20k Maintenance

Hey All,

I am approaching 20k miles on my 2009 swing and would appreciate any feedback on some things that I should be getting ready to replace or any maintenance suggestions. The belt was supposedly changed out at around 15k miles when I put in my Dr. Pulley sliders but I have my doubts on whether they changed it or not because my V Belt light keeps coming on even after I re-set it. I also have changed over to a K&M permanent filter. I regularly change the oil and filter every 4k miles and the final drive oil every other oil change. All using synthetic oil.

Just reset it

Thanks, I have re-set it about a dozen times. Still keeps coming back which is leading me to believe that they didnt change the belt. I dont know if there is a sensor that lights the V-belt when it gets to a certain diameter or not but that would make sense. Otherwise, I dont know why the light keeps coming back on after I reset it several times.

I think Tarmac Burner2 has the same problem with the "V" light, he just ignores it. You change the oil every 4K mls ? what on earth for, modern oils especially synthetic will certainly last the normal service interval of 8kmls. I am coming up to 32K and only do oil changes at the normal service intervals. at present i use semi- synthetic and have never had any problems, i change the final drive oil at 10k.My advice would be to change the spark plugs to Iridium(if you haven't already) i put Iridium plugs in at 8k and am still getting 64mpg( that's imperial gallons). I changed the drive belt at 16k and will change it again at 32k If you do the work yourself you know for sure it's been done. I also fitted the Dr Pulley sliders at 24k.

I am ignoring it but it makes me think that they either didnt replace the belt that I paid for or that there is an underlying problem. I was told or read somewhere that the recommended change was 4k miles and 8k for the filter. I change both at that interval. I live in hot and dusty south florida and I rely on my bike for 90% of my transportation. I would rather change it out and keep clean oil in it than change it at the last minute. I have been using a full synthetic motorcycle oil. What kind of oil do you use? Trying to sort through all of the postings here on the oil makes my head spin. I would rather use sythetic car oil if someone would just confirm that its ok and give me a brand and weight that they use.

yahooie wrote:

Hey All,

I am approaching 20k miles on my 2009 swing and would appreciate any feedback on some things that I should be getting ready to replace or any maintenance suggestions.  The belt was supposedly changed out at around 15k miles when I put in my Dr. Pulley sliders but I have my doubts on whether they changed it or not because my V Belt light keeps coming on even after I re-set it.  I also have changed over to a K&M permanent filter.  I regularly change the oil and filter every 4k miles and the final drive oil every other oil change.  All using synthetic oil.  

What weight sliders are you using? I have heard that the lighter ones can cause the V belt light to come on.

Yahooie, My information is that any engine is not "Run in" until at least 6k, so synthetic oil should NOT be used to allow the internals to match each other. I use Semi- sythnetic, as i still hold that Fully synthetic is actually a load of chemicals and not oil at all. Having said that i have been told that fully syn does give the best protection and improves fuel consumption. In England i ride in all seasons from just below freezing in winter to the present 90degrees we are having now. As regards oil it is generally agreed you should use Motorcycle oil, rather than Motor oil. 

Old Limey wrote:

I think Tarmac Burner2 has the same problem with the "V" light, he just ignores it.

Old Limey is correct. V light comes on regularly, especially when running a distance at motorway speeds. I actually changed the belt about 2000 miles ago and that light still comes on. I have put it down to the fact that I have a JCosta variator fitted and sometimes the scooter computer gets readings that are 'outside of the envelope'
Hold the two buttons on the instrument panel down, switch on the ignition and wait for the light to flash and then go out. That resets it until the next time.

Cheers,

It could be coincidence but I had the V-light issue also with the Dr Pulley sliders.  My light would come on quite regularly especially during high RPM riding.  What I found was that when I put the belt on I did not seat the belt all that well in the groove, it would "pinch" between the two surfaces.  

The correction for me was while re-installing the belt after replacement or just a clean and inspect, I use my socket wrench to move the belt back and forth and slowly tighten the bolt until the belt is completely seated in the groove then torque it to spec.  This has corrected the problem for me and no more V-light except at 16k intervals.

Hard to ignore a light on when it comes on and your ready to go or running down the road at high speeds....

Magoo

As for installing the belt: If you squeeze the belt together (between the pullies) once in a while while tightening, you can get the belt to go pretty far down the rear pulleys and thus have it loose up front to tighten it. That's important when installing it.

Unless you are using really extreme Dr. Pulley sliders or using a J-Costa variator (I know little about these) or aftermarket clutch pieces, you shouldn't see the V light unless something is wrong. I use 26 gram, ride up mountains, and use plenty of throttle - no problem. If the V light is on, it's one of the following:

1. It comes on every 16,000 miles or so automatically. Just reset.

2. Something is out of spec (wear). Belt, pulley (front or back), clutch, sliders, ramp plates. You'll need to find it.

3. Things were installed wrong.

4. Wrong belt is being used.

5. Something is preventing pieces from sliding smoothly. Maybe a ridged variator or gunk somewhere it shouldn't be.

6. Clutch is slipping.

7. Very, very, very unlikely: computer, wiring, sensor problems

What it isn't is normal. Some of the tolerances on these parts are pretty small.

When I noticed my V light coming on in the past, it usually would not trigger until riding at a steady 60 mph. If, at 60 mph, the engine was running at too many RPMs, the light would come on.

It could run at too many RPMs for a few reasons, but usually because either the belt or variator faces are worn, or the weights are sticking. I suggest you read the tutorials on this site, and do the work personally. It really is not difficult and it allows you to clean everything thoroughly, and ensures the work is actually done.

See my post earlier this year about worn variator faces.

https://www.silverwing600.com/t6338-variator-wear

Based on 300,000 rubber band drive scooter miles since 1990-----return every thing in drive line to stock OEM parts! When belt changed keep the old one as spare. Want to go faster, get a motorcycle

oil---WalMart house brand 10-40W---cheap,works--scooters/my 2 Miatas/BMW K bikes/ 2 Honda CB750 Nighthawk/Old type Kawasaki Concours/TMAX/Silver wing/Burgman 400' (2),, ETC ETC--500,000 miles,=no engine trouble----my change routine is 2,000 miles or 60 days whatever comes first---filter every other change-

Rear end oil---every year or whatever Honda chart says---engine oil

Honda builds good stuff---don't worry----ride 50,000 or more miles a year---just easier to trade...and maybe cheaper