Why I like my shaft drive - Page 2

landman · 03-16-2011, 04:11 PM

i heard the same complaint on the first year kawasaki 1700's.also noticed that the new vaquero comes with a narrower belt to avoid this issue.

**ringadingh** · 03-16-2011, 07:08 PM

If I had a belt drive that was chirping or making some noises Id take it back to get checked for alignment or tension. If setup properly they shouldn't make any noise that is noticable over the exhaust and transmission.

snarleybill08 · 03-18-2011, 08:33 AM

i have a 1300 v-star with a belt drive. when i did the first tire change i got the loud whine or chirp when coming to a stop. the belt was a little to tight. i never had to adjust the belt in the first 14,000 miles. the belts are pretty much maintenance free. i have nothing against shaft drive, but i would rather have the belt on my nomad. the belt drive is simpler, lighter, more maintenance free, has less frictional drag, and cheaper and easier to repair. they are very critical on the adjustment. alignment and tension is critical. once set right you can forget the belt for many miles. usually adjustment is only needed at tire changes.

ponch · 03-18-2011, 09:09 AM

there is one area or place a belt drive doesn't word so well: Where there's gravel roads etc. pebbles and such will wreak havoc with a belt drive pulleys.

**Jared** · 03-18-2011, 10:44 AM

I have owned belt drive. If they were chirping it is a sign that they were too tight. Mine chirped when it was new and tightened by the dealer. It shouldn't chirp if tightened correctly.

Have you serviced you shaft drive yet? I have done it twice now. It's not a massive job, but it's a lot more than the belt will ever require. Most the best are rated to be replace at 50K miles and some at 80K miles.

IMO, belts are cheaper, lighter, much more efficient, and less work to maintain. I wish I could find a conversion kit for the Nomad.

03-16-2011, 04:11 PM	#16
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	Why I like my shaft drive i heard the same complaint on the first year kawasaki 1700's.also noticed that the new vaquero comes with a narrower belt to avoid this issue. __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-16-2011, 07:08 PM	#17
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Why I like my shaft drive If I had a belt drive that was chirping or making some noises Id take it back to get checked for alignment or tension. If setup properly they shouldn't make any noise that is noticable over the exhaust and transmission. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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03-18-2011, 08:33 AM	#18
snarleybill08 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 273	Why I like my shaft drive i have a 1300 v-star with a belt drive. when i did the first tire change i got the loud whine or chirp when coming to a stop. the belt was a little to tight. i never had to adjust the belt in the first 14,000 miles. the belts are pretty much maintenance free. i have nothing against shaft drive, but i would rather have the belt on my nomad. the belt drive is simpler, lighter, more maintenance free, has less frictional drag, and cheaper and easier to repair. they are very critical on the adjustment. alignment and tension is critical. once set right you can forget the belt for many miles. usually adjustment is only needed at tire changes.
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03-18-2011, 09:09 AM	#19
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	Why I like my shaft drive there is one area or place a belt drive doesn't word so well: Where there's gravel roads etc. pebbles and such will wreak havoc with a belt drive pulleys. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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03-18-2011, 10:44 AM	#20
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Why I like my shaft drive I have owned belt drive. If they were chirping it is a sign that they were too tight. Mine chirped when it was new and tightened by the dealer. It shouldn't chirp if tightened correctly. Have you serviced you shaft drive yet? I have done it twice now. It's not a massive job, but it's a lot more than the belt will ever require. Most the best are rated to be replace at 50K miles and some at 80K miles. IMO, belts are cheaper, lighter, much more efficient, and less work to maintain. I wish I could find a conversion kit for the Nomad. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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