"09" 1700 Nomad, Nothing should sound this bad!

[coachrgraves]

The thing that bothers me about the belt tension, or making it less tight, is there is a whole lot of torque at times (both ways on the belt). When your accelerating a 800 plus pound bike with wind drag and passengers or simply closing the throttle from high RPM's the torque on these belts is extreme. It is a critical component between a heavy bike and big motor.

My first instinct is to fix the noise and slack the belt. That would be the easiest solution, then I think why wouldn't kawasaki do that (no cost solution)? I know they have been making belt drives for a while, not sure what year?, maybe there are reasons why some engineer in japan wants that belt to be so tight even though so many riders detest the whine it makes. I'm gonna leave mine where it is set, I don't mind the extra music!!!

ride safe!

[motley]

Originally Posted by deathwalker

Motely,

When you loosened your belt tension, did you do it yourself or did you take it to the dealer and have them do it? with the bike on its stand in my driveway.

Don't have a dealer close by, the closest is the one who sold it to me and I'm not going near him at least until he figures out that the bike is not shaft drive.
Anyway, there is an independent shop nearby which has a great rep, works on every make going (including my past Wing and my current Vic) The owner has owned a couple of Nomads and I left it up to him. He said they loosened it "just a little" which to me sounds a lot like Dr No's experience of going from approximately 3-5mm to 8mm. Done properly, think you need one of those tension gauges they use and also, if you are planning on doing this while it sits on the side stand you might have problems. I would think that wheel needs to be off the ground. Using a dealer the key to it would be finding a dealer like Dr No's who was agreeable to going to 8mm even though in my opinion there is no way you can mistake that howling for anything other than a too tight belt. But some may say "factory spec is 3-5mm and thats where I'll set it." A dilemma.

[deathwalker]

Originally Posted by DrNo

Mine whined too and I feel your pain. Mine would whine like a ?!@$#@$! at 47km. My dealer said the Kawi spec is 3-5mm and set mine to 8mm. No more whine at all and they are confident that the tension is still very much inline. Also the rear wheel had a small missalignment. I was, as you, embarrased to "cruise" but now it is sweet sweet sweet. Trans is a loud one to shift. I find that when I shift if I only pull in the clutch enough to relax it, the shift noise of more of a click than a clunk. The worst is the 1-2 shift. But, the bike will start out in 4th gear lol as I found out yesterday.........ooops and I didnt even have to fan the clutch that much.

Is this an adjustment I can make? the the 3-5mm..what is that relative to? Im anxious to resolve this.

[deathwalker]

Originally Posted by motley

Don't have a dealer close by, the closest is the one who sold it to me and I'm not going near him at least until he figures out that the bike is not shaft drive.
Anyway, there is an independent shop nearby which has a great rep, works on every make going (including my past Wing and my current Vic) The owner has owned a couple of Nomads and I left it up to him. He said they loosened it "just a little" which to me sounds a lot like Dr No's experience of going from approximately 3-5mm to 8mm. Done properly, think you need one of those tension gauges they use and also, if you are planning on doing this while it sits on the side stand you might have problems. I would think that wheel needs to be off the ground. Using a dealer the key to it would be finding a dealer like Dr No's who was agreeable to going to 8mm even though in my opinion there is no way you can mistake that howling for anything other than a too tight belt. But some may say "factory spec is 3-5mm and thats where I'll set it." A dilemma.

I guess this is an adjustment best left to a skilled bike tech. Now..can I get my shop to do it.

[coachrgraves]

Hey Deathwalker,

How's that ride doing?

[WrenchTwister]

I just checked out the Voyager at my local dealer about a week ago. I am not impressed. The plastic looks and feels cheap on the bags and trunk, the saddlebags are no where near as nice as my '06 Nomad, there's no aux input for the sound system and no rear speaker package. Dealer rep had no idea when and if Kaw was gonna come up with these items. I think I'd lean more towards and ultra classic or a wing with the voyager in its present state.

[deathwalker]

Originally Posted by coachrgraves

Hey Deathwalker,

How's that ride doing?

