V2K Belt Noise

[Vulcan900]

Add me to the list of V2K owners that have had belt problems.

Friday night I was on my way back home, and decided that the interstate was the quickest way, 20 minutes on I-295, and then I-10 into town. When I slowed down to 50mph or so for the interchange it sounded like I had a cricket behind my windshield. I started moving my head around trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. The shield was reflecting the noise which I finaly decided was emanating from the rear of the bike.

By the time I exited off of I-95 for down town whatever it was, was screaming. I thought a wheel bearing had gone. I stopped at the first lighted gas station for inspection… none of the bearings were hot to the touch, but the brake rotors and exhaust were. Nothing out of the norm so I hopped back on and headed for the house. The noise was so bad I stopped again in about half a mile, (just before the bridge). This time I picked a well lit area and let it sit for a while before checking it over… nothing!!! When backing to leave I heard a loud squeak, damn belt!!! As I rolled it back and forth there was one spot where it made a loud squeaking noise, similar to my previous experience with the 900.

I had never had any issues with the belt on the V2K (8,700 miles). I always made some noise, but always within reason. I limped home with the bike sounding like it was going to explode any second. When I got home I checked it over again (a belt couldn’t make that much noise) but found nothing else it could be.

In the AM I went to Harbor Freight and bought a $60 motorcycle jack. Got home, put it together, and tried it out. It worked well, but then it started to rain. That evening the Misses and I went for a ride and all was good for maybe 30 miles, and then it started up again. Luckily there was a great seafood place right there, so we stopped for dinner and to let the bike cool. When we started back home all was good until we got into our neighborhood, and then it started up again.

Sunday AM I loosened the rear wheel and adjusted it so that the belt ran all the way to the right. I then took some 220 grit sand paper to the inside of the rear pulleys left flange and the left side of the belt. It is amazing how much buildup was on the pulley.

Next was a thorough belt inspection, I laid on my back to get a better look at the teeth side. I found that the belt has sand, grit, and debris imbedded in the surface making it like sand paper. I also found a few larger pieces of harder material imbedded and removed them.

I lined the belt up so that it was just off the left flange by rolling the wheel and adjusting the right nut. When I was satisfied I tightened everything up. Then I noticed that the adjuster nut on the right side was no longer making contact, and when I moved the wheel the belt moved back to the left flange. I went through the process a few times, but apparently the axle trues itself as it is tightened. So I finally accepted this as the way it is supposed to be, put it back together, and went for a good long ride. No more noise, but this is probably a short term fix.

Now for the questions:

What is the long term solution to this problem?

What are these pulley shims I have read about? Did they solve your problem, how many miles since install? Where does you belt run on your pulley now versus pre-install? Where are they installed, and where can I buy some?

What is the life expectancy of a belt? Is the imbedded material normal? How will this affect the life of the pulleys? Should I replace my belt?

[Vulcan900]

bump

[Time2Ride]

Sorry your having troubles now.

But, are you sure it's the belt?

I've got a Kaw tech doc i could send you if you give me your email address. You can send me a private message if you want. It contains a lot of information on the belt drive system.

Actually the doc is posted here http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...elt-noise.html


The pulleys can be ordered from Myron @ mis51164@bektel.com

[Vulcan900]

I am fairly sure it is the belt… I loosened the rear axle, sanded the pulley and the belt, adjusted the belt tension, and tightened everything back up. Problem solved, but only temporarily I am sure.

I am looking for a permanent solution. I don’t want to be fooling with the belt every few thousand miles.

Any suggestions?

[Vulcan900]

OK, my noise is back in maybe 200 miles. Anyone change the rear wheel bearings on 06 or up VN2000?

[WindRush48]

I have the same problem on my V2K! When I went down to South Texas I first noticed the problem. Seems that when the temperature is above 80F and you ride for a while, the belt starts to chirp. Then the bike starts sound like an armoured unit (sherman tank). I've talked to the dealer about the issue and he showed me the bulletin on it. Sanding the belt edge and bead blasting the inside of the flange is supposed to be the answer. However, with 4k miles that SHOULD not be a problem!!! Having been an industrial mechanic, it seems to me that the rubber compound used in the belt is not the right one. Maybe if enough people call Kawa, they will investigate.
While I'm here ...... Does anyone else have the problem of the speedo being about 12% off? Mine reads 75 when I'm actually doing 65 (according the LE radar units).

