Author |
Message |
Tootal
| Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 08:45 pm: |
|
After changing wheel bearings, tires and belt I find the belt tight as a banjo string. It sings a lousy tune at 35 mph. It actually sings all the time but gets louder at 35. Do all new belts sing or did I get a short one? I'm hoping it will stretch out soon but I cringe thinking what it must be doing to the bearings. |
Ourdee
| Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 09:18 pm: |
|
Feel your bearings after a ride to se if they are getting hot. Singing belt, belting outta tune, don't sound right. |
Electraglider_1997
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 11:11 am: |
|
Providing an OEM RSS must of just about killed Erik and his elves engineers. Too bad they just don't give in and OEM an automatically adjusting torsion wheel so that the belt never would be too tight or too loose. Like the 3 bears ...just right. Trojan sells an acceptable one. |
Froggy
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 11:44 am: |
|
Considering that every XB model dating back to 2003MY had a RSS, I doubt designing a larger and more efficient one killed anybody. Not to mention that still meets stringent EPA and other government standards, and doesn’t ruin fuel rail cooling. Could they have designed it 10 years ago instead of waiting till now? Possible, but computer technology wasn’t as good or as cheap as it is today. As for the spring loaded tension device, it looks cool; I plan on getting one and powder coating it blue, it will look bad ass. I don’t care if it does anything to belt life either way. |
Froggy
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 11:45 am: |
|
Tootal, I don't recall mine making any noise, but when I put a new one on it was tight. I have a Micron exhaust, so I doubt I would of heard it anyway. |
Hardlya
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 11:54 am: |
|
When I installed new rear wheel bearings and belt at 18k the belt was so tight it scared me. Never let it down off the jack. Once the spring loaded tensioner was installed I did a 3000 mile trip with no issues. Belt looks like new! |
Etennuly
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 11:59 am: |
|
I put a new belt on about 8,000 miles ago. It is the new part number tougher belt. It was as tight as a 'knat's ass stretched over a rain barrel', that is for sure! It made a squall noise once in a while turning under acceleration, kinda as if a tire was squealing on pavement while skidding. It quit doing it after about 3,000 miles. The bearings are still in there, with no noticeable problems. It seems like the belt is still there too. |
Prowler
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 12:56 pm: |
|
I found the spring loaded belt tensioner to be a good investment. Eliminating most worries about belt or bearing failures. (I still carry both when on long trips though......) |
Xbimmer
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 04:36 pm: |
|
Not to change the subject but: Considering that every XB model dating back to 2003MY had a RSS,... Really? My '06 didn't, only thing on that side was this little baffle, and during the hoopla a couple years ago about the aftermarket Big RSS's available even Anony chimed in with all the dissuaders about the ineffectiveness of a B-RSS. Funny, I got a look through the business end of Teeps's Comfort Kit RSS last week. Wow, same view of the rear cylinder head as I get looking into my Crins RSS. I know exactly what E-glider meant... |
Froggy
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 05:23 pm: |
|
They look the same to the untrained eye. The large RSS is a two piece system, with a smaller scoop to replace that "baffle" and direct airflow in between the cylinders. The scoop is also shaped different and has a different opening than the aftermarket scoops. Buell attempted to use a large RSS scoop years ago but couldn't design one that met all their requirements. Advancements in computer technologies allowed them to design a scoop that actually works, not just one that scoops air randomly. Also part of the solution was the different under seat tray and fan duct, again to get air to flow correctly. Even Lightning/Firebolt models have a different scoop than the Uly's for those reasons too. |
New12r
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 08:00 pm: |
|
New belts are tight, the loosen up over time. The only belts I have broke were on a dyno dropping the clutch at 5k, and missing a shift in the museum turn at barber at 85 mph. |
Xbimmer
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 11:39 pm: |
|
They look the same to the untrained eye. "Untrained eye" eh? Why I oughtta.... Froggy my brother, unless you have a bike with a Crins RSS to look at, you can't possibly understand my view. The inner wall of the Crins RSS and most likely other aftermarket scoops mimics the stock teeny Buell "scoop", allowing airflow between it and the front cylinder head to the V. How that is supposed to keep the fuel rail from vapor locking is above my pay grade since it's blistering hot air flow. The CK Inner RSS looks to do the same...
... so I guess there's other magic going on with the CK Outer RSS to command complete control over the air flow even though it points it all into the same spot as a Crins. Bottom line is Anony said a B-RSS disrupted the LSS's flow, and now they have their own. Like the new rear wheel, I'm proud that Buell can take a new look and improve. Supra-tight belts can't be good for an already wimpy non-outer-sealed 2-bearing wheel. Hopefully the new wheel will be bulletproof along with the new stronger belts. |
Tootal
| Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 11:41 am: |
|
Well, I've ridden it all week to work and she's still tight and I don't have any time to do anything with it so I'll head to Suches anyway and hopefully, as mentioned, it will stretch a little. I'm not worried about the belt breaking as much as my bearings. I keep forgetting to check them for heat. Thanks for the info, I'll keep an eye on it. |
New12r
| Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 11:52 am: |
|
If you need support in Suches I can help. I will be there and only live an hour and a half away with TONS of spare parts. |
Tootal
| Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 12:11 pm: |
|
Thanks, hopefully we can just sip a beer and talk about bikes instead of working on them! |
Thesmaz
| Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 12:17 pm: |
|
My new belt did that as well but she's loosened up with usage |
New12r
| Posted on Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 12:59 pm: |
|
Thanks, hopefully we can just sip a beer after riding our bikes instead of working on them! Fixed it for ya. |
Treadmarks
| Posted on Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 09:11 pm: |
|
I have had the Crin's RSS for almost 3 years and the inner wall looks just like the "Comfort Kit" unit pictured above. Also have Trojan's Springy Thingy and no more banjo string tight belt. It compresses easily throughout the longer Uly suspension travel and does not slip at all. |
Electraglider_1997
| Posted on Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 11:23 pm: |
|
The new XR1200 has the Buell type idler pulley . Sportsters have much bigger wheel bearings and probably don't have bearing failures. |
Tootal
| Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 05:25 pm: |
|
Last night after work I was changing oil and felt the rear wheel bearing on the belt side and it was fine. Barely warm in fact. I had just ridden 18 miles of mostly interstate so I was pretty happy with that. Not going to worry anymore, just ride that damn thing! |
Motorfish
| Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 09:11 pm: |
|
Is the XR1200 idler pulley spring loaded, or fixed? I noticed the wheel is adjustable. |
Electraglider_1997
| Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 10:25 pm: |
|
I believe it is fixed just like the ULY. Looks like it is probably the same part. |