Ride is just fine Coach. Took a little 150 mile spin on Sunday, pleasant ride at highway speeds and the cruise control is awesome. This doesn't ease my unhappiness with the terrible whine though and my gas mileage was less than impressive at 35 mpg. My 1600 classic got around 42 on this same bike route I have ridden on numerous occasions. For the life of me I can't believe that the Harley engineers are that much smarter than the Japanese. I have a friend with an 08 Ultra Classic and he gets 46-48 mpg on the highway.

[deathwalker]

Originally Posted by WrenchTwister

I just checked out the Voyager at my local dealer about a week ago. I am not impressed. The plastic looks and feels cheap on the bags and trunk, the saddlebags are no where near as nice as my '06 Nomad, there's no aux input for the sound system and no rear speaker package. Dealer rep had no idea when and if Kaw was gonna come up with these items. I think I'd lean more towards and ultra classic or a wing with the voyager in its present state.

Ya, this is my first Hard bag bike. The bags look nice but do have a bit of a cheap feel. A lot of flex in the bags when the lid is open. Ample room though, my helmet will fit just nicely in my bags. The way the bags are shaped though doesn't seem like the most efficient use of the cubic volume available.

[coachrgraves]

Good to hear, I have about 2300 miles on mine. Going to take a trip to Hot Springs Ark. next week, about 7 hrs. from home. Interested to see how the nomad does out on the open roads. Got the whole break-in thing done and everything seems to be working well, thought it would be time to take her out and see if she works out like I thought she would when I bought her!! I'll let you know how it it goes..

So far I'm very pleased with the 1700, very smooth ride and just begs to get on down the road.

ride safe!!!!!!!!

[deathwalker]

Originally Posted by DrNo

Mine whined too and I feel your pain. Mine would whine like a ?!@$#@$! at 47km. My dealer said the Kawi spec is 3-5mm and set mine to 8mm. No more whine at all and they are confident that the tension is still very much inline. Also the rear wheel had a small missalignment. I was, as you, embarrased to "cruise" but now it is sweet sweet sweet. Trans is a loud one to shift. I find that when I shift if I only pull in the clutch enough to relax it, the shift noise of more of a click than a clunk. The worst is the 1-2 shift. But, the bike will start out in 4th gear lol as I found out yesterday.........ooops and I didnt even have to fan the clutch that much.

Well, I am now a happy camper. Took my Nomad to the shop this morning and had it checked. The mechanic said the tension was too tight and it was out of alignment also. It now purrs like a kitten, almost no detectable noise. Not uncommon either, he said he had to adjust another just 2 days ago with the same problem. I am now back in the ranks of happy Nomad owners.

[deathwalker]

Originally Posted by coachrgraves

The thing that bothers me about the belt tension, or making it less tight, is there is a whole lot of torque at times (both ways on the belt). When your accelerating a 800 plus pound bike with wind drag and passengers or simply closing the throttle from high RPM's the torque on these belts is extreme. It is a critical component between a heavy bike and big motor.

My first instinct is to fix the noise and slack the belt. That would be the easiest solution, then I think why wouldn't kawasaki do that (no cost solution)? I know they have been making belt drives for a while, not sure what year?, maybe there are reasons why some engineer in japan wants that belt to be so tight even though so many riders detest the whine it makes. I'm gonna leave mine where it is set, I don't mind the extra music!!!

ride safe!

Coach
Took my bike into the dealer this morning and the mechanic checked it out. He said the belt was to tight and the pulley out of alignment. He re-tensioned the belt and insured it was in proper alignment, it now purrs like a kitten. No more noise. I am much happier now.

[coachrgraves]

Glad it's better, at the rate i'm going i'll have 100,000 mi. on mine in no time!!!!!!!!!!!! One thing for sure I would buy another one though, great riders aren't they!!

[DrNo]

Really is a great riding bike and very satisfying when you crank the throttle. Now a little tip. The 2008 1600 Nomad has metal chrome covers for the underside of the passenger floor boards so when they are in the up position it looks nice. I measured my buddies and they are exactly the same shape as our cheap black plastic ones. I orded a set, they are on, they are exactly the same shape and bolt pattern, they look AWESOME, and they cost me $12.60 canadian for the pair of em. Most inexpensive chrome youll ever put on that bike. And, I might add they look AWESOME!

