Drive Belt/Rear Brake - Harley Forum

sage73 · #1 08-08-2009, 11:06 AM

Hey everyone, when you brake with the rear brake will it tighten the drive belt as you slow down?

Im getting a howling/humming from the rear brake when i slow down at higher speeds.. say over 45.. when im slowing i hear the howl from 40ish to 30ish..If i dont use the rear brake i can only faintly hear the howl. The rear rotor and caliper is awful hot.. but im not sure if its a bearing, the belt too tight or rear brake.. shut the motor off does the same thing.

Thanks in advance for any tips guys..

Sage

Gas Man · #2 08-08-2009, 01:21 PM

How do the pads look?

shovelmike · #3 08-08-2009, 03:00 PM

If the rotor and caliper are hot make sure the piston is not seized in the caliper and not allowing it to retract. Make sure the pedal is adjusted so that it releases completely or it will have the same effect.
Check the above plus the pads.

Bigincher · #4 08-08-2009, 04:05 PM

On some models, the entire caliper floats on pins; this allows it to always be centered on the disk as the pads wear. It is imperative to use the silicone lube specifically designed for these pins when installing new pads. Brake pad sets from the MoCo usually include a small tube of it. NAPA also has it.
If the lube has dried out and the caliper no longer slides on the pins, it will cause the pads to drag and the rotor to become overheated, as well.

And No, using the rear brake will not cause the drive belt to tighten.

frisco-rigid · #5 08-08-2009, 04:46 PM

Hi Sage

First off---- did this just recently start happening or was it always there.??

If the Brake Rotor and Caliper somehow got "cocked" to each other, that would also cause excessive rubbing and Heat and will eventually warp the rotor,, I've had it happen..

You also want to check the rear wheel alignment,, could it have somehow gotten Outa alignment.???

Check the Axel alignment bolts/screws to make sure they're tight and Not allowing the wheel to "cock' as brakes are applied..

If it were bearings the noise would Prob be there Braking or Not..

If there is Nothing broken and all is well,,, there is NO reason and NO time when the rear belt will get tighter OR looser while braking..
The top will of course get tighter under accell while the bottom will temporarily loosen and perhaps Vise-Versa while slowing or braking but always in a balanced manner

Unless you're driving one of those Non-Existant Choppers that the belt gets tighter as weight is added..

I forget--- do you have a lift of any kind.?
If you intend to keep on trying to Diagnose these probs that you're getting with a sickle that should still be under warranty,, you gotta start getting the necessary tools and stuff.. I certainly Always encourage that..

To properly figure this out you should start by lifting the entire sickle or just at least the rear-end off the ground so you can spin the wheel etc. etc. etc..

sage73 · #6 08-09-2009, 12:31 AM

Its been there a little while, its gotten worse recently after the heat and humidity has returned. The rear rotor has ridges on it, doesnt feel smooth like the two front ones. The rear rotor is as hot as the exhaust pipes after riding, the front doesnt feel warm at all.. im going to take the pads off tomorrow and look at them..

unclepsycho · #7 08-09-2009, 12:46 AM

Wow, that sounds alot like the dragging pads Big was explaining or, the cocked piston Frisco was talking about. Glad you are gonna take it apart to take a look before you ride again.
Let us know what you find.