** Belt Noise **

sakirider · 12-06-2009, 12:18 AM

I ride a 09 Nomad, and I have been experiencing a lot of noise from the belt area. I think it is primarily from the front pulley area.

I took it to my local dealer in Ahwatukee (AZ) and they loosened the tension on the belt. That adjustment merely changed the belt from lower RPMs to about 40 to 50 MPH.

They worked on it again and installed a new belt. They inspected the pulleys and everything was okay. There was also no problem with the engine alignment.

After all this effort, the problem still persists. It is still noisy, it is embarrassing having people walking on the sidewalk look back.

The stealership called Kawasucki and they believe it is gear noise. I think not. Other makes don't make noise, just noisy pipes. I wonder why it is so difficult for Kawasucki to get installing a good belt drive correctly. I hate bring the bike back to the deal because now they are on my time, my time is valuable.

Anyone have a solution, besides selling the bike?

Jinx · 11-18-2013, 01:17 PM

I have a question unrelated to the noise.
My 1700 2011 Voyager is the fist bike I have owned with belt drive.
I live on a rural acreage with about 6 k of gravel.
Is there a concern that loose gravel kicking up from the front tire can do any damage to the belt drive?

TX

Jinx from a wintery Manitoba

**buckey1313** · 11-18-2013, 01:51 PM

Yes it can happen but no more than a rock kicking up and damaging a chain drive also which could happen. They have allot of tolerance to them and are very durable really and this has caused very few problems by a small rock being kicked up by what I have read on other forums. It can happen but not very likely.

blowndodge · 11-18-2013, 02:57 PM

I saw Norm jogging one day and his belt was making tons of noise!

**cnc** · 11-21-2013, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

I saw Norm jogging one day and his belt was making tons of noise!

You got good eye sight Brad. That's what 3000 + miles?

Jinx · 11-20-2013, 02:00 PM

Thanks much for that. Puts my mind at ease.

redjay · 11-20-2013, 06:43 PM

I have a 2010 Voyager. The only time I hear any noise from the belt is when it is too tight.

R_W_B · 11-20-2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gv550

. . . . . . . . . .
Now that I have the belt running in the centre of my front pulley, I can set the tension to 3.5 mm and there is no noise.
. . . . . . .

Wow that's amazing, if my calcs are correct that's only bout 1/8". I could never understand why Kawa manuals give such a tight spec on their belts. These belts are made out of the same stuff (and probably come from the same source) as the belts on other bikes that have manual specs of 1/2" tension.

I adjust mine the same as I did my previous Harley, which is close to 5/8" with a tension gauge pressure. And it still feels plenty snug when you grab it with your hand. It's not slapping around loose by any means. I was told by a belt tech years ago that it was better to err too loose than too tight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

I have a 2010 Voyager. The only time I hear any noise from the belt is when it is too tight.

I don't notice any undue noise on mine either since I loosened it (about 3 days after I bought it). But admittedly some bikes have special issues and motor mounts do sometimes come mucked up on all brands. Thankfully mine did not have the issues that gv550 or sakirider had.

**Top Cat** · 11-20-2013, 10:19 PM

I like my SHAFT DRIVE 2008 Nomad more every time I read threads like this.
Even if the thread was started years ago

redjay · 11-21-2013, 06:30 AM

Shaft drive has its problems too. Bevel gear failure, universal joint failure and pinion seal leaks.

**Top Cat** · 11-21-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

Shaft drive has its problems too. Bevel gear failure, universal joint failure and pinion seal leaks.

Really? My 2007 that I bought new and sold this spring with 89,000 miles on it never had a problem.
The only thing done as far as maintenance on the drive line was grease the swing arm at 35,000 miles.
Seems pretty reliable and quiet to me.

redjay · 11-21-2013, 07:30 PM

TC. The issues with the shaft drive on the Nomads are well documented. Even though you have not had issues with them quite a few have. Not everyone has had issues with the belt drive on the 1700's.

Kevinhyland · 11-22-2013, 02:10 PM

I had this issue on my 11 Vaquero, it just turned out to be belt tension, after being set to factory specs, no noise, maybe try having them reset the belt tension 1 more time.

12-06-2009, 12:18 AM	#1
sakirider Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 22	Belt Noise I ride a 09 Nomad, and I have been experiencing a lot of noise from the belt area. I think it is primarily from the front pulley area. I took it to my local dealer in Ahwatukee (AZ) and they loosened the tension on the belt. That adjustment merely changed the belt from lower RPMs to about 40 to 50 MPH. They worked on it again and installed a new belt. They inspected the pulleys and everything was okay. There was also no problem with the engine alignment. After all this effort, the problem still persists. It is still noisy, it is embarrassing having people walking on the sidewalk look back. The stealership called Kawasucki and they believe it is gear noise. I think not. Other makes don't make noise, just noisy pipes. I wonder why it is so difficult for Kawasucki to get installing a good belt drive correctly. I hate bring the bike back to the deal because now they are on my time, my time is valuable. Anyone have a solution, besides selling the bike? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-18-2013, 01:51 PM	#3
buckey1313 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Westlock, Alberta Posts: 442	Yes it can happen but no more than a rock kicking up and damaging a chain drive also which could happen. They have allot of tolerance to them and are very durable really and this has caused very few problems by a small rock being kicked up by what I have read on other forums. It can happen but not very likely. __________________ Dave Leyh Edmonton, Alberta 2009 Kawasaki 1700 Vulcan Nomad
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11-18-2013, 02:57 PM	#4
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	I saw Norm jogging one day and his belt was making tons of noise! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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11-20-2013, 10:19 PM	#9
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	I like my SHAFT DRIVE 2008 Nomad more every time I read threads like this. Even if the thread was started years ago __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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11-21-2013, 07:30 PM	#12
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	TC. The issues with the shaft drive on the Nomads are well documented. Even though you have not had issues with them quite a few have. Not everyone has had issues with the belt drive on the 1700's. Last edited by redjay; 11-22-2013 at 04:16 PM.
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11-18-2013, 01:17 PM	#2
Jinx Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Rural Acreage Minnedosa Manitoba Canada Posts: 27	I have a question unrelated to the noise. My 1700 2011 Voyager is the fist bike I have owned with belt drive. I live on a rural acreage with about 6 k of gravel. Is there a concern that loose gravel kicking up from the front tire can do any damage to the belt drive? TX Jinx from a wintery Manitoba
	0

11-20-2013, 02:00 PM	#6
Jinx Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Rural Acreage Minnedosa Manitoba Canada Posts: 27	Thanks much for that. Puts my mind at ease.
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11-20-2013, 06:43 PM	#7
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	I have a 2010 Voyager. The only time I hear any noise from the belt is when it is too tight.
	0

11-21-2013, 06:30 AM	#10
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	Shaft drive has its problems too. Bevel gear failure, universal joint failure and pinion seal leaks.
	0

11-22-2013, 02:10 PM	#13
Kevinhyland Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 158	I had this issue on my 11 Vaquero, it just turned out to be belt tension, after being set to factory specs, no noise, maybe try having them reset the belt tension 1 more time. __________________ VBA Member 02305 2011 Kawasaki Vaquero, Black Cobra Tri Ovals Exhaust Cobra Power Pro K&N High Intake Air Filter EOM 15 Inch Windshield EOM Aux Driving Lights EOM iPod Kit, iPod Touch Mustang Wide Touring Studded Seat Castrol Full Synthetic Racing Oil Kuryakyn Black Iso Grips Kuryakyn Stiletto Grip Ends Kuryakyn Offset Highway Pegs Kuryakyn Black Scythe Mirrors Michelin Commander II Tires
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