Went on a nice 20 mile trail ride Saturday, had a blast, I was of course the only Kawasaki amongst a bunch of Polaris, Honda and Yamaha. Everything was fine until we saw a frozen waterfall and decided to drive up the stream to get a better look at it. I tried to take the same line as the guys before me, but didnt grip one of the rocks on the left, sending my right front end plunging into the deep end, like way under. Im going to blame my Dunflops for this right now. Anyway, this is right where my belt vent intake is, sucked it full of water. Played hell trying to get back out of the stream, belt slipping, smoking. Polaris people laughing.


The silver lining is I made it out under my own power, more than the Honda could say. After it dried off for a mile, it ran fine, no slipping or anything. But anyway, Now that ive "smoked" a year old belt and gotten it wet, what next? Does it absolutely need replaced? Or can I just check and adjust it? ive never had it open and have 400 miles on the bike. Sorry if this question has been beaten to death, I just cant get a straight answer. Thanks!!!

one more thing, the 400 Polaris wasnt laughing when I smoked him in a field race, neither was the 250 Trailblazer...

 

The belt might be a bit glazed if it was smoking, but if it isn't slipping now that it's dry, I'd say it was OK. I would definitely take your CVT cover off and have a look in there. You might want to take your clutches apart and regrease them just to make sure.

 

Sounds like what im hearing, at least the regrease the clutch part. Thanks for the reply, I will have do that this coming weekend.

 

400prairiexlt

If you take yor clutch cover off DO NOT greese your clutches!!!! They are completley different than those found on a 650 or 360. If you do greese your clutches on your 400 you'll need a new belt for sure. The clutches are made to run dry. If you take your clutches off to inspect wash them with hot water then once they're dry rinse them with brake/parts cleaner. When you are checking your belt look for a flat spot if it was smoking it is possible you hourglassed it in which case you need a new one.

 

Thanks for the warning, I will just clean. According to my dealer, replacing the belt is super easy, I might just do that anyway since im in there. How much should i expect to pay for a belt?

 

prairie400xlt
If you pay more than about 55.00 usd your getting hossed and if you only got 400 miles on it it's a waste of cash to buy a new one unless you want the one you have for a good spare. I've seen belts with 5000 miles on them. Allso you can set your belt deflection on the 400 just like the 650 and 360 (remove washers from the driven clutch to tighten). If your dealer wants to much for the belt e-mail me at naberkawasaki@sasktel.net

 

400 Prairie XLT, sorry for the bad tip, but I thought you had a 650.
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Don't know how I missed that one considering your signature!!! Man I'm silly!!!!!

 

Not a problem with the tip, Any help at all is better than none! I will get in there this weekend and if the belt looks too bad, its gone. If it doesnt look too worn and the deflection is good then im sealing it back up. Thanks a bunch for all the help.