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by deathwalker

Ride is just fine Coach. Took a little 150 mile spin on Sunday, pleasant ride at highway speeds and the cruise control is awesome. This doesn't ease my unhappiness with the terrible whine though and my gas mileage was less than impressive at 35 mpg. My 1600 classic got around 42 on this same bike route I have ridden on numerous occasions. For the life of me I can't believe that the Harley engineers are that much smarter than the Japanese. I have a friend with an 08 Ultra Classic and he gets 46-48 mpg on the highway.

I've got the 1700 LT. At first I was only getting about 35 mpg like you. Now with 4200 miles on it I'm averaging 39 mpg combined highway and city. Get 40 on the interstate at 80 mph. Slow down below 72 and she will get 42 mpg. Real pleased with the improved mileage. Bike begs to be ridden. A good bike for the long haul even in the LT model. Gotta get a good luggage rack.

[coachrgraves]

Highwayman,

I looked everywhere for a luggage rack for my nomad. Only place I could find one was "ironinthefire.com" or you can search ebay he has online store there. Anyway, he custom builds these>>>>Pictures by coachrgraves - Photobucket These are very nice racks with good fitment. $249.00 w/ shipping. (a little higher, but nicest i've had)!!

You might give it a look.
congrats on the new bike, I think Kawasaki hit a home run with this line.

[coachrgraves]

Dr.No,

Just curious where did you get the sheep skin throw?? Been looking for just the
right one and like the looks of yours. Great tip by the way, did you order these chrome plates from kawasaki?

Also, tip: you can order an O'Riley bulb: BP1210 (H4) bulb and replace the stock bulb, $9.00, place your old bulb in paper wrap and place in a zip lock bag stuck with dbl. sided duck tape to the inside of your rt. side cover as a spare. New bulb is much, much brighter than stock. Great for night trips!!!

Ride Safe.

Beautiful Bike, by the way!!!

[DrNo]

The sheep skin throw I bought locally at the Canadian Cooperative wool growers store. It is a genuine lamb skin. I then cut it to match each seat more or less and made/fastend my own elastic to hold it on and I can remove the seats still with out having to take it off. Very comfy. The running board covers are Kawasaki part number: 14091-02290. L and R are the same. Im going to look into that bulb. Thanks !

Better picture of the cover. The black area shows a bit, but if I adjust it better, it is completly hidden. I get alot of comments on it.

[silverspurs]

Originally Posted by DrNo

The sheep skin throw I bought locally at the Canadian Cooperative wool growers store. It is a genuine lamb skin. I then cut it to match each seat more or less and made/fastend my own elastic to hold it on and I can remove the seats still with out having to take it off. Very comfy. The running board covers are Kawasaki part number: 14091-02290. L and R are the same. Im going to look into that bulb. Thanks !

Better picture of the cover. The black area shows a bit, but if I adjust it better, it is completly hidden. I get alot of comments on it.

did you make those lowers?? or did you purchase them?? look very nice and I'll bet they cut the cold wind... please let us know where they came from!! thanks rick

[DrNo]

Hi Rick, I made them out of .220 acrylic and my table scroll saw. They cut the wind great. In turbulance you can feel it in the bars a bit, im going to angle them a bit more so they cut rather than push the air out of the way. Makes a HUGE difference in buffeting. Im going to try another set but with .180 which is close to the top screen thickness, that wil flex a bit and mayby will be less affected by turbulance. These worked out pretty good for my first attempt.

[silverspurs]

"Hi Rick, I made them out of .220 acrylic and my table scroll saw. They cut the wind great. In turbulance you can feel it in the bars a bit, im going to angle them a bit more so they cut rather than push the air out of the way. Makes a HUGE difference in buffeting. Im going to try another set but with .180 which is close to the top screen thickness, that wil flex a bit and mayby will be less affected by turbulance. These worked out pretty good for my first attempt."

thanks for the beta... sometimes I get called in late at night to do recoveries in the O.R. and it can get chilly... even with my memphis phats lowers... they do alright, but I am intrigued with your project...

due to this, I had considered upgrading to a voyager, but I really prefer the nomad in style... I'm going to try this on my 900, and if it works out ok, I'll upgrade to the 1700 nomad for sure (may be a while, as I havn't paid off my 900 yet!!)... probably a couple of years down the road for me, but something I've got in my sights... keep me posted on how the modifications work out...

another question for the nomad... has anyone found a drivers backrest that can work with the stock seat?? or is it not needed?? thanks rick