Yamaha Road Star Front Pulley Nut

[@fredcorcoran6689]

I had been hearing a clunking noise when I walk my bike in and out of the garage. I put it up on the stand, put it in Neutral and turned the wheels one at a time. I noticed that when I turn the rear wheel I heard the clunk noise towards the middle of the bike. I then saw that the belt would shift slightly with the clunk sound. I search on line to see what could be causing it and found this video. I realized that a loose pulley nut had to be the problem. Sure enough, the nut was loose and the only thing holding it on was the bent over washer clip. I followed James steps in this video and the problem is solved. Thanks you James!

[@Jadams1911]

I'm glad you found the loose nut before it did any damage. This is a common problem with the road star.

[@danbarrale5457]

Just bought a 99 Road Star Silverado with only nine thousand miles on it and you have been my go-to videos source so far I thank you for these thorough and informative videos

[@lensman8]

Truly an awesome teacher... Understandable speaking, Good lighting, well thought out, precise in details, no long boring areas, all tools and materials ready, TO THE POINT. Wish more were like you. I'm subsribed!!

[@massoutdoors2221]

I just picked up a 05 Road star midnight. You're videos are awesome, showed me how to change my oil and i just checked the front pulley. At 13k miles it was loose! Only thing keeping it on was that lock washer with the tabs. Followed youre instructions and it went smooth. Thank you for these videos!

[@elisandrotrevino2586]

I have a 05 road star and my nut just ripped off and stripped my threads. Wish I knew about this video before hand .

[@markkoven9462]

James, have you ever done a video on servicing steering head bearings?

[@pauldraman2475]

Very, very good teaching. I just bought a midnight star last year and your videos have helped me a lot. Now if I can get my carb to stop dripping I should be good. I love this bike and thank you for all your helpful videos.

[@ezekielcastillo4019]

hello, i have an issue with my bike, is a 2005 yamaha roadstar 1700, today i notice a stain in the floor and i bring it a part and its leacking from this pulley area, should i tie it up or check the seals? nice videos by the way

[@Jadams1911]

Pull the cover and remove the sprocket. There is a seal behind it that can be replaced.

[@jamesreynolds3449]

Hey James, I have a 2005 Roadstar and did a LED light upgrade but can not seem to find any videos on how to take the brake light apart to change the bulb. 2005 style does not have any screws in the lens cover. I see 1 out of 3 bolts under the rear fender but a metal bracket covers the top 2 bolts and I can not get to them to loosen it.

[@davidwasden2001]

Do you have a solution for rebuilding or replacing the mono shock on your road star? I literally cannot find a replacement for it! Every Yamaha resource businesses, do not offer a replacement shock absorber. Even aftermarket businesses, lack the replacement option. I am trying to find a shock absorber the same length, and perhaps do some modification on adapting it to the mono shock system. Your advice woke be greatly appreciated! David

[@louiseneron-asman817]

thank you for posting this video. My Vstar was making a weird noise. i followed your video and and now the noise is gone. your video was very easy to follow. Thanks again

[@A-AFarm]

Anyway you could make some videos on changing front/rear brake pads and rotors your videos are very informational.

[@cruslock]

Thanks for an excellent video. I’ve found out the hard way that checking this is important. I’m currently fixing my broken bike. Splines are gone on both drive shaft and belt wheel.

[@gnieciag]

Have you done a video on changing the fork oil and springs??

[@tomhampton2275]

2006 . Replacing seal and o-ring behind pulley. Had the nut that's crimped up front. Having a hard time breaking nut loose by myself. Bits on ground and it's spinning this and can't press rear brake and use pull bar. It's it OK to use an impact? Really worried about the internal vibtation

[@Jadams1911]

You can use an impact on the nut.

