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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Anybody else getting the flashy headlight syndrome (FHS)? Seems a lot of the cars I meet think my high beam is on. It appears to be angled to far up. Need to possibly adjust it down a touch.
Squeaky belt Syndrome (SBS) - After about 2500 miles it seems my belt starts to squeak constantly when you get to going down the road. Anybody else notice this? I will tighten it today, just how far will this belt stretch or how long will it last? I wonder if maybe the rear nut on the wheel isn't tight enough and it keeps moving forward on me. Anybody got the specs on the nut tightness or size. I need to go get another torque wrench and that size of socket! Don't have my book with me, so any help would be appreciated. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | The adjustment of the headlight is pretty straight forward. Explains it well in the manual, biggest advantage is to have someone with small hands to get at the headlight adjustment knob. Also, when riding two up, this will pitch the light beam up, so make your adjustment accordingly. A lot of times I'll shut off the HID light at night, and yes I've gotten flashed.
I have found the belt makes more noise when it is too tight. Also, you need to have the back wheel aligned so the belt runs pretty much in the center of the pulley. If off to the side it will make a rubbing "whirling" sound. Based on how mine was set from the factory, I put about easy 1/2" to 3/4" deflection on the bottom of the belt. I know when I had to have my tire replaced a few week back, the belt got tightened too tight. When going slow or when you pull in the clutch you could hear a rubbing "whirling" sound. Loosened up the belt a little and ok now. Also, I've noticed that when up on the jack the belt is set right, when down on the ground, it seems to be more tight, don't know why.
Off the top of my head I can't remember the socket size for the axle bolt. I'm pretty sure the adjustment bolt heads are 13mm. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | My manual got a paper update seperate that shows the proper belt tension, I don't know if they have printed new manuals, but check with your dealer. Thanks for the insight on that whirly sound when I slow down. It seems that my belt is very tight, but it seemed to be adjusted properly at the dealer during the last service. I'll have to check it when it is cold, which is when the adjustment is to be done.
The problem with the light is it is very white, making it seem brighter than most on the highway. I've adjusted my down but I still get the flash and even the Revenge Highbeams (RH). Two blind idiots coming at each other doing 45mph will not solve anything. I've stood out in front my bike with the low beams and the HID and it does not seem bright, but it is very white. I've turned on the highbeams which is blinding. At night on the back road I'll ride to the far right when cars are approaching just to dampen their view. |
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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | Hey Chicken Little; the rear axle nut torque is 65 Ft/lbs. and a 27mm socket will fit. I know this because I just laid down on the cold garage floor and checked. The bad news is that there's not much space between the nut and the muffler and it mifght be a problem getting a wrench in there. |
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | I agree about an over-tightened belt making the noise.
Also, Check the alignment of the belt. Look at the rear pulley and see if the belt is centered on the pulley. If it's jammed against an edge, that may be where the squeak is coming from. To center the belt, loosen the axle nut, then tighten the appropriate belt tensioning bolt (same side as the belt is rubbing) no more than 1/2 a turn. Tighten things back up and go for a ride and check again (or do this on a lift so the rear wheel can spin). If it needs more, do the same procedure but this time loosen the opposite side tensioning bolt no more than 1/2 turn. Check again. Do this until the belt is aligned and the at the correct tension (about 1.2" deflection between pulleys).
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Thanks mudge for crawling around on the cold Garage Floor. I know I am unable to get a socket on it with out dropping the swingarm. I used a large crescent wrench last time to undo the nut. I thought I would get the right wrench this time. If I were to be guessing, Jelly (aka Jam), you are probably right about the alignment of the belt being centered. When I did it last time, I kept sliding from side to side to see how the alignment was by eyeball, primarily guessing my behind off. It makes way more sense to spin the tire to see how it centers the belt. That has probably been my problem all along. The belt seems tight enough, just SQUEAKING! I feel like I bought a great big Mouse. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | VisionTex - 2008-03-24 10:15 AM I've gotten flashed. You lucky dog! I haven't had any women do that while I'm on my Vision - probably 'cause my wife rides with me most of the time. Maybe I'll have to do Mardi Gras when I get back stateside. Now I do remember the commercial where the woman in the truck flashes the H-D rider... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 49
west bend, wi | This is just the end of the BigDog commerical that was flying around a while ago....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6avEcz4qqrg
Enjoy! :-D |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
Biddeford, Maine | Less than 2,000 miles and my belt squeals so loud I don't want to ride. Spent two hours at the dealer, they adjusted alignment and tension, no help. The dealer called tech support who said to loosen belt to 1.25 inches deflection at ten pounds and to clean the sprockets with a brass brush. Good for about 30 minutes of riding. I called the dealer back and they had no clue what to do next. I called Victory and was told that tech support was only for the dealers and they could not help me. I'm very frustrated and wish I had kept my '05 Touring Cruiser. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | skmaine, in my opinion, belt alignment is just as important as the belt tension. Make sure your dealer has a service manual on the Vision, and they know how to read! There is extensive instructions on rear wheel alignment and belt tension in the manual. This has to be done, to make it right. If they are not used to Vision belt instructions, then there maybe a problem. You know your dealer best. Also, there needs to be a check on the rear pulley to make sure it is true and does not have some sort of manufacturing problem, like being warped. I have also believe that belt squeaking is more noticable at lower temperatures, below 60 degrees f. Research the forum here and you will also find more information. Don't stop riding......make the dealer make it right. If the dealer can't do it, then call Victory and tell them the dealers can't service the bike properly. Normal deflection is ~.75". Is it a stock pulley, if it has been chromed, that maybe a problem. Hope you find the problem and enjoy your ride. Keep us informed on what you find. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Before you go adjusting the headlite to much check your rear suspension pressure. I had mine set ultra low (15psi) and was getting flashed all the time. Ran the pressure up to 30psi and no more flashing and the rides better.
