My belt used to only chirp in the rain, now it chirps even louder in the dry too. Any sugestions from those of you who have more experience with belts than me?

Phelonius

Phelonius wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

Belt's too tight.

Toss that gage and loosen the belt with the 90 twist technique.

it should twist fairly easy the first 60 degrees or so, then a little bit harder, but not much.  If your 25 year old girlfriend would have trouble, then it's too tight.

well, that's how I checked mine.  only my rear brake squeeks, not the drive belt.

silkolene makes a dry silicone belt dressing under a couple of names
bikers choice
twin power
if your local suzaship doesnt carry try the hard lee dealer.
wild temp swings here in west colo. no amount of adjusting helped over all chirps (really annoying sound1)
have had it on for the last 3months only one application NO sparrows on my scoot!! 8)

tuxedo wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:



Oh, that's priceless ......    LOL ..............

Serowbot wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

How do you know it's too loose or tight?  How do you adjust it?  You didn't get someone's girl friend to do it, did you?

Aside from that if you want to sand the belt, or lube the belt, or stress alot...then you'll have a chirping belt

When I put my bike together after the winterstop I replaced the rubbers in the wheel. Now the belt stays in the middle of the pulley.
Loose rubber damper can be beefed-up by glueing a piece of bicycle inner tube to the outside of the rubber.
Adjjust the tension while turning the wheel and observing the belt riding in the middle of the pulley untill tension is correct as per the 90 degr. twist methode.

I lost my gauge & paid 2 prices to replace it before I found this forum. Too bad for me, cuz now I dont use it at all. It is just a tool box stuffer. The best adjustment for the belt, alias, rubber chain, as you call it, is to get it tight enough to allow a 90 degree twist half way between the front & rear pulleys. It doesnt take a big effort to make the twist when it's right. It's not something a 2 year old can do, but anyone who can hold the bike up can do it eassily enough. If you are sweating & grunting, it's too tight or, well, youze a weenie.. That doesnt stop mine from squeaking, mine did that from day one & I expect it did some minor damage( created a wear pattern?) that makes it squeak, still. I have used canning wax on it & that helps, but the wax winds up slung on everything back there. Not pretty, but I cant see it when I am riding, but I can hear, so I accept some mess when the squeak gets to  me. It's better with this approach to adjusting the belt. Others use a dry spray that slicks it up. I want to try that, just havent got the extra $$ right now. Got other hassles to handle & the squeak is low on the list. Good luck!