[@davidwasden2001]

Do you have a solution for rebuilding or replacing the mono shock on your road star? I literally cannot find a replacement for it! Every Yamaha resource businesses, do not offer a replacement shock absorber. Even aftermarket businesses, lack the replacement option. I am trying to find a shock absorber the same length, and perhaps do some modification on adapting it to the mono shock system. Your advice would be greatly appreciated! David

[@Jadams1911]

I do not have a video on the shock but there is a guy on Face Book that sells shocks for the road star

[@davidv672]

James you mentioned that you removed the fuel pump on your bike. Can you share why and how. I heard about a pure gravity fuel running. Please assist since i am planing to remove mine. Thanks

[@granttaulbee2324]

Doing this check really saved me. I checked mine and the nut is partially backed off. It's still tight so I don't think any damage was done but I can tell the washer with the tab failed to hold.

[@artincorona]

You have some really good informational and tutorials on the Roadstar. I noticed you haven't published any videos since this one, 5 yrs ago, I hope you're ok and hoping you start doing more videos. Take care.

[@Jadams1911]

Thank you! I'm ok, just been busy with my businesses. I hope to make more video in the future.

[@simonforfan]

@@Jadams1911 Hi James. Silly question maybe but how much Loctite should i put on? A dot, or cover the whole axle with it?

[@Jadams1911]

@@simonforfan A drop or two will be fine. Loctite only goes in the threads so it doesn't take very much to work.

[@simonforfan]

@@Jadams1911 I removed the front pulley cover on my '03 yesterday, lo and behold the nut was loose. The only thing keeping it from fully unscrew was the washer, scary stuff!

[@PhillipMorrisII]

My 05 ,1700 Midnight Silverado is leaking oil out of seal behind front pulley. Any videos on that ?

[@ezekielcastillo4019]

i have the same problem did you find any solution?

[@joefaulkner6583]

Nice video. I'll be checking my 01 before my next ride.

[@berube361]

I'll be checking the pulley nut soon when I replace the oil pump gear. Figure tackle all that at once while the bike is comming apart. Just got my 2000 road star 1600 a week ago and love it. Luckily the trans recall was done but oil pump gear wasn't. Bike has 17k miles and runs perfectly as of now.

[@kelseysantiago3648]

Would you mind letting me know what seat and backrest you have?

[@bkmccuneful]

James, love your videos! Have you ever had any dealings with a possible stuck valve? Been reading about using seafoam deep creep, but no videos of someone actually doing it.

[@Jadams1911]

Yes I did that on my 02, sorry I didn't make a video. The hardest part is removing the exhaust. just spray in the deep creep and let it sit over night. What year is your road star?

[@bkmccuneful]

@@Jadams1911 It's an 03 Silverado. Exhaust is off and the deep creep should be here tomorrow. Hoping to ride by the weekend with any luck.

[@normanddavid3426]

You make real nice video's. You save me a lot of time, Thank You.

[@Jadams1911]

You're welcome. I'm glad the video helped.

[@ironwarrior8890]

If you own a xv1700 warrior you need to torque the pulley nut to 125ft lbs...the factory setting is to low it will come loose...even with lock washer in place...if you see red dust on your front pulley then the nut is loose.

[@Jadams1911]

That's good to know. Thanks!

[@ravenfn831]

Thanks for this info. My Warrior was making a differential noise while slowing down and was told to check this. Do you happen to know the nut size? It's a 2008 Warrior.

[@mummyjohn]

Anyone know if there was a recall on this design? I have a Strat that had this exact problem happen - the nut backed off and the splines got worn down, it worked fine and then one time I twisted the throttle, RPMs went up but I didn't go any faster....

[@ebachy]

Have you ever had something lodge on the pulley cover area and make noise each revolution. I don't think it is on the belt, but somewhere near the pulley. Sometimes when backing the bike into the garage it us like something has gotten stuck and it won't roll until I stop and go again. Also, it spun out on some mud in my driveway and fell over on the pulley side (no damage to bike, thankfully). I have dropped battery terminal bolts down from the battery and never found them, so I picture that it came loose and is causing and issue. After the incident, I hear a regular noise when I drive forward and it's frequency increases as the bike moves faster...pulling or coasting. Should I pull the cover and poke around? Thanks for the thorough video!

[@Jadams1911]

I would pull the cover just for a piece of mind. Anything can get up inside there.

