I hav two questions about my Thunderbird: 1) My 2011 Thunderbird Storm makes a high pitch whistling/chirping sound out of the exhaust while under throttle. I can’t figure it out. 2) I’m looking for the drivers backrest for the same bike. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
I had not considered that as a possibility. I could have sworn it was exhaust, but that could well be, considering where the noise is coming from. Other than changing it out, is there a way to verify that?
You could rub the edges of the belt with a wax candle this should eliminate the belt noise for a time, allowing you to verify where it's coming from. As for riders backrest there like rocky horses shite to get and everybody knows that, I sold my last one complete with touring seat, it took me forever to replace both, don't use it but wrapped up and I intend keeping it, just like the sissy bar and pillion backrest.
Thanks, I will give that a try. I have used soap on automobile belts before, but as you indicated about the candle wax, it's only temporary. This is my first belt drive bike, so this had not crossed my mind. As for the back rest, it appears they are no longer manufacturing them, so I will be on the lookout for a NOS or used one. My bike has the touring seat to accept the factory one.
What I do if it occasionally chirps is to clean the belt with ordinary soap and water...let it dry then spray it with dry silicone spray... that'll take care of it for quite a while. It's worthwhile getting the tension and alignment checked out...that's the real cure.
My Bird was my 1st bike with a belt also. Had the same problem in the beginning. Used to drive me crazy. I've found the only fix is proper alignment/tension. Its a bitch to get it dead on. But once you figure it out, its not so bad. I get my belt to where there is 10 thousandths clearance between the right side of the pulley and the belt. That seems to take care of mine. Everyone has their own way of doing it. I dont run my belt quite as tight as recomended since it tightens up when the bike heats up. Best of luck to Ya!
I can't thank everyone enough for the advice, rode about a hundred miles yesterday and the soap didn't last. Will be looking at the tension and alignment, hopefully today. Having one heck of a time finding a factory drivers backrest, either A9700222 or A9708158 (adjustable). Seems both are out of production and I'm not finding any used ones either. Any advice? I know TEZ 217 said they are hard to find, but that doesn't mean impossible. (I'm trying to be an optimist)
@Greg J. One on fleabay if your desperate but being sold as a complete touring kit, Double seat, on/off sissy bar and riders back rest on at a price of 750 quid won't separate items as they know seat and pillion backrest and rack is still easy to find unlike riders backrest. Mine is only 749.99