[Vulcan900]

I took a ride down to Tampa Friday morning. As I had predicted there was a good howling noise coming from the rear after about an hour on the road. I stopped and carefully sprayed the rear pulley and belt with some WD-40, rolled the bike forward a few times to ensure I got most of the belt, and wiped the pulley clean when I was done. I got back on the road as quick as I could, and had no noise for a while. In my mind this confirmed it as a belt issue. When the noise came back I stopped, adjusted the belt, and got back on the road as quickly as possible with the drive system still hot. It took a few tries, but I think I finally got it right. Note, It is not fun making a belt adjustment in a parking lot with hot exhaust and brakes. I am sure that a few people thought I was totally nuts cussing and kicking my bike (kicking the rear tire forward) in the McDonalds parking lot.


After the last adjustment the noise was within what I would call normal. Never the less, Saturday early AM before getting back on the road I put some more PolyOil on the belt. I have to say that the belt seems pretty loose now, but I haven’t had any of the “bunching” noises that others have noted with a loose belt. Since the last adjustment I went from Tampa to Live Oak, FL, all around the Suwannee tri County area, and back to JAX without the screaming belt. Hopefully it’s gone for good.

[gusnid]

I came here to ask a question and found this thread which answers most of my questions about belt noise. I have the V2K 07. Always had the chirping sound at speed. Now after installing the new chrome pulley I got from Myron I have belt squeak when rolling the bike forward or backward.
I've tried adjusting belt loose and tight no luck. I've never been able to adjust the belt to ride anywhere but the outside edge of the pulley (both stock and new).
If anyone has been able to remedy this, I'd appreciate hearing how.
The wife rides a new softail deluxe. I see the belt rides to the outside edge on that as well. However no noise. That is until she has to have it serviced. Then the noise is more of a shriek... HOLY sh--!! how much?

Gus

[Vulcan900]

Belt will squeak when walking the scoot. From what I have read I believe it is from the front pulley, and that it is normal as long as it doesn't make a whole lot of noise at speed.

[VetteGuy]

I have the same issue, I solved it by proper belt tension and using a wax based tefon lubricant. I adjusted my belt so you can turn it 90 degrees with your thumb and forefinger (yes you have to twist hard). Then I used a spray lubricant that is wax based and dries without being tacky as not to pick up road dust. Problem solved, I apply once about every six months.
Dupont Teflon Multi-use dry wax lubricant is what I use.

Thanks, Chris

[VetteGuy]

I also have a lot of fuel injector noise that taps and chirps between 50 and 60 in 5th gear, havent figured out how to solve that one yet.....

[mrfix]

I have a 2008 LT, when the bike was new, the day I brought it home I noticed the belt was realy tight so I measured the belt tension and got virtually no deflection at 10 pounds on a belt gauge. I came over from the Harley side before the V2k, you want to talk belt noise? Harley even sells a belt lube to quiet it down. I have found over the years that if the belt is adjusted and aligned properly it will be quiet and run just off the left side of the pulley. I went to work on my new bike adjusting and analyzing the belt. I found the Kawasaki belt adjustment method to yield a belt that is too tight and causes the thnig to make more noise than it should. I went to the Harley method of adjusting the belt and used their spec. My belt has been quiet for 5000 miles without the use of any lube. The method of adjustment I used is as follows, I did a front to rear wheel alignment on the bike first which did result in the belt pulleys to be in proper alignment. I then set the belt tension at 3/8" at ten pounds with the wheel off the ground, then I had 325 pounds of helpers sit on the bike to compress the rear shock to where it would be when going down the road. I was looking for the swingarm position that would yield the longest dimension between the pulleys (the tightest point). With the belt set at 3/8" with the wheel off the ground, it was just under 1/8" once the bike was loaded and the shock compressed. My experience showed that if you adjust the belt per the Kawi procedure it will be way too tight when going down the road do to the arc of swingarm travel. I also checked with gates and asked an engineer what the penalties of running a loose belt would be, I was told that as long as the belt wasn't jumping teeth there were none, they also said that if my belt never ingested a rock it should last the life of the bike.
I can't believe Harley figured this out and Kawi didn't.
Hope this helps.
Mrfix

[Hogbreath]

https://www.latus-harley-davidson.co...-81&review=add

Get a tube of Harley poly Oil put a dab on each side of the belt( edges) go riding and do it whenever needed, usually a year or two. HDs belts chirp, whine etc on deceleration, this was made for the front belt on a Sturgis but does a great job on rears. I've used it with success since 1990 with no ill effect on belt life. $ 3.95 a tube your local dealer may have it if you provide the part # but will be clueless if you ask for it!