Example of a bad dyna motor mount
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
That mount and the bolts are to be inspected at each service interval. If it was the dealer, an independent or the OP someone has dropped the ball.
The two isolators front and rear hold the engine in line and therefore the swingarm on a Dyna. Dyna's at best with that set up do not track well on high speed sweepers. That is why there are aftermarket components to improve the handling like True Tack. Many many threads on the Dyna forum about that issue.
If that bike was been regularly ridden it borders on negligence.
I will draw an analogy about the merit of the picture. It is about the same as posting a picture of a tire with the casing threads showing and saying this is what a worn tire looks like. It is know as a BFO aka a blinding flash of the obvious.
If one does not know what the critical parts of the bike look like then they should consider another hobby.
Get to know your bike up front. Even doing pre ride inspection is worth while. Before riding learn the critical fasteners which can and do routinely loosen.
I started riding in Mar 1956 and have keep all services on over 50 bikes of many brands done my self not a dealer. I have toured most of the North American Continent and have always gotten home without a mechanical issue. Know your bike, know what condition it is in and what it is capable of in braking & handling. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
Now go have a nice safe ride.
The two isolators front and rear hold the engine in line and therefore the swingarm on a Dyna. Dyna's at best with that set up do not track well on high speed sweepers. That is why there are aftermarket components to improve the handling like True Tack. Many many threads on the Dyna forum about that issue.
If that bike was been regularly ridden it borders on negligence.
I will draw an analogy about the merit of the picture. It is about the same as posting a picture of a tire with the casing threads showing and saying this is what a worn tire looks like. It is know as a BFO aka a blinding flash of the obvious.
If one does not know what the critical parts of the bike look like then they should consider another hobby.
Get to know your bike up front. Even doing pre ride inspection is worth while. Before riding learn the critical fasteners which can and do routinely loosen.
I started riding in Mar 1956 and have keep all services on over 50 bikes of many brands done my self not a dealer. I have toured most of the North American Continent and have always gotten home without a mechanical issue. Know your bike, know what condition it is in and what it is capable of in braking & handling. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
Now go have a nice safe ride.
Last edited by lh4x4; May 24, 2015 at 09:47 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 9
From: Williamsport, MD
it's just hard to believe HD put such a crappy part on these bikes that aftermarket companies make better replacements for them., especially since the part is so simple..
now you could just space that mount up another 1/4" to get more clearance to the header.
I wonder if you had a warranty on that bike would a dealer replace the mount under warranty?
now you could just space that mount up another 1/4" to get more clearance to the header.
I wonder if you had a warranty on that bike would a dealer replace the mount under warranty?
"If one does not know what the critical parts of the bike look like then they should consider another hobby."
Agreed, completely. Motorcycling is simply not safe if its mechanics are a mystery to the rider.
But nobody's born knowing stuff. We all start somewhere. I assume that's what the OP was trying to do: educate people about what a rooted isolator looks like. One great thing I've noticed in the HD rider community (unlike most Japanese bike riders I know) a lot of people are keen to wrench their bikes and are wanting to learn. We don't all have filthy 'bike mechanic mates, so posts, with pictures, help.
In order to know about stuff, one must first learn.
Agreed, completely. Motorcycling is simply not safe if its mechanics are a mystery to the rider.
But nobody's born knowing stuff. We all start somewhere. I assume that's what the OP was trying to do: educate people about what a rooted isolator looks like. One great thing I've noticed in the HD rider community (unlike most Japanese bike riders I know) a lot of people are keen to wrench their bikes and are wanting to learn. We don't all have filthy 'bike mechanic mates, so posts, with pictures, help.
In order to know about stuff, one must first learn.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
"If one does not know what the critical parts of the bike look like then they should consider another hobby."
Agreed, completely. Motorcycling is simply not safe if its mechanics are a mystery to the rider.
But nobody's born knowing stuff. We all start somewhere. I assume that's what the OP was trying to do: educate people about what a rooted isolator looks like. One great thing I've noticed in the HD rider community (unlike most Japanese bike riders I know) a lot of people are keen to wrench their bikes and are wanting to learn. We don't all have filthy 'bike mechanic mates, so posts, with pictures, help.
In order to know about stuff, one must first learn.
Agreed, completely. Motorcycling is simply not safe if its mechanics are a mystery to the rider.
But nobody's born knowing stuff. We all start somewhere. I assume that's what the OP was trying to do: educate people about what a rooted isolator looks like. One great thing I've noticed in the HD rider community (unlike most Japanese bike riders I know) a lot of people are keen to wrench their bikes and are wanting to learn. We don't all have filthy 'bike mechanic mates, so posts, with pictures, help.
In order to know about stuff, one must first learn.
I've not been wrenching motorcycles for quite as long as ih4x4, maybe forty years or so, several of those years professionally. One does not automagically know the idiosyncrasies of every new make and model, he has to learn hands-on. Subsequent mechanics can benefit greatly from the experience of previous mechanic's experiences. I would imagine that ih4x4 learned a lot of what he knows from the same sort of experience and the passing on of information.
I knew nothing about Dyna motor mounts until I found this thread by a search.
I'll bet that there are some HD technical bulletins on this subject that us mere non HD mechanics aren't privy to, but in the meantime, it's threads like this one that educate the rest of us.
Good useful informative thread.
Stage I
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Sagging mount?
2012 wide glide with about 600 miles on it, barely ridden. I've been getting excessive vibes in the mirrors, entire front end jumping horribly, and my feet go numb after a few miles down the road
3/8 gap on bottom
Right side of motor mount, Looks like rubber is about to tear. Left side looks the same
Left side motor mount about to tear. Notice big gap on bottom rubber
Clearly touching metal and supposed to be a small gap according to service bulletin I found
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
The front mount is always prone to getting soaked with oil everytime the oil filter is removed. Id be curious to see how long one would take to deteriorate while being submerged in dirty oil on your work bench. Im sure heat is also a factor. Personally I think the quality of the rubber has a lot to do with how long one lasts. My filter never comes off until Ive poked a few holes in it and its had time to drain. It might not help the mount last longer but it keeps me from making a mess. My mount has 17k and still looks pretty dam good
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 74
From: The 12th Rebel State
There only one word to know when it comes to Dyna front engine mounts... Predator by vibra technics... don't waste your time or any more money on OEM..
http://www.vibra-technics.com/harley...t_engine_mount
http://www.vibra-technics.com/harley...t_engine_mount
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 98
From: north of the south pole
Whats up with these guys getting oil all over their front mount? Why don't they make a tray/funnel thing from a 1gal antifreeze container...
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