Howling noise

[Picard68]

2014 Nomad, 11,000 miles. A howling noise in 3rd and 4th around 25-45 mph has gradually gotten worse over the last 3 to 4 thousand miles. I thought it was the transmission but am leaning more toward the belt. Anybody else have or had this problem.

Thanks

[cnc]

When does it howl? If it howls only leaned over in corners, it more than likely tire cupping. The milage seems about right if you are still on the original tires.

[recumbentbob]

Check belt tension and alignment.
What have you done to the bike in the last 3-4 thousand miles?
Like did you get a new rear tire?

A lot of Kawasaki 1700s come from the factory or dealer with the belt too tight and this causes the bevel gear in the trans to go out.

BUT like CNC said it could just be tire cupping or a worn rear tire.

[rick6375]

This may be too simple, but if my rear CommanderII when I had them on the bike would howl, more so in turns, if the air pressure dropped 5 or more pounds. Worth checking the air.

[buckey1313]

my vote is check the belt more than tires or anything else.

[Peg]

My '02 Nomad had a gradually worsening howl while cornering, especially noticeable on a smooth bitumen surface. It was the tires, MCII's towards the end of their life-span, and a new set cured it entirely.

[notmighty]

does anyone know how much "Slack" should be in the belt? I've taken my 16 back to dealer 2x's and both time I was told nope the belt is supposed to be tight. they even wnet as far as trying to say the 21" front wheel was why I was hearing the howling... I looked on youTube.com hoping to find a video but had no luck for Vulcan specific search.

[tonik]

Originally Posted by notmighty

does anyone know how much "Slack" should be in the belt? I've taken my 16 back to dealer 2x's and both time I was told nope the belt is supposed to be tight. they even wnet as far as trying to say the 21" front wheel was why I was hearing the howling... I looked on youTube.com hoping to find a video but had no luck for Vulcan specific search.

Belt it too tight, the Kaw spec is way too tight. 3/8" to 7/16" of deflection with 10 lbs of pressure. That is the Harley spec, and what all of us on the Voyager/Vaq's have been using to fix this issue.

Here is tool for the 10 lbs, you can also walk into any Harley dealer and get one if you are in a hurry. I got mine that way and it was about the same price.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Te.../dp/B009YEYLKS

[notmighty]

Originally Posted by tonik

Belt it too tight, the Kaw spec is way too tight. 3/8" to 7/16" of deflection with 10 lbs of pressure. That is the Harley spec, and what all of us on the Voyager/Vaq's have been using to fix this issue.

Here is tool for the 10 lbs, you can also walk into any Harley dealer and get one if you are in a hurry. I got mine that way and it was about the same price.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Te.../dp/B009YEYLKS

Awesime thanks so much! I'm not a huge fan of messing with the drive belt so I may see if my local harley dealer will adjust my metric belt lol.