New owner of 07 Vulcan 2000 Classic

[Texasut_cowboy]

I recently bought a 2007 vulcan Classic 2000. I have about 1100 miles on it and have had the first service done. I owned the bike for about three months. My question is this I have taken the bike into the dealer three seperate times for a noise coming off the bike at cruising speeds. The noise is noticed at lower and higher cruising speeds. I notice it is the loudest between the speeds of 60-80 mph. The noise sounds like a chirping sound. Today the dealer finally heard the noise and said he believes it something in the primary drive. Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you fix it. I would appreciate any input..

[1400pilot]

drive belt is to tight. have them adjust it to the proper specs.

[cruznut6]

1400 Pilot is right!

I bought my "new" '06, V2K LT a month ago and had the same problem. After researching a few other forums about the V2K, it's a common problem. It appears the factory specs. are way too tight. When I took mine back, the manager didn't even know about this, so I instructed him to back-off on the tension. He agree to set the belt to the minimum spec and guess what, the squeal is gone! Just one other note: the gears on the V2K will produce some noise, but not much. Now I can ride at any speed without that chirping!

[vn2kbob]

Some 'chirping' has been know to come from the injector pulses as well. If that same noise is there after proper belt tension AND alignment, it's likely coming from them. They tend to get a little 'chirpy' when just slightly adding more throttle to what ever constant speed you are running at. I can hear mine in 3rd, 4th and 5th at times.

[gdhugh]

Well doccumented (on this sight) chirping from the over tight belt. It's very easy to loosen witha little mechanical ability, and a few tools including a jack of some sort.

[Texasut_cowboy]

Hey guys I really appreciate the comments.. The service manager is saying he thinks the sound is coming from an other source and not the belt.. I don't know but I wish they would get it straight, so I could get my bike back and get back on the road.. Anyway I apprecaite all the input..

[ImpactG]

It sounds like it's coming from somewhere else... always does... but it's the belt.

[mcneese5]

Good luck with that chirping sound, im sure the people on here have given you great advice. Welcome to the forum.

[Texasut_cowboy]

Okay,

I have a problem and I am hoping someone out there can help me. I took my VN 2000 Classic into the shop due to a very loud annoying chirping sound that is emitting from the bike during lower and higher speeds. I have become very distressed with Kawasaki over this issue. The bike was checked out at the shop for about a week and a half before the shop called me and told me to come pick it up. I picked it up and began driving home, at which time the sound was still there. I took the bike back to the shop and told them the problem still exist. One of the techs took his bike out on the highway next to mine to see if he could hear the sound while he was riding near me. Now keep in mind his bike was at least twenty feet or more away from mine at all times and he was wearing a full-face helmet. When we got back to the shop the tech told me he could hear the loud squealing or chirping sound coming from my bike as I was riding. The tech took my bike out by himself and returned a short time later saying he heard the same sound at lower speeds and higher speeds. The same tech told me that he was going to take a brand new 08 VN2000 Classic off the floor and drive it to see if it was a normal sound. After a short time the tech returned with a new bike and said the bike had no sounds similar to mine while he was riding it and the sound from my bike wasn't a normal sound. I left the bike at the shop to be worked on. Before I left the shop I saw several techs put my bike up on a lift in the shop and start it to listen for the sound. I could hear the high pitch chirping sound through the shop doors with them closed as they increased the speeds. After a while another Tech came into the waiting area and told me he didn't think the sound was coming from the belt. He stated he thought the sound was internal and was coming from the primary drive. The tech told me to leave the bike at the shop so he could try to work on it, and I did. I kept in contact with the shop and spoek to the lead tech a couple times. teh tech told me that Kawasaki kept tellingt the shop it was a problem with the belt that caused the noise and also said my placing a windshiel on the bike amplified this noise. The bike was at the shop for about another week or two when I received the final call from the lead tech telling me that Kawasaki wouldn't approve the shop to do anything else to the bike except the belt. He said Kawasaki gave them a list of instructions to quiet the belt. He again said he didn't believe the problem was coming from the belt, but did everything Kawasaki suggested and the problem was still there. I told him I had a problem with the bike making a loud squealing noise like this when I just purchased it about ninety days earlier. he stated Kawasaki would not authorize the shop to do any other work to the bike and was insistant the problem was with the belt. He stated there was an article Kawasaki put out about belt noise and in the same article there was a small blurb where they touched on sounds coming from the straight gears. he stated kawasaki didn't highlight any of the issues with the sound from the straight gears, but they did mention it. he said he thought my issue was one with the straight gears. He stated Kawasaki hasn't said much about this problem and continues to blame the belt issue for the sounds. He suggested I call customer relations to file a formal complaint to see if Kawasaki would do anything. He stated I would most likely get the run around, but it was a necessary thing for me to do. I called Customer relations and in fact did get the run around. I was told by a very unprofessional rep that the issue was in deed the belt and nothing could be done except cleaning and placing some sort of spray on the belt to quiet it. The rep told me that I bought the bike with the belt and the issue was my problem not Kawasaki's. I explained to the rep I just purchased the bike within less then ninety days and there was no reason why I should be having these sort of problems with a new bike. The rep again told me it was my problem. I told the rep the tech said the problem with the sound sounded to him like it was internal and may be a problem with the primary drive. He told me that the shop could open the engine on the bike with my approval, but if nothing was found to be wrong that was a warranty issue I would be held responsible for paying the cost of the bill. i tried to explain to the rep I am a customer not a tech and I rely on the information the techs provide to me, so in retrospect I didn't understand how if I relied on the information a professional tech was givin me, I would have to be the one who decided if the bike needed to be checked internally. Needless to say I called the tech back and eventually went to the shop and picked my bike up. I rode the bike home sixty miles and it was still making the same god awful squealing sound. The sound wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't so damn loud and people around me could hear it. I would appreciate anyones input because I have a hard time paying for a fourteen thousand dollar bike and being told I have to accept this flaw in the bike. I should have kept my Suzuki M109 instead of trading it for this bike. I am very displeased with the service Kawasaki has exhibited and I want to do something about it so someone else doesn't have to have these same issues. Everyone wants to go out riding with friends and you don't want that to be spoiled by a loud *** squealing or chirping sound from your bike as your riding down the road. I have parked the bike and haven't riden it since I brough it home. I want to but the sound is unbelieveably loud and embarrassing.

