jgustman
New member
Replaced the ripsaw with a Doo 1.45" deep lug track, but measures more like 1 3/8 deep. Bearings are good, clearance is good at approx. 1/2 inch in between track and front cooler, (no protectors on the viper s). I set up track tension at 1 1/4 sag with 16 pounds of pull per the recommendation in the tech section of the forum instead of setting it up tight like yamaha recommends, no ratcheting, but I get a vibration/rattling when cruising down the trail in small bumps when barely on the throttle or when letting off the throttle. Next ride I tightened up the track tension 3/4 of a turn on the adjuster bolts, tested, and seemed to help a little, but still doing it. My belief is that the track tension is still too loose when the suspension is compressed a little over bumps and when not on the thottle it is rubbing. I cant see that it's rubbing anywhere, but feel it may be hitting the front heat exchanger slightly causing the noise. Anyone out there have the same experience, and just tighten the track a bit more???
Viper_Jim
New member
One possibility is that when you put the chaincase back together after installing the new track you put too much tension on the chain. When your chain is too tight it can make a noise very similar to a track rubbing.
jgustman
New member
Possible I guess, I just did finger tight, (without) putting the chain on slack per yamaha instructions to turn the clutch to pull slack out, so I don't think thats an issue of being too tight.
Track may just be humming from the different style taller lug track.......
jgustman
New member
Definitely not just the track humming, it only does it when the suspension is compressed a bit over bumps/dips and coasting essentially. It is a lot louder than humming, but not vibration like the track slipping over cogs or chain slipping in the chaincase. This is what lead me to believe that there must be enough slack to either be hitting the tunnel or most likely the front cooler, which I think is the case as the sound is there but not vibration directly under the seat if were hitting the top of the tunnel. It is completely quiet under heavier throttle application. Most prevalent in that 35-40 mph range when your track is freely spinning under easy loads.
I know this might sound silly but did you happen to put your belt on backwards? The reason I ask this is because after I changed my driveshaft bearing I had a vibration. Went thru eveything that I did. Couldn't find anything wrong. Installed the belt and noticed the "arrow" on it. Put the "arrow" facing the front and went for a test ride. Vibration was gone.
If it doesn't happen under load then I dont think it's rubbing,,,, you say 1/2" clearence to front heat exchanger,, will not hit that unless the track is ballooning witch is only under load at high speed........ You can tell if it's rubbing by checking out your tunnel and track.........May have a bad bearing,,, will do this also.......... Weak shock?
Last edited:
T.S.U.Filmz
Member
check skid you may have something not tight or broken. like your W arm
jgustman
New member
Not a belt vibration, it's in right. Will check skid W arm, but like I stated, bearings ok, skid is in tight, and was not doing this just hours before with the stock ripsaw track, this one is a good 1/3 inch taller. Thinking it's just too loose. The skid does have 3,700 miles on it now though...Thinking stock shocks and skid should be upgraded...
Last edited:
jgustman said:
Sounds like the track is ballooning and rubbing. If it's real loose it'll balloon at many different speeds and loads including decel.
Use a marker and color areas that look like they might be contacted by the track (tunnel, HX protectors) and look for contact. Or try tightening the track in small increments to see if the adjustments affect the vibration.
Could also be the nature of the track. Does the vibration change depending on the surface you're riding on?
jgustman
New member
snow surface doesn't affect vibration/noise that I'm talking about. I think it's ballooning as well, haven't had time to tighten a bit more and try again. Overall it's nearly as quiet as the stock ripsaw, except when it does what I described.
no1chevyboy
New member
is the track clipped different (full/every third)? longer lug rougher ride at low speed on trail?
jgustman
New member
no1chevyboy said:
Track clip/hole configuration is clipped every 3rd just like stock ripsaw. You can hear a bit more lug slap/hum on the trail but not rough or annoying. Willing to be it's just a bit too loose yet. Need to go out tonight and knock the snow/ice out of it and check the W-arm for cracks and tighten it up a bit. Don't think I have time to ride/test 'till Friday or Sat.
Have you tried your backup belt to eliminate that possibility???????..........
jgustman
New member
Ok, back to test results from tightening track to yamaha maintainence spec, still getting the track rubbing, but a lot less than before. It's not as loud as before, and feels as if it's ballooning right under the gas tank and hitting the tunnel when you are taking it easy at 35 to 50 mph in small bumps, doesn't do it at all when on the gas... I think this track has to go....I did notice yesterday that when running the track on the stand that it is not aligning correctly at the front of the rails and the back is centered. The track is just clipping the right front rail nose causing a lot of noise because the plastic piece is slightly loose on the rail. I checked the axle alignment in the tunnel and it is perfectly centered....So the front suspension must be tweaked a bit. Doesn't matter as a M-10 is on the way... Still think the track has to go, because it was just fine with the stock ripsaw in it.
jgustman
New member
Update, after removing the 1.45" track, you can see where it was rubbing the rivets under the gas tank in the tunnel, it had to be ballooning a bit yet even when tightened to yamaha spec. Anyway, hope this helps others know you can't run a 1 1/2 track on a Viper S without rubbing issues, but only minor ones. The viper s doesn't have tunnel or cooler protectors either BTW. Anyway it's over now, new 1.352 cobra and M-10 install on the way.