[@ebachy]

Update for anyone reading later: I pulled the cover and found a battery terminal bolt, that I dropped while pulling the battery some time ago, lodged in the belt. As it revolved with the belt it would hit the rollers adjacent to the front pully. With some effort (involving a hammer and punch), I was able to dislodge it and the sound is gone. Local mechanic said he has seen damaged belts in worse condition that last a long time...at least until the next rear tire replacement (his recommendation). Thanks!

[@Jadams1911]

Wow! I'm glad you found it before it left you stranded or did more damage.

[@tkong35]

Question if.this is loose will u leak gear oil? Great vid im doing mine now

[@Jadams1911]

You may notice and oil leak if it's loose

[@tkong35]

@@Jadams1911 i tighten it today its leaking less i may haw to do the bearing and seal do u have a bid for that

[@ThePatrickWinsett]

I have a 06 roadliner with the same setup is the nut reusable after taking it off.. and is just torquing it and pinning the nut on enough or is the locktite necessary too ?

[@randyhicks7954]

there was nothing wrong ?

[@ehd1990]

Hey James I know it's been 3 years since this video but I am having an issue with my 2002 road star. The bike rides great and sounds great when I'm riding alone but as soon as my girl gets on the back, anytime I am in decelaration, the bike makes a screeching/scratching noise from the area where the clutch is. It's only during decelaration and only when I have her on the back. Any clue as to why this happens?

[@Lee-70ish]

Sounds like a drive belt tension issue. Follow the maintenance book and check the belt tension is correctly set and the adjusters are on the same mark both sides . The swinging arm adds tension the further it travels up . a pillion passage adds a lot of swinging arm movement

[@ehd1990]

@@Lee-70ish thanks for the advice Lee. I was under the same impression about the swingarm going up adding more tension but I learned with softails, it's the opposite. I loosened the belt thinking it was too tight with a passenger but it made the noise worse so I tightened it to as much as the manual would allow and the noise went away. I also learned the marks on the swing arm are not matched correctly. I took measurements and the marks did not match. All the common sense stuff I knew about motorcycles did not apply to this bike lol which Is why I was struggling to figure out this noise!

[@Bass.Player]

After watching this I checked mine and had to use an impact to remove it! It was tight. red loctite was intended for a permanent bearing set not bolts unless you want to follow the directions for red and heat the bolt/nut to 250 degrees C before removing it. I used blue loctite plus the bend over washer. I took it to 110 Lbs because the 89 spec was a problem.... Some people are going to 125Lbs. This might be a little much because the nut is shallow and being fine thread it will get much tighter for a given spec.

[@dry509]

What year is yours? What year do you recommend I get? Also how is the cornering and braking on this bike?

[@Jadams1911]

My road star is an 06, if your looking to buy look at least an 05 because the changing systems are better then the older models. the bike corners and brakes very good. One nice thing about the road stars is, they have a slip clutch, which means when you down shift the rear tire will not lock up.

[@dry509]

James Adams Thanks for the response.

[@easytargetrn]

Does a loose pulley nut produce any noise? In that area?

[@Jadams1911]

It can. If you hear any noise coming for that area you need to pull the cover and check the nut before it cause major problems with the shaft. Also check the rollers

[@Metabo1950]

Nice Video. Can't wait for one on installing a new stator, Cheers!

[@MrCsteele31]

Do you happen to have torque specs for the 09 model? I'm sure I can find it, I just thought I'd ask. Thank you for your content brother 😎 I'm learning a lot from you!

[@Earclops]

What brand brake cleaner do you use?

[@fp7151]

Hi James I have a yamaha 2000 Roadstar it runs good but something doesn't seem right. So here's my concern when ever I'm on the highway and I try to hit higher speed my bike seems to lag. For example I'm riding on 3rd gear and I push it to 4th but once I'm in forth it takes a while to reach its maximum potential of speed. It seems like my bike struggles to catch speed. Witch doesn't make sense to me for the amount of cc it has. Also the problem happens sometimes when I make a complete stop and go to 1st gear or I enter the highway. My bike has 50,000 and I love it but I want it to run at its maximum potential. Is there any advice you could give me? Oh and Thank you for these awesome videos!