I know I have rambled on but I am hoping someone else may have had the same issues and can give me some advise as to waht I need to do from here, because Kawasaki isn't helping..

[wscuellar]

Everyone else has had this problem it is the final drive belt! I did the wd40 on the rear pulley and belt thing and it stops for a while,but you have to spray and move the bike and spray some more .
good luck

[BigJohn]

WS - take a close look at your rear pulley. I've noticed that the belts are riding on the outside of the pulley and is rubbing on the inside of the flange. I have heard that some people are getting relief by adjusting the RIGHT side forward by two to six flats of the adjuster. In theory, that will move the belt off of the pulley flange and stop the chirping.

Make any adjustments in small increments.

[wscuellar]

bigjohn
I did loosen and realinged the belt with right side in 2 marks and the big noise is gone.I did know the belt was rubbing but I didnt make the time to fix it untill now. glad i finally did!
thanks
Wscuellar

[Jambolaya]

It's hard to believe that your dealer isn't taking ownership of this simple problem. Did you and he have a personality clash?

There aer two problems that everyone has and your dealer should have the brains to fix them. THe chirping sound is the drive belt needing adjustment or the pulley needing to be changed under re-call.
The second problem noise is a clanking. But it comes from the headlight bezel on the regular VN2000. I don't know if the classic has the issue or not. It's easily fixed by a mechanic.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by wscuellar

bigjohn
I did loosen and realinged the belt with right side in 2 marks and the big noise is gone.I did know the belt was rubbing but I didnt make the time to fix it untill now. glad i finally did!
thanks
Wscuellar

That's good news. Usually, it's a simple fix.

Unfortunaly, I don't know if Tex ever got satisfaction or not.

[wing94nut]

Hey cowboy,
I have the same problem and got the same run around. I was told I would have to live with it. I did as you have and posted a plea for help. One response was from a guy who took the Mfg. to small claims court. Last I heard it got fixed at their cost. I also spoke with a tech just this morning and he said they took the belt off, scuffed it with sand paper on the left side and then lubed it with soap. I, myself have been known to put a dab of gear lube on my finger and rub it around the left side as well. This seems to work for about a 1000mi. then has to be done again. I won't be buying another of Kawasakis' screw ups again.

[wing94nut]

Is there a recall on the pulley or were you just throwing that out there?

[monster04]

Had same noise on my bike also when i got it. Had oil change done & a tech take a quick look, he adjusted belt, no noise.

[Vulcan900]

Harley makes some lube for primary drive belts that will quiet the V2K's belt. Also aftermarket pulleys will fix the issue permanently. I tried the idea of adjusting one side to get the belt off of the pulley, and I do not suggest it. A tire that is not in line with the rest of the bike will wear faster and may cause the bike to "float" to one side under hard braking.

[ninjaDUDE24]

By chance can you claim lemon law on a bike in your state?

[RFG]

Originally Posted by Texasut_cowboy

I recently bought a 2007 vulcan Classic 2000. I have about 1100 miles on it and have had the first service done. I owned the bike for about three months. My question is this I have taken the bike into the dealer three seperate times for a noise coming off the bike at cruising speeds. The noise is noticed at lower and higher cruising speeds. I notice it is the loudest between the speeds of 60-80 mph. The noise sounds like a chirping sound. Today the dealer finally heard the noise and said he believes it something in the primary drive. Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you fix it. I would appreciate any input..

Texasut_Cowboy: I have the same problem, 2007 2000 Classic LT. Have talked to Kawasaki shop over 5 times the pass 2 years and no one will help, saying they can't hear anything wrong. My chirps as going up hilles mostly, but have them in all gears usually more so with little incline. Just came back from long 3 days trip and it sounded embarassing. However, when I pull in the clutch while it is chirping, it stops....Maybe that will help. If you find anything or info I can use plese email. Too later for any recourse or lemon law. My bike runs great except that.