OK...I'm under the impression that something is slighty wrong with my belt and converter system. With the mods that I have the 650 doesn't seem to be as responsive as it was before, only 175 miles ago. I have a new belt (150 miles on it), the Holeshot module, no shims and the EPI black spring. There is still quite a bit of deflection and there is about 1/2" of play when you push the face of the primary clutch in towards the motor (not sure if this is normal or not). I know it doesn't feel as snappy as before, I just feel like I'm not running at optimum performance, and I'm sure it has to do with the belt and/or clutch.

My 650 w/ 1200 miles: Nyroc exhaust mod, twin air filter, Dynojet 132/136, Holeshot mod, new belt, EPI black spring, no shims, Diamond G Snorkle, and 26" Mudrunners.

Buddies 650 w/ 780 miles: HMF slip-on exhaust, twin air filter, dynojet 132/136, no holeshot, stock belt, stock secondary spring, stock shims, Diamond G snorkle, and 26" 589 M/S.

Take off is almost dead even (I may edge out a 1/2 quad length at most) then after about 30 mph he pulls ahead where I stay behind about 1/2-1 quad length. I figured it was the HMF that gave him the extra touch, but he has heavier 589's and no holeshot or belt adjustments and we ride the same trails together all the time. Also when I first installed the holeshot I could crank a wheelie in high very easily, it seems now I have to work on it a bit. I'm thinking it is definately something with the converter.

I'm going to take it apart and see what it could be. What should I check out while I have it apart? How do you know if the driven pulley bushing is bad? Is the play in the primary clutch normal? I'm attributing it all to the clutch and belt because the bike runs like a top otherwise, and HMF or no HMF I should be walking away from my buddy (at least at take off).

As always, all info and help is always greatly appreciated.

Parker

 

Your belt is loose. That makes them more sluggish. It may be worn out too since it has been used loose.

The takeoff gear ratio with a loose belt is higher, wastes energy, and you don't launch like you should.



I thought you were going to create some more cool videos? I may have forgotten, but didn't you send me some videos?

 

Yeah Nyroc...I sent you those vids and I was supposed to take some more, but it's been a crazy *** summer. I got married 2 weeks ago and have spent most of the summer running around like a lunatic preparing for my wedding and going to 6 other of my good friends weddings. I've only gotten out about 4 weekends this year...they were awesome, but I didn't bring the camera with me. I even have the progressive suspension sitting in my garage for over 2 months b/c I haven't had time to install it. I'll hook it up soon though...

If the belt is that loose with no shims, the black spring and the belt only having 150 miles on it, how can you tighten it? I am concious of the belt wear when going slow over technical trails in high range, so I always use low when going 15 mph or less and in real bumpy/slow trails. I just don't know where else I can go from here. Anyone have any suggestions?

C'mon unlimiter....I'm going to get the HMF as well. When I'm done with these mods, I want to be sure the belt and converter are tuned correctly...and I'm also going to bring the video camera when I blow by my buddies. But this belt thing is killing me!!!

Parker

 

Well, maybe the belt is tight and there something else wrong. You should actually be able to push the drive pully in a little. I thought 1/2 was too much. Did you check the deflection?

Is your filter dirty? Does your bud have a 2003? If so, you need to get an 03 airbox.

You could try a 700 belt if you cant adjust the belt anymore. Tthey are about $64? at tracys world of cycles.

 

Try cleaning your primary really good (the rollers and such).

Do pull the belt off first. Meaning don't get any cleaners on it.

Good luck.

 

Have you checked the bushings in your secondary, that what my symptoms were, before I replaced mine ... the '02 models are the most likely to have this problem ( Kawasaki changed the secondary in '03 )...WAM

 

How can you tell if the bushings in the secondary are bad? Where are they?

Nyroc: Deflection is at least 1 1/8" if not 1 1/4", it's real loose...I think.

 

PARKER650... if there is any wobble to the movable secondary sheave, it is bad ... it should only have in & out movement, & no wobble... the belt deflection is difficult to set, you wont get repeatable results if you drive it 5 minutes & recheck it

 

Measure that belt. somethins wrong. Whle you are there, try to wiggle the inner sheave of the seconday pulley like neewbeetle suggests. Give it a good shove, since there is spring tension. If it is bad you can either replace it with an 03 pulley, or get a bushing machined from oil lite. The later pulleys supercede the earlier ones, according to parts diagrams on buykawasaki.com

 

Parker650,
Just for the heck of it before you go way of on a tangent try something that could be very simple. Exchange tires with your buddy I havd found that rolling resistance can become a major player with the Kawi's. I switched my 27 inch Outlaws with my friends 27inch 589s and gained 10mph on top end something to think about. Switch tires for the heck of it before you tear your machine apart it could be something as simple as rolling resistance.