[@Jadams1911]

It could be a few different things. One of the jets may be getting plugged. Be sure to run some seafoam in your tank every third fill up. This will help clean off the ethanol that can gum up your jets. If this doesn't seem to help then you could have a weak fuel pump or a bad or weak spark plug. Also make sure your air filter is clean. .

[@jamesweber4938]

Is your clutch slipping ?

[@jimeckenrode1271]

Is there any symptoms you would notice when it starts coming loose ???

[@Jadams1911]

You may feel a vibration, or if it gets to loose it could strip the splines on your shaft and the bike will feel like the transmission is slipping.

[@jimeckenrode1271]

@@Jadams1911 Thanks for the response. My bike is a 2007 with 10.000 miles but I am planning a long trip this summer and don't want any problems. I will check it before I go but as of now I have no issues.

[@SajidBhutto-p3w]

Hey I have Yamaha road star 1700 2008 ... whenever I ride ....I m feeling the voice coming from this belt cover ... Like tak tak tak tak .....can you please guide me ....

[@Jadams1911]

Remove the cover and make sure the sprocket nut is tight. Also look at the rollers.

[@pauladrianchavezhernandez6048]

how can be the relationship be modified to have a more relaxed engine ? exist ?

[@jondavis6348]

When I should I check it at how many miles mine has 19,000

[@massoutdoors2221]

I just checked mine at 13,000 miles, it was loose. Check it asap

[@jamesbone2256]

Can white lithium grease be used to lube the rollers?

[@Jadams1911]

YES

[@coreymoore4353]

Hey just wondering my bike makes a whining type noise when I let off the throttle could that be my pulley need to be checked

[@Jadams1911]

If you haven't checked the pulley nut it's always a good ideal, but it also could be the belt tension or alinement .

[@BracketracerX171]

Thanks for the Video!! I checked mine and it was loose

[@raylocke282]

Better system than my Harley as far as changing the drivebelt.On Harley the stealership charges about 1000 dollars usd labour plus cost of new pulley and belt on my FL Electra Glide.

[@joshhess4939]

Hey James I have a bike just like yours but it's a 2001, anyways my gas gauge cycles when I turn it on but it's not reading my fuel level if you could plz help me with this!!

[@Jadams1911]

First check the green plug. it's between the back of your tank and the front of your seat. If it is plugged in then your sending unit is bad. This is a common problem and easy to fix. You'll have to remove the tank and turn it over, then you will see the sending unit, just remove the two bolts slip it out and install the new one. www.2wheelpros.com/oem-parts/yamaha-sender-unit-assy-fuel-meter-4wm-85752-10-00-part.html

[@bucksavage3728]

James, do you or any of your followers know the size of the two short fat bolts that hold your bracket in place with the two long ones? One bolt fell out and I cannot find the Yamaha part number to save my life.

[@Jadams1911]

Do you mean the bolts that hold the sissy bar brackets to the fender?

[@bucksavage3728]

I believe so. You loosen the two big ones I'm referring too first then you remove the longer ones on the bracket making sure you dont lose the washers.

[@garybaldwin1061]

Excellent video!

[@Jadams1911]

Thank you!

[@tomhampton2275]

Great video.

[@rmoore2536]

Outstanding video. TY

[@crackshot65]

Where did you get your torque specs for the 06 and 07?

[@Jadams1911]

From the updated Yamaha service manual

[@MyMusic-sy4rq]

I have a 2008 do you know what the pulley nut torque spec is

[@Jadams1911]

it should be around 89 ft lbs

[@MyMusic-sy4rq]

James Adams I just wasn't sure because your paper stopped at 07

[@kaktusdoften]

I have a 2009 an wonder too about the tornur spec (or where i can find the spec) Excellent video! Gives me guts to fix this by myself! Thanks a lot!

[@embemor5872]

Great video! Thanks so much!!!

[@SaltyPirate71]

I'm surprised they didn't use a lefthand threaded bolt or at a minimum drill it for a simple cotter pin through the bolt in front of the nut.

