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[Fivespeed302]

Be careful with using any kind of "permanent" spray-on protection for your belt.  Back when Harley Davidson switched from chain drive to belt drive (early 80s) they used to sell a "Belt Dressing" to preserve and protect the belt.

Turns out having a liquid dressing on a belt is not all that great an idea as any road grit thrown up by your tires will stick to it.  Some of that road grit is amazingly abrasive and it didn't take long for those "preserved" belts to fail prematurely.  You'll note that Harley no longer sells a "belt dressing."  Neither does any other manufacturer who sells belt-driven motorcycles.

Just keep the belt clean and wash the bike regularly.  It's better for the belt AND the bike.

It dried and now the sound is back.  Should I just get a new belt?  I don't like blowing cash anymore than the next guy but a belt probably won't break the bank.

[Richard230]

You might try adjusting your belt tensioners slightly so that your belt runs on your cog wheels perfectly straight and doesn't rub against the side of the sprocket.

[Electric Terry]

You might try adjusting your belt tensioners slightly so that your belt runs on your cog wheels perfectly straight and doesn't rub against the side of the sprocket.

+1

[odedmaz]

Belts manufacturers advice against using any kind of belt protection materials.
I would also start with good aligning, and while you are at it, give the sprockets a thorough clean.
If that does not work,  than I see no reason not to try a silicone based material. Either that or just replace the belt.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[rayivers]

Try measuring your belt tension at 6 different points in the rear wheel rotation - you may be shocked, stunned, and amazed at the results.  My FX varies about 26%, and the 'MX' would be even worse if it used a belt.  A tiny amount of sprocket/wheel eccentricity makes for a significant tension variation - and if the motor shaft & swingarm pivot centerlines are even slightly out of line - as they almost certainly are - wow, I don't even wanna think about it.

Ray

[Richard230]

Also, hand washing the belt and sprockets with mild auto detergent and thoroughly flushing with clean water might also help getting rid of the clicking sound if it is caused by dirt or a small rock embedded into the belt.

[JaimeC]

I readjusted my own belt yesterday.  It is ALMOST completely silent now but there is also this weird "thrumming" vibration that comes at speed I've never noticed before.  I feel it in the handlebars mostly.  Not as annoying as it used to be but still not the "perfectly quiet" it was when brand new (about 13,000 miles ago).

[Richard230]

I readjusted my own belt yesterday.  It is ALMOST completely silent now but there is also this weird "thrumming" vibration that comes at speed I've never noticed before.  I feel it in the handlebars mostly.  Not as annoying as it used to be but still not the "perfectly quiet" it was when brand new (about 13,000 miles ago).

That sounds like the belt might be a little too tight or maybe new belts have to break-in a bit. 

[Doug S]

...but there is also this weird "thrumming" vibration that comes at speed I've never noticed before.

That's exactly how I'd describe what I experience when my belt has been over-tightened in the past. A strange pulsation that happens only at a certain speed -- slower or faster, it goes away. Loosen the belt a tad and see if that helps.

[ZeroPointZero]

Yeah the noise is there regardless of key on or off, rolling fwd or back...

My 2015 SR has started to make a similar sound, even when pushing it around turned off in the garage.  It reminds me of a rusty spring.  WTF?  It sounds terrible and is loud.

Sorry, I'm not try to hijack your thread, but my issue is so similar that I don't see a reason to start a new thread. 

Here's a short video with good sound to demonstrate my issue.

Wheel bearings?

[Richard230]

I think wheel bearings are best checked with the bike turned off and the wheel lifted off the ground. With your hands, check for any side to side movement of the wheel, and turn it slowly, listening with a mechanic's stethoscope (or screwdriver with the blade on the wheel hub and the handle against your ear) for any rumbling or clicking sounds. A better way to check the condition of your bearings is with the wheel off of the bike, such as when changing a tire, by sticking your finger into the bearing, rotating it and feeling for any vibration or roughness. If it doesn't turn smoothly, then the bearing is bad, or getting that way, and should be replaced.

[Fivespeed302]

I took the belt completely off as well as removed the rear brake caliper.  The sound was gone.  I put the caliper back on, still no sound.  I put the belt on, and the sound came right back.   Took it to the dealership, had them align it and test for proper tension. Nothing changed, it still made the noise and I was told to “get used to the sound”.   

I continued to ride it and the sound eventually went away except for when I pushed it backwards.

None of this matters now, my battery is defective and I’m getting rid of my Zero. I’m tired of all the problems this bike has caused, and there has been many.  I’m not saying that I’ll never own another electric bike, but it’ll be at least a decade before I bite again.  Let’s see how the electric Harley is doing 10 years from now...

[droidish]

I think inept dealer service departments are giving Zero a black eye.

"Get used to the sound." Are you fookin' kidding me?! That is not a normal sound. I wonder if they're even competent enough to correctly align and tension the belt.

[NEW2elec]

Nah it can't be the dealer.