Sudden severe clunk

[KMacs]

Hi, new RT owners here. Elated - wife new to bikes and I haven't for 25yrs. Anyway, we were out for a ride and I pulled off a winding road shoulder quickly to let a rocket and Porsche by. The road lip was uneven. We got off, let them by and then I started to accelerate from 1st gear when there was a loud and very ugly clunking that happened 2-3x so I backed off immediately, then tried to accelerate again and it happened again. I pulled over, and not knowing anything, glanced to make sure nothing fell off, the tires were on and full and nothing obvious. We got back on and slowly accelerated. We moved along and regained confidence that nothing broke and ended up finishing our overnight ride without incident. Any ideas or advice on what may have happened or if I should take the bike in? Thanks.

 

[boborgera]

If you were accelerating relatively hard while still on the soft shoulder, My guess would be that the nanny was kicking in.And if it was the case it's nothing to worry about, Under those conditions it's normal

 

[Illinois Boy]

Just in case... check your belt to make sure you didn't kick a rock up into it.

I had a rock get up into my drive belt on my Harley and it make a fairly solid clunk-sound several times before it fell out -- or was pulverized. In the meantime, the belt had some damage; but not enough to keep from riding.

Since you went off the road it could have happened. Hopefully not.

 

[KMacs]

Thanks, my wife thought that we had tangled with a thick branch and when I checked the belt there was some stuff stuck in two notches so we got that out. When I accelerated I did punch it and the rear tire was half on and off so also could have been that. Strange sound. Speaking of the belt, am I doomed to listening to it squeak when accelerating. At my 900 mile check up mechanic told me it is a common issue and that he lubed and maybe he said tightened it. It was only when cold and first two gears then, now almost any gear when I accelerate. Thanks for the help - this is a great forum - I have learned much. Just installed new windshield from Cal and what a great change. Totally different experience on the freeway. We now have 1300 miles in three weeks - great fun!

 

[james danny]

se5

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome:

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

In my opinion the Spyder was named wrongly. It should have been called the Mouse, it squeaks in the belt area, the brakes, the front wheel bearings ect. don't worry about it it's all fixable! Third generation brake pads cure sort of the brake squeaks get teh front wheel bearing lubed and the belt, well just get load pipes and don't worry about it LOL.

 

[KMacs]

se5

Yes

 

[NorthStar]

Thanks, my wife thought that we had tangled with a thick branch and when I checked the belt there was some stuff stuck in two notches so we got that out. When I accelerated I did punch it and the rear tire was half on and off so also could have been that. Strange sound. Speaking of the belt, am I doomed to listening to it squeak when accelerating. At my 900 mile check up mechanic told me it is a common issue and that he lubed and maybe he said tightened it. It was only when cold and first two gears then, now almost any gear when I accelerate. Thanks for the help - this is a great forum - I have learned much. Just installed new windshield from Cal and what a great change. Totally different experience on the freeway. We now have 1300 miles in three weeks - great fun!

Take a look at the belt alignment on the rear sprocket. There should be a small gap of 1 to 5 mm between the belt and the Right Flange of the sprocket. See attached diagram.

If the belt is touching the flange you may hear a loud squealing sound when you accelerate. (I know I did) Adjusting the belt alignment is quite simple and the dealer should be able to do this in a matter of minutes.

 

[SpyRyd]

Take a look at the belt alignment on the rear sprocket. There should be a small gap of 1 to 5 mm between the belt and the Right Flange of the sprocket. See attached diagram.

If the belt is touching the flange you may hear a loud squealing sound when you accelerate. (I know I did) Adjusting the belt alignment is quite simple and the dealer should be able to do this in a matter of minutes.

One thing I learned from this awesome site is to ensure you don't do the visual belt alignment check after backing up. Apparently the belt moves closer or even against the right hand flange when backing so check for the clearance only after moving forward.

Perhaps Scotty aka NancysToy aka the Bike Professor and other more wrench savvy SpyderLovers will add some sage advice about checking the belt alignment.

 

[Bob Denman]

Odd... :shocked: The belt on mine moves over to the FARRRR :yikes:.... laft when I'm backing up, and then goes back to within 1mm of the flange on the inner side once it gets sorted out and is moving forward again.

 

[boborgera]

Odd... :shocked: The belt on mine moves over to the FARRRR :yikes:.... laft when I'm backing up, and then goes back to within 1mm of the flange on the inner side once it gets sorted out and is moving forward again.

A few years ago i meet up with a belt manufacturer , And he explained to me [in great detail i might add] why the belt does that in reverse, So after a half hour of explanation, It all went in one ear though the empty space and out the other ear. But the jest of it was that the belts are cut from long tubes to the width needed, And are semi directional. Or it could be because of the directional rotation of the Earth at the time of manufacture.??:roflblack:

 

[Lamonster]

Just in case... check your belt to make sure you didn't kick a rock up into it.

I had a rock get up into my drive belt on my Harley and it make a fairly solid clunk-sound several times before it fell out -- or was pulverized. In the meantime, the belt had some damage; but not enough to keep from riding.

Since you went off the road it could have happened. Hopefully not.

That's what I was going to say too. :doorag:

 

[Bob Denman]

A few years ago i meet up with a belt manufacturer , And he explained to me [in great detail i might add] why the belt does that in reverse, So after a half hour of explanation, It all went in one ear though the empty space and out the other ear. But the jest of it was that the belts are cut from long tubes to the width needed, And are semi directional. Or it could be because of the directional rotation of the Earth at the time of manufacture.??:roflblack:

:shocked: :hun:
Bob,
YOu exceeded my quota of technical information input for the day... and it's only a little after 10:30! :gaah: :roflblack:


So I just don't back up too far lest the belt end up on the blacktop! :yikes:

 

[spyder web hgw]

U.S. Map

Where do I go to down load a US map that I can show where I've been? I've seen them attached to several messages.
Thanks
Spyder web