[@robertoramos1652]

hello on 1999 Yamaha road star silverado 1600cc where is my fuel pump at

[@Jadams1911]

It is located on the left side of the bike under the chrome cover below the petcock.

[@dayanpetkov3941]

Great video buddy! Thank you so much

[@levigrafton6854]

I had an issue I would let my clutch out in first and it wouldn’t go anywhere but I heard a grinding noise coming from my clutch cover, I pushed it to the nearest motorcycle shop in my town. And they said this is what happened the bolt came loose. I thought my clutch went or something

[@Jadams1911]

It's a common issue with the road stars.

[@efrainromero865]

Crazy how that nut will eat those threads. Mines ate them, now I have to change the shaft. Would you have a video on replacing the shaft? I have an 04 roadster

[@artincorona]

Did you weld it or replaced the shaft?

[@zozoa1]

Thank you so much excellent video.

[@Jadams1911]

Thank you!

[@omermohamed9901]

Thank you very much for your help

[@christopherkimmer8240]

I was researxhing this as i have a 04 road star xv1700 and ive foubd out you should use blue loctite NOT red blue is strong enough red is near impossible to remove without damahe to threads if at all possible. Great video tho

[@Jadams1911]

Blue lock tight will work fine. I use red lock tight because of the holding power. If I ever need to remove the nut again I'll just use a heat gun to soften up the lock tight and it will come off just fine. But everyone should use what they are comfortable using. Thanks for watching,

[@artincorona]

I agree blue is fine, better than nothing. I accidentally bought blue loctite from harbor freight because it's in a red bottle but used it and everything is fine.

[@jordanenix2802]

I was wanting to ask you how to adjust the idle speed on my 2000 road star 1600. Thanks in adance.

[@Jadams1911]

On the right side of the bike below the air box is the idle control knob, turning the knob will affect how the bike runs, it's only used for fine tuning your bike unless you also adjust the PMS screw below the carb.

[@jordanenix2802]

@@Jadams1911 i just had the bike rejetted with cobra straight pipes an oil changed an stuff but thr bike is idleing waaaay to fast. Like over 3000 rpm

[@jordanenix2802]

@@Jadams1911 whats pms?

[@Jadams1911]

Make a mark on the idle control knob so you know where is was then once the bike is running at operating temps then turn the idle down to see how it runs, @@jordanenix2802

[@Jadams1911]

@@jordanenix2802 The Pilot circuit (which the PMS screw controls) is responsible for primary fuel delivery at idle

[@betfoyet]

Thank you

[@wwtservices5168]

Good video. Thanks

[@amjrpain919]

I'm looking for a 1 or 2 tooth larger drive pulley for my '04 warrior, if anybody can help, I'd really appreciate it!

[@csiautodetail]

Why don't you just check if the pulley nut has a correct torque instead taking it out, just a question.

[@Jadams1911]

You could just check the torque, but I like to look at the splines to make sure they are in good condition.

[@BloodBath1234]

@@Jadams1911 And to add the lock tite.

[@mikemaifeld6280]

Is this a common problem?

[@Jadams1911]

Yes, its easy to check.

[@AManAndHisDolly]

. . you do know . . That . . the washer with bent tabs . . is there to keep the Nut from loosening . . . yaa . ? ?

[@Jadams1911]

Yes thats what the washer is there for, but it's always a good ideal to check the nut to make sure it is tight. Every bike owner should know their bike.

[@Joel-ho8xx]

It’s about five hundred worth of parts if it gets loose.

[@lugnut6784]

did you put the bike in 5th gear before you torqued the pulley nut back on?

[@Jadams1911]

No

[@craizyfrog]

Bonjour,pouvez vous me donner le couple de serrage ,merci

[@Jadams1911]

J'espère que ça aide 99 à 03 63 ftlbs 04 et 05 74 ftlbs 06 et 07 89 ftlbs

[@paulacabbo466]

I think this james adams was killed in a motorcycle crash in kentucky with a girl pricella hogston on back who also died,thats why there's no more videos

[@Jadams1911]

No that wasn't me, just haven't had time to do any more videos. Life got in the way

[@Zx14rrrrrrrrrrr]

A cotter pin would this unnecessary.