switchback vibration
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Stage I
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: fairmont, WV
switchback vibration
inherited a 2012 Switchback - 4000 miles - insane vibration at 2500-3500 rpm
lotta buzz on internet - many similar complaints
what's the fix - why doesn't HD have an answer?
lotta buzz on internet - many similar complaints
what's the fix - why doesn't HD have an answer?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,756
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
It's really helpful to be as descriptive as possible when it comes to these sorts of issues 
Is the vibration more intense on acceleration or decel? Do you experience any sort of shuddering on decel?
Dyna's are a special animal and their alignment and isolators play a key role in them being either right or not. The front isolator is a known wear item; I changed mine out at 600 miles on the ODO but by setting up the bike correctly at that point the issue has not returned.
A few links to help get you started, the HD service bulletin is from May of '12. The monster shimming thread is a good read and you'll find good information within that...
https://app.box.com/s/42af95077c683c50e461
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...today-wow.html
Is the vibration more intense on acceleration or decel? Do you experience any sort of shuddering on decel?Dyna's are a special animal and their alignment and isolators play a key role in them being either right or not. The front isolator is a known wear item; I changed mine out at 600 miles on the ODO but by setting up the bike correctly at that point the issue has not returned.
A few links to help get you started, the HD service bulletin is from May of '12. The monster shimming thread is a good read and you'll find good information within that...
https://app.box.com/s/42af95077c683c50e461
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...today-wow.html
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 231
From: northeast
switchback vibes are caused by the design of the factory exhaust system
clevis pin mod OR COMPLETE new exhaust is only fix for it..
just adding a slip on will NOT be enough to get rid of that vision blurring vibration
clevis pin mod OR COMPLETE new exhaust is only fix for it..
just adding a slip on will NOT be enough to get rid of that vision blurring vibration
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 378
Likes: 152
From: Here
!00% spot on
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,681
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
Yup...
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 666
Likes: 95
From: Berlin
Text Below is not from me, credit to the op who wrote it, but basically this is the problem and how to fix it.
The vibration between 2.5k and 3.5k rpm on many, but not all, Switchbacks is a notoriously well known problem. Here's the fix for that Switchback vibe problem:
On the bottom side of the muffler near the middle there is a bolt that attaches the muffler to the center of the support bracket. Temporarily remove this bolt completely. Start the bike. Run the engine up to 2,700-3,200 RPM and you will most likely notice the horrible vibration is gone. Replace the bolt with a clevis pin, a couple of fender washers, and a couple of rubber washers. (You often see this referred to as the "Clevis Pin Mod") This will keep it from falling off the bike if the rear bolt comes lose but it will let it float a little and remove the solid attachment that causes the resonance and vibration. You've "rubber mounted" the vibrating area of the exhaust system that causes the problem.
The vibration between 2.5k and 3.5k rpm on many, but not all, Switchbacks is a notoriously well known problem. Here's the fix for that Switchback vibe problem:
On the bottom side of the muffler near the middle there is a bolt that attaches the muffler to the center of the support bracket. Temporarily remove this bolt completely. Start the bike. Run the engine up to 2,700-3,200 RPM and you will most likely notice the horrible vibration is gone. Replace the bolt with a clevis pin, a couple of fender washers, and a couple of rubber washers. (You often see this referred to as the "Clevis Pin Mod") This will keep it from falling off the bike if the rear bolt comes lose but it will let it float a little and remove the solid attachment that causes the resonance and vibration. You've "rubber mounted" the vibrating area of the exhaust system that causes the problem.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 231
From: northeast
Text Below is not from me, credit to the op who wrote it, but basically this is the problem and how to fix it.
The vibration between 2.5k and 3.5k rpm on many, but not all, Switchbacks is a notoriously well known problem. Here's the fix for that Switchback vibe problem:
On the bottom side of the muffler near the middle there is a bolt that attaches the muffler to the center of the support bracket. Temporarily remove this bolt completely. Start the bike. Run the engine up to 2,700-3,200 RPM and you will most likely notice the horrible vibration is gone. Replace the bolt with a clevis pin, a couple of fender washers, and a couple of rubber washers. (You often see this referred to as the "Clevis Pin Mod") This will keep it from falling off the bike if the rear bolt comes lose but it will let it float a little and remove the solid attachment that causes the resonance and vibration. You've "rubber mounted" the vibrating area of the exhaust system that causes the problem.
The vibration between 2.5k and 3.5k rpm on many, but not all, Switchbacks is a notoriously well known problem. Here's the fix for that Switchback vibe problem:
On the bottom side of the muffler near the middle there is a bolt that attaches the muffler to the center of the support bracket. Temporarily remove this bolt completely. Start the bike. Run the engine up to 2,700-3,200 RPM and you will most likely notice the horrible vibration is gone. Replace the bolt with a clevis pin, a couple of fender washers, and a couple of rubber washers. (You often see this referred to as the "Clevis Pin Mod") This will keep it from falling off the bike if the rear bolt comes lose but it will let it float a little and remove the solid attachment that causes the resonance and vibration. You've "rubber mounted" the vibrating area of the exhaust system that causes the problem.
NOT QUITE as simple as this as it does take some finessing, juts loosening that cross bolt will move the vibration range down lower in the rpms
Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 135
Likes: 17
From: Mendocino, Ca.
Yes that was my experience. When I did the clevis pin mod at first I got the assembly too tight- vibes moved down the rpm range. Then too loose- same. Finally just right and perfect now. No bothersome vibes. You have to play with the thickness of the spacers.
When I got new tires put on by an indie shop they removed the muffler and when they put it back they had lost a thin washer and the vibes were back so I had to re-do the connection and now all is good again. I will add that I bought my Switchback used and the dealer had put on a Nightstick slip on muffler and I am still using that.
When I got new tires put on by an indie shop they removed the muffler and when they put it back they had lost a thin washer and the vibes were back so I had to re-do the connection and now all is good again. I will add that I bought my Switchback used and the dealer had put on a Nightstick slip on muffler and I am still using that.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 54
From: Arlington, TX
I had a noticeable increase in vibration on my 2016 FLD after my dealer installed a stock head pipe sans cat. The bike also runs a Vance and Hines slip on, a Screaming Eagle intake and is Power Vision tuned by the dealer. Performance markedly improved after the install and the tuning but the increased vibration was noticeable. I decided to try the clevis pin fix and it worked. Vibration is cut by 50 percent and I'm happy.
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