OEM WINDSHIELD = much noise... timing belts ?

[FLATSIX]

Yesterday I mounted the OEM windshield that I have for years now, but only used it once and took it off...

As concerned doing long distances and high speed : then the shield is perfect. I went to the maximum of my girl and she did 195 km/h = 122 mph. When I did this without windshield I could get 10km harder, but only for seconds because of the windpressure on your head and body. With a windshield you can definitely drive as long as you wish at higher speed.

BUT WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THE NOICE THAT YOU GET WITH THAT SHIELD: I hear the noises coming from my front tire - with certain types of road it is hughe what kind of sounds you get.

Then there is the sound of the timing belts, without the shield I also hear them wirling - most of the noice at 2200 till 3000rpm, but with the OEM windshield mounted it really is too much noise of them, it is as they are wirling just beside my head.

I read in the manual that with cold motor you have to have between 5 and 7mm free play when applying 2kg of force on the belt. Years agao when I have put the 6° TW I remember that afterwards I had effectively more wirling of those belts, but I mounted them like Honda says...

Do I have to tighten them more or what should I do?

Applying a force of 2kg. is not evident - 2kg is not much I find, if you push good in the middle of the belt and you obtain 5mm. - should this not be also O.K. (but then you pushed more then 2kg)

Need some advise about these wirling belts- want to eleminate as much as possible that annoying sound.

Thanks guys !!!

[MP]

Take the wind shield back off!  Then you will not hear the motor again.  OR, put louder pipes on.  That works too!
MP

[FLATSIX]

You are too late with your advice !!!!   Put the Windshield back in my cellar for another 12 years !

But the real question is :  how to tighten the belts at the best to have less wirling ?? Anyone has good experiences with this - please let me know before I screw things up.

[Grandpot]

Flatsix:

I do not think you have a problem.  As you know, the engine is very quiet.  The loudest parts on the engine are the alternator, valves, and timing belt.  The windshield catches those sounds and amplifies them like a parabolic dish.

If the timing belt noise did not bother you before you put the windshield on, I would not try  to fix it now.  If you make it too tight, the timing belt will definately make more noise. 

[FLATSIX]

Doctor J:  Toooo laaate !   I could not help opening the cover and checking the tension on the belts.

result:  when I slightly pushed (2kg.......?) I had a slac of about 1 cm and it should be only 5 mm (half) - I could also turn the tensio-wheel by hand without moving the belt of course- so I think they were a little loose.

Now I have retightened them both so that when you push there will only be 5mm slack - this is acoording the book - started the engine but did not make a ride yet as it rains here... but I think they will make more noise (in my head I am satisfied as they now are more according to the spec's)

After a testride I will now for sure...

[FLATSIX]

Did my testride after tightening up the 2 belts to 5mm (or a little less perhaps) - and yes.... they make more noise then before.

But I'll leave it like it is , they are closer to specs then before, so will be better for the Lady, I think..

[Patrick]

Windshields sure do amplify all kinds of noises.. These timing do make noise and and as you found out,, the tighter they are the more noise they make.. I like to set them at 3/8" cold.. That does keep them a little quieter than the recommended 1/4"..

[DeathWishBikerDude]

Get a harley!
Seriously,complaining about engine noises on the valk,is like complaining about rice at the chinese restaurant.
The only thing quieter,would be a wing.

[Robert]

They do have a spring on the tensioner so you can get the right tension. The belts do dry out and if the belts have never been changed then I would recommend it. Just did mine and there was a change in the sound for the better quieter and smoother. As for the correct tension if you just loosen the tensioner and then pry on it gently to just take up any slack tighten it up and more than likely it will be correct.

[BF]

I love my windshield.  I can't hear my pipes for all the wind noise with it off.   

And yes, I want louder pipes.