| Author | Message | ||
     Jim2 |
I had a rattling noise up front. Noticed the front header tube shaking. The header retainer broke. No sign at all of the old gasket.  | ||
| Jim2 |
Also did a lazy man's header polish. Sadded the rust off of muffler and re-sprayed. (Message edited by Jim2 on July 04, 2016) | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Concerning Belts, I had the same problem with the factory/Gates belts. I my case they broke right across the belt between the ribs that run along the back. I consider ribs and the lack of strength in the belts the cause. Try BDL Falcon Carbon Fiber Belt brand that J&P cycle sells: http://www.jpcycles.com/product/601-828 Wife got a rock in her BDL belt and rode over 1000 miles on it. Pulled the rock out and kept going. Of course, replaced the belt when we got home. It is now the spare. | ||
| Court |
Appears, for 2008 and 2009, to be a Blast fit only. | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Morning Court: I have immense respect and gratitude to you Court, but this belt fits my S3. I have checked several distributors and they all show a 128T 1-1/8" belt. Please explain where it states this belt is for the Blast only. Robert T. | ||
| Airbozo |
Well, it does look like the seal is toast. It also looks like it will always be an issues due to the self-destructing tensioner messing the insides up. Anyone have some good cases for sale? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Morning Edv, I run my drive belt looser than the manual states, but in my experience, two and a half inches of slop in a drive belt is too much. Belt can start climbing over the front drive belt guard on the pulley. Additionally there is more "snap" at the beginning of acceleration and deceleration. This can cause the front pulley to slip and destroy the splines on the transmission output shaft. Indication of this is a squeak on acceleration and deceleration. Again from my experience. Live and learn. (Message edited by 89rs1200 on July 05, 2016) | ||
| Ralph |
Airbozo, shoot me an email bighairyralph"at"hot maildotcom | ||
| Edv |
Hello 89RS1200 The belt that just broke was a Falcon Carbon Belt.How I adjust the belt is I remove the bolt from the shock and when the swing arm is parallel and the belt is at its tightest point I set this adjustment at 3/8" deflection and when the shock is reinstalled and the bike is sitting on the side stand I have the 2.5" of slack. This is the only way I can see to adjust the belt so it does not go too tight upon hitting a large bump. I went back to a S&S Gates belt this time so we will see how this goes Thank you for your input | ||
| Jim2 |
Have you inspected your rear sprocket? When the coating wears thin it will start to flake thin shards of whatever the coating is and they will destroy the belt. It sounds like you are adjusting it right although I'm not sure you need the extra 3/8" deflection you are adding in. If you pull the shock bolt and line up the axle with the swing arm pivot and with the front drive pulley that is the tightest it will ever get so no need for the added 3/8". Also is it possible you are using a harmful cleaning product or solvent that is getting on the belt? | ||
| Edv |
Jim2, The pulleys were replaced at 66,000 miles as they were worn at that point when the last belt broke and at this point there are no flaking of the rear pulley. I use S100 cleaner and rinse it thoroughly as it is a mild acidic but I do not think this should effect the belt as many of our customers use the product with no ill effects in fact we change most dresser belts at 80-90,000 miles and I am sure they would go more. I have just resigned myself to change the belts at the two year mark no matter the mileage just to be safe. I put a chain and sprockets on my S1 for the same reason but on the S2 this is my touring bike and I like the lack of on the road maintenance. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Last night I adjusted the belt to scary loose. I can almost touch the swingarm with it. Is that correct? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Morning Wolfridgerider, If you are riding a tuber, such as the S3, the service manual states; "belt deflection should be 7/8" to 1" deflection" when 10lb of force is applied, pushing up, mid way between the pulleys. I run 1.5" to keep the belt becoming way tight during its movement. Any more is not good! Can cause pulley or belt damage. Too loose and the belt can actually climb up the pulley guard. Also, see my above post. Also important is to get the pulleys in line. Check this by rolling forward 10'- 15'. Check the belt does not roll off the front pulley towards the motor which indicates the back pulley is facing too much to the left. Then roll back 10' - 15' and check again. Manual states to use a micrometer to measure the back of the axle nut to the rear of the swing arm, on both sides. Should be the same length. * Correction: I run 1.5" NOT 2". Discovered 2" is too loose. (Message edited by 89rs1200 on July 08, 2016) | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Thanks for the info. I will double check it. I'm hoping to ride it to Buells in the Alps at the end of the month. Its a 16 year old bike with less than 3000 miles on the clock, that concerns me. | ||
| 89rs1200 |
* Correction: I run 1.5" NOT 2". Discovered 2" is too loose | ||
| Jim2 |
See belt adjustment picture (scroll to last pic): http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=47623&post=2164953#POST2164953 | ||
| Two_seasons |
Found air box wellnuts and plastic washers for the bodywork. | ||
| Edv |
Readjusted the belt to 89rs1200 suggested settings and went for a 120 mile ride,much less knotchy now when rolling on and off of the throttle.thank you for the suggestions | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Just got back from taking the '98 S3T on a trip around Ontario, Canada. Just over 1600 miles of Beautiful scenery. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Rode it to a Basic Rider Course I was teaching this past weekend. The ride was pretty nice in the morning. But the heat wave ride home about baked my right leg I am ready for some COOLER temps! | ||
| Wileecoyote |
Wolf, Glad to see your still teaching. Hope all is well. | ||
| Ebutch |
Bought a new H-D battery for S2 today $147 and 4 yrs ago same batt. cost $87 Thanks obama.  | ||
| Edv |
Installed anti rattle spring on the front caliper today and what a difference in loss of noise, nice. | ||
| Lakes |
Ebutch we pay more than $147us for genuine H-D battery here in Australia & have been doing so for years. but that is a big increase for sure, sounds like tax's went up a lot there | ||
| Charger22 |
Mikuni hsr installed. But now need to get it to a shop as I think my crank seal just went. I had left the bike idling for 10 min after install was complete and went to go for a test ride. Lucky me found a Puddle of oil under the bike, so I popped the seat and it was spitting from the primary vent. One step forward 10 back. (Message edited by Charger22 on July 30, 2016) | ||
| Ebutch |
Yes it does point to the seal.Ales trying to save them.  (Message edited by ebutch on July 31, 2016) | ||
| Jolly |
Charger 22- Crank seal is not too terribly difficult to replace,,, removal sucks and can really be a painstaking effort... Right up until you decide to drill two small holes 180 out from each other (DONT drill too deep, drill slow, "feel" the bit cutting and stop just as it breaks through) thread two small machine screws in and pull the seal that way. Install is much easier!! If you can't find the tool to install I'll loan you mine. While you're "in there" you could upgrade the rotor to the new style and maybe even replace stator so you have a brand new charging system and put your old original into bench stock... | ||
| Charger22 |
Thanks for the offer Jolly but I think I am going to let the shop handle this one. Have a ride planned in a few weeks and my schedule is booked up. Will look into having them do the rotor and stator per you recommendation. | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Rode the 120 miles of Utah Highway 12 and into Bryce Canyon. Also Highway 143 & 148 past Ceder Breaks National Monument. What a sight to see. What a ride. Checked that off the bucket list. Seldom can one see so many Triumph, Norton, MotoGuzi, Buell, Kawasaki and other sport bikes in one place. Motors from the 1960's to present. (Message edited by 89rs1200 on July 31, 2016) | ||
| Brentx1 |
Put the S1's in the local Sycamore Car and Bike show today.  |
