Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi

I have a 1989 Kawasaki 454 LTD that I just got. The problem is that the belt will make noise occasionally, well, more than occasionally.

Any time it is pushed backwards it makes a "rubbing" noise
Any time I have a passenger on it makes it more
Any time I want a quiet relaxing ride w/o having to worry about a problem, it makes it

So I really don't know why it's doing this, but the guy I bought it fron got in a 60 mph accident on it. Most of the damage that I could tell on it was aesthetic (all 4 turn signals, 1/4" of aluminum off from the clutch lever/perch, etc.)

This kid slid for about 200 feet, I saw the road rash to prove it.

I was thinking that maybe the wheel was bent, but I put it on the centerstand and spun it and it looked like it was running true.

I also think that I see a spot on the side of the belt where it's been rubbing somewhere. I took off the cover for the belt pulley and didn't see anything, so I'm still lost.

I see a lot about this on different bikes, so I'm really hoping someone here can help...
I'm going to look for alignment in the morning so I'll see if I can see anything, so does anybody have any hints on knowing whether or not its aligned? or any links?

thanks in advance
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Schizophrenia Forum

I'm interested as well. DHs Vulcan 400 is squeaky noisey, especially when its wet.

Sounds to me like the rear wheel isn't square in the swingarm, or the swingarm is tweaked. You can check for trueness with two fluorescent tubes.
Hold the bike up straight and place the tubes along side the rear tire. Your front tire should be centered between the tubes.

Johnj wrote:Sounds to me like the rear wheel isn't square in the swingarm, or the swingarm is tweaked. You can check for trueness with two fluorescent tubes.
Hold the bike up straight and place the tubes along side the rear tire. Your front tire should be centered between the tubes.

yeah it could be that, but do you have a friction belt or a tooth belt? Usually the squeak is caused by the belt rubbing against the inside or outside of the pulley. First re-align your rear tire, or try washing your belt with water and a little bit of soap, then rinse it off good. If you have a tooth belt and nothing stops the squeak, try dry silicone spray, made by Krylon. Than quiets any belt. (toothed)

By the time he figures out how inaccurate that is, he would've known just by looking at it.

good luck

Either the belt is too tight, or as mentioned above the wheel isn't square to the front sprocket. There are two reasons for that, one side isn't adjusted the same as the other. Or the swingarm is bent.

All right. It's a tooth belt and I'm going out to check the alignment as best I can.
Someone mentioned a dry silicon spray to reduce noise. I have some of that as long as the alignment is good, but are we sure that the spray won't damage the belt? And what the difference between "dry" silicone spray and "wet" silicone spray?? That's new to me.

I'll keep you posted...
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Self-funded health care Forum

all right
I spin the wheel and it looks like it is spinning perfectly true
The pulley looks like its true too.
I notice that the noise seems to be coming from the engine pulley, but i took off the pulley cover and can see NO problem. not even dirt.

Does anybody know how i can adjust the rear wheel alignment because i dont see any screws or anything...im just lost.
and are we sure the silicone spray won't damage the belt (see last post)
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Cyprus Forum

sorry, evan has been gone. i talked to him on the phone today, and he said to make sure that your belt is not dried out also. You can use non-residual dry silicone spray but he says check the can, because it should say what it can and can't be used for. Silicone dressing will not damage silicone rubber, but he isn't completly sure about using it on all-natural rubber. I think he said something about it being "food grade"? I don't know what thats about.

I jacked this from the internet cuz i forgot to ask him about that. oops.

*DRY* Silicone Spray leaves a non-staining, dry, pure silicone film that lubricates moving parts, which helps prevent production line jamming, reducing friction and wear.

*WET* This wet, penetrating-type silicone spray forms a flexible protective shield on metal and rubber. Wet Silicone Spray seals small openings with a silicone film to prevent moisture penetration and corrosion. A silicone and oil blend formulated for exceptional loosening and lubrication is deposited to end annoying squeaks caused by binding of doors, hoods, trunk hinges and window tracking. Emergency brakes, power windows, locks, seat tracks and handles are kept in smooth operating condition.

he will be here tommorow... which is today , at 6:00am, so i'll tell him to answer, which will be later in the day. bleh

i need to be asleep, happy christmas
~sleepy shelly

Pretty much covered it.
Make sure it dosen't contain chlorinated solvents that deteriorate drive belts. (important)
And also Meets FDA regulation for incidental food contact. (semi-important)
Follow this and it will not damage any belt.
LPS belt dressing is the best.
Use a very light amount.

what kind of spray do you have anyway??

I found the problem!

I took off the cover for the engine pulley again and looking at it more carefully i was able to see that in one place something had been rubbing
it turns out the belt was too loose and allowing the belt to rub againt the bottom of the cover at some point
The belt wasn't really loose or anything, and i only tightened each bolt one full turn...but the nosie is gone!
I'm still going to put LPS dressing on the belt b/c it is old

Thanks guys...silence is bliss
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grapefruit rx