As for the belt noise.... Try loosening the belt a bit more. Mine was making noise but the alignment was good, so I simply backed off the tension. I still get some minor noise when the belt is damp/wet but otherwise no noise.
Oh and smeone asked about the bike on the lift verses when it was on the ground? Weight on wheels will tighten the belt. They adjust it without weight so when they bring it back down its TOO TIGHT. Best fix I found is to use two tie downs to hold my bike upright and then lie on the floor to make the adjustments. Uncomfortable but works. If your dealer is making the adjustment tell them to place the bike weight on wheels (on their lift) while adjusting tension.
Edited by Teach 2008-06-11 8:48 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 319
| with proper tire inflation. Ive found that most visions need the headlight adjusted down. |
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Tourer
Posts: 319
| I have found even with correct tire pressure. The Vision needs the headlight adjusted down abit. I used the procedure outlined in the owners manual and quite pleased with the results. |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | I lowered my headlight once already, but I think I was a little too conservative. I think I will lower a little
more. The manual didn't help me, as I was looking for an adjustment knob about 1/5 the size of the actual
knob. Someone on this board posted pictures, and then I saw what I needed to be looking for. |
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New user
Posts: 3
| Not quite sure why there seems to be so much drama associated with the belt drive on this puppy. Belt drives have been in use by Harley for over 20 years. Go to any Harley forum and you'll see a fair amount of bitching related to a number of technical issues but not the frigging belt. How many times have you ever heard a Harley belt make noise? How many rear wheels have been removed and reinstalled by Harley owners without proper tension and alignment being performed? I'd bet tens of thousands.Years ago I had a 1984 Low Rider with belt drive and when I sold it the bike had 70,000 miles with the original belt. I have a Road King now as well and the belt is a set it and forget it item. The only time you should ever have to deal with your belt on any modern motorcycle is when you change a tire. This technology is way beyond mature so Victory engineering really needs to figure this out sooner than later. I appreacite wheel alignment is important but obvisously there are other issues at work here as well. Not trying to dump on our new bikes but we shouldn't even have to be dealing with this issue. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | LA VIC - 2008-06-12 12:01 PM Not quite sure why there seems to be so much drama associated with the belt drive on this puppy. Belt drives have been in use by Harley for over 20 years. Go to any Harley forum and you'll see a fair amount of bitching related to a number of technical issues but not the frigging belt. How many times have you ever heard a Harley belt make noise? How many rear wheels have been removed and reinstalled by Harley owners without proper tension and alignment being performed? I'd bet tens of thousands.Years ago I had a 1984 Low Rider with belt drive and when I sold it the bike had 70,000 miles with the original belt. I have a Road King now as well and the belt is a set it and forget it item. The only time you should ever have to deal with your belt on any modern motorcycle is when you change a tire. This technology is way beyond mature so Victory engineering really needs to figure this out sooner than later. I appreacite wheel alignment is important but obvisously there are other issues at work here as well. Not trying to dump on our new bikes but we shouldn't even have to be dealing with this issue. My ignorance of a belt drive led me to believe that this is a problem with all belt drives. However, the more I read I beginning to think this is Vision unique issue. Mine makes a whinning squeak at slow speeds, almost like growl. I know I can hear it, but I don't know how far the sound radiates out. It ain't cool to hear a stylish bike make such a noise. So, I'm wondering if it just the belt that is causing this, because if it is not happening on other bikes, what makes the Vision different in this regard if it isn't the material the belt is constructed of. Any one have insight on this? I would wish that Victory would answer these questions, since we believe they are reading these post. HELLO, tink, tink, CAN YOU HEAR US VICTORY. HELLO, IS ANY ONE IN THERE, tink, tink. 
