Dna conversion noise on 96 hd sportster

[A. MYERELLA]

Hello. I have a dna conversion on my 1996 hd sportster. I put a new drive belt on my 70 spline pulley.

It now has a whining noise when i ride the bike. The tension has the correct play & i have greased the fittings on the axle. Plenty of grease when i disassembled the rear end before putting on the new belt. I have used both 1 1/8" & presently 1 1/2" belts. Any ideas as what it may be? It is a good rear end.

Any particular way of aligning the new belt? Hope i am posting in the correct place. Thanks for your

help.

Angelo

[rhino 2]

Angelo, Welcome to Trike Talk.........I can't help you but i'm sure someone will chime in soon with the help you need...

[Fearless]

You may want to post this question in the Harley conversions subforum a lot more traffic there ya kno... Possibly tires check tread design or possibly drive belt needs aligned, it may not be set up properly not pointing fingers just saying... Good luck finding issue please keep us posted. Fred

[rhino 2]

Angelo, Welcome to Trike Talk.........I can't help you but i'm sure someone will chime in soon with the help you need...

Just to add.......The belt on my Slingshot had a whine and i put just a dab of dietetic grease between the pulley rails/edge and the belt...No more wine..

[Jack Klarich]

Welcome to Trike Talk

Almost always a noise after a belt replacement can be traced back to the adjustment of the belt

Did you rotate the wheels in gear to find the tight spot of the belt? Have another go at it and do check back in

[Papa Zook]

Not being able to hear the noise, but based of what you are describing, the whining your are hearing is most likely the belt being forced against one side of the pulley due to not being properly aligned. You can rotate it by hand to get it close, but it can wander when torque is applied.

You or preferably someone with mechanical knowledge will need to CAREFULLY jack up the rear of the trike and secure it on jack stands and run it at an idle in 1st gear and see which side the belt is rubbing against. Adjust the alignment bolts on either side until the belt is running centered in the pulley, and be aware of keeping the proper tension.

[1dn5up]

^^^^^^^^^ listen to the Boss !

[Papa Zook]

A quick and cheap way to determine if belt alignment is your issue, is to pick up a can of CRC Belt Dressing at any auto parts store, liberally spray the edges of the belt/pulley while rotating it, then take it for a spin. If the sound temporarily goes away, the problem is alignment.

[Jack Klarich]

A quick and cheap way to determine if belt alignment is your issue, is to pick up a can of CRC Belt Dressing at any auto parts store, liberally spray the edges of the belt/pulley while rotating it, then take it for a spin. If the sound temporarily goes away, the problem is alignment.

In a pinch I have used my kids crayons. The wax will quiet the belt down also

[Papa Zook]

Hello. I have a dna conversion on my 1996 hd sportster. I put a new drive belt on my 70 spline pulley.

It now has a whining noise when i ride the bike. The tension has the correct play & i have greased the fittings on the axle. Plenty of grease when i disassembled the rear end before putting on the new belt. I have used both 1 1/8" & presently 1 1/2" belts. Any ideas as what it may be? It is a good rear end.

Any particular way of aligning the new belt? Hope i am posting in the correct place. Thanks for your

help.

Angelo

I also just noticed that you said you have tried both a 1 1/8" belt and are currently running a 1 1/2" belt. The DNA kit for your make and model Sportster calls for the stock 1 1/8" belt. That is what I would run as it will give you more clearance and would be easier to align.

[Lee H. Mann]

I also just noticed that you said you have tried both a 1 1/8" belt and are currently running a 1 1/2" belt. The DNA kit for your make and model Sportster calls for the stock 1 1/8" belt. That is what I would run as it will give you more clearance and would be easier to align.

Not that this should make a difference but the 2003 and earlier Sportsters had a 65 tooth rear sprocket with that 1 1/2" belt.

Running a 70 tooth instead of a 65 tooth sprocket really hurts highway speed.

I take it that the belt is not rubbing against anything under the front cover and the pulley is tight ??

A bar of soap will also do the trick.

[A. MYERELLA]

Thanks to everyone for their insights on this problem. I appreciate all your suggestions. I also believe alignment is the main issue. I will go back & start my realignment process.

Thanks again to everyone.

Angelo