For 2 years I have been reading about and experiencing the chirping noise created by issues with the drive belts and rear sprockets on some of the models and years of Victory. I have a 2013 CCT and started noticing this noise at around 7000 miles.
The initial check and adjustment was done as per the service manual at the 500 mile service. It also says the next time and alignment or adjustment should need to be done is every time you change your tires. I keep my bike clean and keep off of dirt roads if at all possible. I clean my belt and sprockets with a mild soap and soft toothbrush as I was told this would help. I never use any type of lubricant as some have suggested as Victory said that this would make matters worse.
At first the noise was only noticeable when the bike was cold or in colder weather. As the bike warmed up it seemed to subside. I went in early on (around 7000 miles) and under warranty as I thought it was something to do with the clutch or brakes. When they couldn't get it to chirp I experimented a little more and noticed it didn't do it when I pulled in the clutch, only under load and it kept doing it when I put on my breaks. I started inquiring on the blogs and all this information popped up about the belt chirping issues.
As the mileage increased the chirping got worse. I went to my local dealer, still under warranty, with all of the information I had discovered and experienced since my last visit. I read it was a design issue and a new rear sprocket (part number 1333369-521) was replacing the original part number 1332399-521. This could be because Victory changed vendors, material (alloy/hardness), design, dimensions, tolerances or some combination of any of these. Manufactures just don't change part numbers because they don't have anything better to do. The belt part number has stayed the same.
I went back to the dealer a couple of times just so they could hear the chirping. Every time I got there it warmed up enough so they couldn't hear the noise. Of course it made the noise the whole way there. At 9200 miles and still under warranty I was told they needed to do an alignment and adjustment to see if that helps the issue. At first it seemed to help but quickly gave way to more chirping. Nothing seemed to help as the mileage was added...it seemed to be getting worse.
Now my extended warranty was up on 2/7/16 and at 13,771 miles I needed new tires and of course another belt adjustment and alignment. I was also told by the dealer that the alignment and adjustment they had done just 4500 miles ago was way out of wack and my rear sprocket was becoming out-of-round bordering unacceptable dimensions. I left that day with new tires, a fresh belt alignment and adjustment and chirping worse than ever.
I had enough. Either Victory and the dealer would have to remedy this situation or the bike was going up for sale or getting traded in on something else. The chirping was so loud at times that my riding buddies thought it was insane. I had to turn my radio on and set on 9 just so I couldn't hear the noise. Of course people walking on the sidewalk hear a loud radio and a loud chirping noise.
I really like this bike on all other levels. It handles better than any touring bike I have owned ( I have been riding for 49 years), it has plenty of power and is extremely comfortable. But the angry birds fighting to the death on the side of my bike had to stop.
I am glad to say that my local dealer went the extra mile for me and convinced Victory to supply a new part numbered sprocket and new belt. Victory did this out of "good will". The dealer put them on for me. I am thankful for my local dealer and Victory for finally stepping up to the plate. As of the 23 miles I rode home today, not a peep! So far so good. This has been the only issue with my bike. Now I am 100% happy with my CCT. Hopefully this new part numbered sprocket does the trick.
I realize this is a long rant but I did this to help other Victory owners that are experiencing some of the stuff I went through. Belt adjustments and cleaning should only be necessary as per the maintenance/service schedule. Keep the belt clean and don't use anything on the belt as it is like a band-aid on a cancer sore and could make matters worse in the long run. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't a design problem because it very well maybe.
My only question is does anyone know why the sprocket part number has changed and what changed? My dealer doesn't know and Victory never told them.
The initial check and adjustment was done as per the service manual at the 500 mile service. It also says the next time and alignment or adjustment should need to be done is every time you change your tires. I keep my bike clean and keep off of dirt roads if at all possible. I clean my belt and sprockets with a mild soap and soft toothbrush as I was told this would help. I never use any type of lubricant as some have suggested as Victory said that this would make matters worse.
At first the noise was only noticeable when the bike was cold or in colder weather. As the bike warmed up it seemed to subside. I went in early on (around 7000 miles) and under warranty as I thought it was something to do with the clutch or brakes. When they couldn't get it to chirp I experimented a little more and noticed it didn't do it when I pulled in the clutch, only under load and it kept doing it when I put on my breaks. I started inquiring on the blogs and all this information popped up about the belt chirping issues.
As the mileage increased the chirping got worse. I went to my local dealer, still under warranty, with all of the information I had discovered and experienced since my last visit. I read it was a design issue and a new rear sprocket (part number 1333369-521) was replacing the original part number 1332399-521. This could be because Victory changed vendors, material (alloy/hardness), design, dimensions, tolerances or some combination of any of these. Manufactures just don't change part numbers because they don't have anything better to do. The belt part number has stayed the same.
I went back to the dealer a couple of times just so they could hear the chirping. Every time I got there it warmed up enough so they couldn't hear the noise. Of course it made the noise the whole way there. At 9200 miles and still under warranty I was told they needed to do an alignment and adjustment to see if that helps the issue. At first it seemed to help but quickly gave way to more chirping. Nothing seemed to help as the mileage was added...it seemed to be getting worse.
Now my extended warranty was up on 2/7/16 and at 13,771 miles I needed new tires and of course another belt adjustment and alignment. I was also told by the dealer that the alignment and adjustment they had done just 4500 miles ago was way out of wack and my rear sprocket was becoming out-of-round bordering unacceptable dimensions. I left that day with new tires, a fresh belt alignment and adjustment and chirping worse than ever.
I had enough. Either Victory and the dealer would have to remedy this situation or the bike was going up for sale or getting traded in on something else. The chirping was so loud at times that my riding buddies thought it was insane. I had to turn my radio on and set on 9 just so I couldn't hear the noise. Of course people walking on the sidewalk hear a loud radio and a loud chirping noise.
I really like this bike on all other levels. It handles better than any touring bike I have owned ( I have been riding for 49 years), it has plenty of power and is extremely comfortable. But the angry birds fighting to the death on the side of my bike had to stop.
I am glad to say that my local dealer went the extra mile for me and convinced Victory to supply a new part numbered sprocket and new belt. Victory did this out of "good will". The dealer put them on for me. I am thankful for my local dealer and Victory for finally stepping up to the plate. As of the 23 miles I rode home today, not a peep! So far so good. This has been the only issue with my bike. Now I am 100% happy with my CCT. Hopefully this new part numbered sprocket does the trick.
I realize this is a long rant but I did this to help other Victory owners that are experiencing some of the stuff I went through. Belt adjustments and cleaning should only be necessary as per the maintenance/service schedule. Keep the belt clean and don't use anything on the belt as it is like a band-aid on a cancer sore and could make matters worse in the long run. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't a design problem because it very well maybe.
My only question is does anyone know why the sprocket part number has changed and what changed? My dealer doesn't know and Victory never told them.
