I need some advice and/or suggestions with a problem that seems to have become noticeable just recently. I have a 2009 Vulcan 900 Classic LT with about 11,800 miles on it.
Recently I've begun to notice a noise that the bike makes on certain occasions. It seems that the hotter the weather and the longer I've been riding the bike, the more I notice it.
I mainly notice the noise on deceleration at low speed (around 20 mph). When I'm slowing down for a stop or to enter a parking lot is when I usually notice it. I don't recall hearing it during acceleration or at high speeds.
At first, I thought it was something to do with the suspension or the front forks, but I can bounce the front end up and down while stopped and it doesn't make a sound. I can turn the handle bars back and forth while stopped and it doesn't make a sound.
Yesterday afternoon it was above 90 degrees and I took a ride. I rode awhile on the Interstate then got off for some town riding. It seemed that every time I slowed down for a stop sign or stop light that the bike would make a kind of "barking" sound at around 15 to 25 mph. It sounds a little like a quick rubbing sound, but sounds almost like a dog barking in the distance. ARK......... ARK.........ARK is the sound that it usually sounds like. The sounds are usually spaced about 1 to 2 seconds apart.
I'm thinking that it may be the drive belt or something to do with the drive gears. The drive belt seems awfully tight to me. With the bike sitting in the garage in neutral, I can press upward rather hard (10 to 15 pounds) on the belt and I can barely get it to deflect one mark in the gauge window. I would estimate that this is about 1/4" or less deflection.
Has anyone had any similar experiences? In particular, do you think my drive belt is too tight? Any other suggestions or ideas what may be causing the noise? Thanks for any help.
Recently I've begun to notice a noise that the bike makes on certain occasions. It seems that the hotter the weather and the longer I've been riding the bike, the more I notice it.
I mainly notice the noise on deceleration at low speed (around 20 mph). When I'm slowing down for a stop or to enter a parking lot is when I usually notice it. I don't recall hearing it during acceleration or at high speeds.
At first, I thought it was something to do with the suspension or the front forks, but I can bounce the front end up and down while stopped and it doesn't make a sound. I can turn the handle bars back and forth while stopped and it doesn't make a sound.
Yesterday afternoon it was above 90 degrees and I took a ride. I rode awhile on the Interstate then got off for some town riding. It seemed that every time I slowed down for a stop sign or stop light that the bike would make a kind of "barking" sound at around 15 to 25 mph. It sounds a little like a quick rubbing sound, but sounds almost like a dog barking in the distance. ARK......... ARK.........ARK is the sound that it usually sounds like. The sounds are usually spaced about 1 to 2 seconds apart.
I'm thinking that it may be the drive belt or something to do with the drive gears. The drive belt seems awfully tight to me. With the bike sitting in the garage in neutral, I can press upward rather hard (10 to 15 pounds) on the belt and I can barely get it to deflect one mark in the gauge window. I would estimate that this is about 1/4" or less deflection.
Has anyone had any similar experiences? In particular, do you think my drive belt is too tight? Any other suggestions or ideas what may be causing the noise? Thanks for any help.