First thing I suggest is that you don't, I repeat, do not trust the notches on the rear do-hicky for adjusting your belt. They are at best an approximation of accurate. Instead, raise the back wheel off the ground, spin the wheel by hand (in neutral of course) and then set the adjusters while watching the belt. At first move the nut quite a bit just to see how the wheel adjustment moves the belt back and forth on the rear gear. Then once you see how things work back there do the fine adjustment thing to get the belt running in the center of the gear.

Also you want to make sure the belt guard doesn't start to rub against the belt. First time I adjusted mine after replacing the rear tire I did it with the guard off. When I put the guard back on after everything was perfect I had a whole new set of noises to deal with. Fortunately, as has been mention elsewhere on here, a pry bar/tire iron is a most excellent belt guard adjusting tool.

Oh, by the way, the bike sat all winter here in southern MN, outside on a trailer with two bike covers on it. After a couple hours on the battery charger and the fuel valve set to reserve it started right up. No smoke, no arguing, no sputtering. Gotta love it when a plan, no matter how lame, comes together. Of course it's supposed to rain here and drop back into the forties again for a week or so. Just my luck.

Jack

Hell, Billy wrote on 04/24/08 at 00:18:08:


Agree with the "most people overtighten" thing. Dealerships all seem to as well.

I'd suggest just slackening the belt a little bit and see if it helps with the squeaking. At least you'll know if tension is the cause of the noise and it's easy to do.

Re using wd-40, I've been tempted to spray mine but haven't yet - I worry that the oil will attract grit/dirt.

Hey thanks for all of the responses, very helpful indeed. Yeah, I actually do like the feeling of doing my own repairs. I will take heed and start with loosening the belt a touch and use some silicone lube and see how that goes. I'll probably order the belt as well.

If any of you find yourselves around the Jersey shore area, give me a shout. One thing I do know how to do well is make slammin pictures, and if you're ever around my area I'll be happy to photograph any of the forum members with their bikes.

Thanks again. A very generous bunch here.

My belt squeek went away when I discovered a product called "Metal Protector" (kinda like a spray on wax) the carrier evaportes and leaves behing a smoth finish on the belt.  I found it at the Honda shop in Nashville Tn., that was 2 years ago and I'm still on the first can.  My bike has 27683 miles and still on the same belt.  I did put a new bearning under the rear pulley once.  Check if the pulley wiggles independly of the rear wheel.  Save your belt money for gas and ride a lot.
Be safe