Predator Install And New Clunk
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 157
From: Heart of Dixie
Predator Install And New Clunk
Hi Guys, Have a 16 FXDB stock rear motor mount installed a Predator front mount. Bike is stable at all speeds and does very well in the curves. The only thing that bothers me is over bumps at low speeds I here a clink or clunk metallic sound from the mount area. The Predator is mounted to their specs and been checked so I know it's tight. The stabilizer bar on the Predator is a little loose and may be the cause of the sound, just mounted the Predator the way it came. Just would like a little information from some of you guys who have been using the Predator for a while and your experience with it and if there are some sounds that may be associated with it. Thanks Guys, always better to be safe than sorry.
Joe
Joe
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Philly Suburbs
I've heard other people mention a front clunking sound after a Predator install. I've been using one for a couple of years now, and have never had the issue. I don't know whether there's a difference based on model year or what, but I doubt it. I do think that the multitude of alignment points throughout the Dyna chassis make every bike slightly different in terms of what is "perfect" and what causes an issue. I think you should rule out some non-mount related items first... One possibility is that the Predator has caused your engine/tranny to sit in a slightly different position than it had, which may be causing contact somewhere else. A common spot is the sidestand bolt, under the engine. It sits very close to a frame crossmember. If it's now slightly closer than it had been, it may be making contact sometimes. Some people have rectified this by reversing the bolt, I believe. The stabilizer link should be loose enough that it isn't "bound up." You should be able to spin it a little bit by hand. If you think it's noisy, spray a little bit of chain wax or something on it (but it wouldn't "clunk"). Is your rear mount in good shape? If not, the combination of a good front mount and weak rear mount may be causing the engine to sit badly. I would also recommend realigning the whole thing with the top link too...
Good luck solving this, I'm curious what the cause is.
(And make sure your fuel tank bolts are tight!
)
Good luck solving this, I'm curious what the cause is.
(And make sure your fuel tank bolts are tight!
)
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 361
Likes: 56
From: Lancaster, CA.
I had the same issue on my 2003 FXDWG. Tried everything, including replacing the rear mount. Was not able to solve the issue. Removed the Predator and sold it. My mechanic will no longer install these due to this issue.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 11
From: Huntley, IL
Check to see if the front header pipe is hitting the down tube of the frame. If it is, the engine is moving forward when you hit a bump or stop hard. Loosen the bolt, have someone sit on the bike. This brings the engine back. Torque the bolt.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 673
Likes: 30
From: Warrington England
Your mechanics attitude about the Predator seems a bit extreme,there's a lot of them been sold & very few complaints about them causing a clunk,it does seem as though the new alignment with the predator may be revealing a problem elsewhere,as others have said.
Why not email Vibra technics in the UK,to see what they suggest,or if the Predators useless you could sell it to me cheap
Why not email Vibra technics in the UK,to see what they suggest,or if the Predators useless you could sell it to me cheap
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 157
From: Heart of Dixie
Thanks Guys for your insights, bike is aligned to all zeros, no head pipe interference. I tried the have someone sit on it and run it with Predator loose then tighten down, no luck. Almost sounds like a washer rattle when I hit a bump, Is there any way the Predator could be separating on bumps and producing a rattle? Just a thought have no idea,
Thanks again Guys I'll keep digging.
Joe
Thanks again Guys I'll keep digging.
Joe
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
If it's a "rattle" rather than a "clunk," I suppose it COULD be coming from the stabilizer link, but I can't imagine that would be loud enough to hear while riding. Easy enough to check whether the stabilizer is playing a role: Just unbolt the link itself and ride around the block.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 361
Likes: 56
From: Lancaster, CA.
Your mechanics attitude about the Predator seems a bit extreme,there's a lot of them been sold & very few complaints about them causing a clunk,it does seem as though the new alignment with the predator may be revealing a problem elsewhere,as others have said.
Why not email Vibra technics in the UK,to see what they suggest,or if the Predators useless you could sell it to me cheap
Why not email Vibra technics in the UK,to see what they suggest,or if the Predators useless you could sell it to me cheap
I have to say, that after replacing both mounts with new OEM mounts, there was a definite improvement in handling.
I suspect eventually someone will discover why some bikes have issues, and some don't. I tried every suggestion I got from this forum..
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Philly Suburbs
Vibra Technics was involved in the troubleshooting process. We tried all their suggestions except one. They wanted me to remove my rear Sputhe stabilizer, even though their instructions clearly state their unit is compatible with rear stabilizers. They did offer to return my money, however after figuring in repair cost to ship back to the U.K. I decided it was better just to resell here in the states. It sold right away on this forum. I never heard back from the person who purchased it, so I assume it worked OK for him.
I have to say, that after replacing both mounts with new OEM mounts, there was a definite improvement in handling.
I suspect eventually someone will discover why some bikes have issues, and some don't. I tried every suggestion I got from this forum..
I have to say, that after replacing both mounts with new OEM mounts, there was a definite improvement in handling.
I suspect eventually someone will discover why some bikes have issues, and some don't. I tried every suggestion I got from this forum..
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 287
Likes: 31
I know exactly what your issue is and it's easy to fix. The predator, especially if you didn't loosen the rear mount to install, tends to push the motor back slightly (I'm talking MMs here, because the rear mount is pulling while you are installing), but it's enough to have the kick stand pin contact one of the bolts in the case. There are a couple of solutions, and I actually did both:
1), turn your kickstand pin around, and shim it with a washer so that the hole just barely sticks out enough to get the "wire loop" through and keep it in place.
2) And Probably the more important step: loosen both front and rear mounts, use a pry bar, wedge, or something to push the case slightly away from the kick stand cross bar that runs across the bottom two frame members, and retighten your mounts. It also helps to shim the rear mount, allowing the motor to stay a bit more forward.
You do this, and I can almost guarantee the clunk will be gone.
1), turn your kickstand pin around, and shim it with a washer so that the hole just barely sticks out enough to get the "wire loop" through and keep it in place.
2) And Probably the more important step: loosen both front and rear mounts, use a pry bar, wedge, or something to push the case slightly away from the kick stand cross bar that runs across the bottom two frame members, and retighten your mounts. It also helps to shim the rear mount, allowing the motor to stay a bit more forward.
You do this, and I can almost guarantee the clunk will be gone.