belt lube, and it did nothing for the noise. It sounds like metal to metal. Could not find my work light today. Hope to locate it, and have a look at the back side of the drive sprocket.
The bike is an 03 with 5700 miles

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by verslagen1 on 02/19/11 at 17:46:44

I hope that squeaking sound is not your worklight ;D

So, squeaking sound, not a chirp or many chirps running together.

Chirps would be the belt

Check belt clearance to make sure it's not rubbing on something.
I once bent the lower guard causing it to rub on the belt.

Also check the drive pulley nut, bend back the lock washer and re-torque it, don't just say it looks tight so it must be good.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by fishinjim on 02/19/11 at 17:59:32

You're right it is a chirp, and the drive sprocket was what I first suspected. That is one heck of a nut that holds that thing on.
I don't have any sockets that large, but guess I will have to buy one.
The next thing to do is find my calipers to see what size the darn thing is.

Thanks, I will try that.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by verslagen1 on 02/19/11 at 18:14:41

I've been thinking on how to check this when buying a new bike.
With the pulley cover off it'll be easier.
Put it in gear and rock the bike back and forth.
put your finger on the lock washer and pulley.
do you feel any movement?

And pulley alignment is easy to check.
jack the rear tire off the ground.
while in neutral, spin the tire and watch the belt
does it track in the center or hug one side?
repeat in the other direction.
Tighten the side of the wheel that the belt tracks to.

Also chirping can be caused by a belt that's too tight.
you should be able to twist the belt 90°

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by fishinjim on 02/19/11 at 18:56:49

Thanks for that tip as well. Wish I had thought about checking the sprocket by rocking the bike while the cover was off. I thinkMonday I will go get a large set of sockets, a new lockwasher, and give it another go. I do know that the belt is tracking to one side. I thought I had that fixed, but I noticed today that it isn't. You know, I just don't enjoy working on these things like I did 40 years ago. But even less, the labor rates charged by the repair shops today.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by verslagen1 on 02/19/11 at 21:07:08

Harbor fright has a set of 3/4 drive sockets for the cost of 2 craftsman sockets. Just get the set of adapters to go with it.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/19/11 at 21:51:27

6A657F6465626665610C0 wrote:

Harbor Freight has a whole set of 1/2" drive, deep, impact sockets for about the same $$$ as a Good Socket that size.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by photojoe on 02/20/11 at 05:41:31

On the way home after my first ride of the season, the chirping started again. I twisted the belt and it seemed too tight. That's the problem. How do I know? It happened before, and with a simple adjustment I got it right. Why the chirp now? I would have to guess that when the shop installed my new rear tire, they screwed up my settings.

Adjusting the belt is a simple fix, trial and error sort of thing. My first attempt left it too loose. Back to the curb and tightened a bit. Took me maybe 2-3 times to get it perfect.

If I were you, I would try the adjustment first. That's usually where the chirping comes from. Always a good idea to check the front pulley torque while you're at it, but my money is on the belt needing adjustment.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by fishinjim on 02/20/11 at 06:33:13

This one has a new rear tire as well.
Could well be the issue. We shall see.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/20/11 at 09:50:00

If it got a new tire on it,, you can bet th belt is adjusted different than before. Just hafta mess with it.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by dasch on 02/20/11 at 11:12:27

check the belt guard too, remove to test. That sob is large and resonant, turns every contact with pulleys or belt into a concert! I had that case.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by fishinjim on 02/20/11 at 17:03:39

Thanks, guys. I will try to get this all checked out in the next 2 days if the back permits and I will post results.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by einheit13 on 02/25/11 at 09:20:41

A little dab of grease won't hurt either. The belt will move from side to side and sometimes you get a chirp when the sides of the belt walk into the guides.

Title: Re: Loud squeeking, suspect drive pulley area
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/25/11 at 16:34:02

These belt arent sposed to be oiled or greased.