Edited by varyder 2008-06-12 12:31 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Northeast Pennsylvania | The other day I thought my belt was squeaking but upon further inspection it was my top bag. I tighten the bolting attached to the inner liner (allen bolt heads) and it solved the noise problem and latches now work alot better. It may have loosened from the weight of the luggage rack...but anyway no belt problems here! My Tour Cruiser had to be adjusted around 5000 miles. Have a friend who owns a Geezer Glide and has rubbing issues with his belt drive. "Some things on most all things may always need tweeking, even on ourselves."  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | I will say, there have been some issues, but who didn't expect that there would be on a first year bike. I have bigger heartburn with defects such as the saddlebags than I do with the belt needing to be adjusted. The fact is that the dealer SHOULD be able to adjust the belt properly. I never had the squeak, but when I got my first service he said the belt had loosened up and he tightened and adjusted it. So, that makes me believe it's more the technician being able to adjust properly. Not that there couldn't be something wrong with it, but most likely the guy that worked on it may not have as many years experience working on bikes as some other dealer's tech. Fact is, when you find a bike mechanic who knows his stuff, he's usually got years of experience messing up on all the other bikes before yours. |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | Go to any forum for the Kawasaki VN2000 and do a search for belt noise, chirping. Everyone has it.
My was groining sometimes, so I loosened it. Then all I had was chirping when the engine was just
coasting and not pulling. Now after about 10,000 at that setting (yes I need to change the tire) there
are no noises. I am thinking the looser, the better? |
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Tourer
Posts: 353
| Teach - 2008-06-11 5:44 PM
They adjust it without weight so when they bring it back down its TOO TIGHT.
That's the way the Vision owners manual says it should be done, same thing in my '05 8-Ball owners manual.
This from the service manual:
Secure the motorcycle in an upright position. Shift
the transmission into NEUTRAL and be sure to
ELEVATE the rear wheel off the ground when
checking deflection or adjusting the belt. This is
extremely important for accuracy.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
Biddeford, Maine | Spent some more time with the dealer today, they ordered a new belt and both sprockets. No I don't have chromed sprockets, the dealer admits having had problems with chrome sprockets making noise. Temp. seems to have no effect, the noise is present from mid fifties to low nineties. Being wet stops the chirping. Dealer noticed an odd wear pattern on the belt and suspects a bad sprocket and/or a bad belt.
The noise is very loud, when the mechanic took it for a test ride, his boss and I could hear it nearly a 100 feet away. Annoying and embarrassing. The group I ride with (all HD) find it very amusing. Between them, they have nearly 150,000 miles with no belt problems. I'd rather have the squeal than the oil leaks, electrical problems, and bad motor mounts that they have had.
My dealer, West-Port Motor Sports, reassured me that they would do whatever it takes to fix the problem. Although frustrated, I still love the bike.
___
Cherry Tour Premium |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | skmaine, I had the problem with the belt squeaking, I had adjusted the tension at 2500 miles and that remedied the problem for the most part. I still kept getting these light squeaks, like I was on a mouse. When I got to about 5000 miles, squeak reappeared. I just laid down on my shop floor, tools in hand, and just started thinking or napping I'm not sure which. When done "thinking", it occurred to me, that possibly the guy or gal who aligned my belt just didn't get it done right from the factory. So, after consulting my service manual and a lot of head scratching, I decided to align the belt. After much confusion and large swigs of 60 proof, grabbed my tools and just done it.
Needless to say all squeaking has gone bye bye. Not even a chirp, after 5000 miles of riding, my mouse is now happy. I think the tension is a little snug, but I'll fix that later. Let us know. I would bet that is your problem though. It may have to be one of those jobs you have to do yourself.
I posted how I done it on here somewhere. If you need the link let me know and I'll go find it.
Edited by pollolittle 2008-06-15 9:58 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
Biddeford, Maine | Latest on my squeaky belt. West Port Motor Sports changed both sprockets and the drive belt. Was quiet for about fifty miles. Fed up with my dealer, I drove over an hour away to a competing Victory dealer, Maine-ly Action Sports in Oxford Maine. In and out in less than fifteen minutes, squeak solved & no charge! 3500 miles later, and it is just starting to squeak again. Must be why the Factory wants the bike serviced every 2500 miles. Never had this problem on my'05 Touring Cruiser.
I strongly recommend NOT going to West Port Motor Sports, and not for just the squeak problem. I had them install the luggage rack on the trunk, the chrome was pitted right out of the box and they said nothing. I pointed it out and they agreed to replace it. The trunk lid now squeaked and rattled, but I figured they would fix it when they replaced the pitted chrome rack. Well, they didn't, and when I mentioned it they said "It is what it is" and recommended I stuff some more gasket material between the lid and bottom. Not even remotely interested in fixing it. This is the same dealership that put over 100 psi in my rear shock with the compressor when I asked them to put it to 60-70 psi. It's taken about a month, but the rear shock no longer holds any pressure over 40 psi.
I love my bike, just wish I had bought it elsewhere. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Hampton Va | I had the same problem with the rack....I it makes the lid to heavy for the latch to pull down on tight so o put some black weather striping all around the trunk and it fixed that isue |
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Headlight adjustment & Squeaky belt
