Another FLD vibration thread (question)
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 104
Likes: 34
Another FLD vibration thread (question)
I'm still getting used to my Switchback FLD.
I've read many posts about the vibration. But most of these are old posts.
My FLD has dual Vance and Hines exhaust. The stock exhaust was thought to be the cause of the vibration in those earlier posts.
It also has a tuner for the FI. It runs well around town.
My bike is all but unridable at highway speeds. The vibration as really, really bad. So bad that the mirrors become invisible and I feel like the fillings will shake out of my teeth.
This is at about 3k rpm.
Have there been any findings recently? Any tips or help on how to tone this down a bit?
It is a horrible highway bike at this time.
Will I be relegated to take the back roads and stay below 65 miles an hour?
I've read many posts about the vibration. But most of these are old posts.
My FLD has dual Vance and Hines exhaust. The stock exhaust was thought to be the cause of the vibration in those earlier posts.
It also has a tuner for the FI. It runs well around town.
My bike is all but unridable at highway speeds. The vibration as really, really bad. So bad that the mirrors become invisible and I feel like the fillings will shake out of my teeth.
This is at about 3k rpm.
Have there been any findings recently? Any tips or help on how to tone this down a bit?
It is a horrible highway bike at this time.
Will I be relegated to take the back roads and stay below 65 miles an hour?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
1st Harley? The reality is that they all vibrate, to what degree and to what is acceptable is subjective. To some what you are describing is perfectly normal to others even the slightest vibration sends them yelling about it.
if it’s what you described I can almost gareentee you that it’s one of two things...your power train alignment or your front motor mount.
for the alignment check out F86’s thread on it, he has one of the best totorials on doing this....
for the mount, if you have low mileage you might get a away with shimming it, if your over 10k then replace it with a predator mount, CCE or the new on market vibretecs...
if it’s what you described I can almost gareentee you that it’s one of two things...your power train alignment or your front motor mount.
for the alignment check out F86’s thread on it, he has one of the best totorials on doing this....
for the mount, if you have low mileage you might get a away with shimming it, if your over 10k then replace it with a predator mount, CCE or the new on market vibretecs...
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
You didn't say what year your bike is, but changing mounts is treating the symptom, rather than the cause (Been down that road). Sounds like fuel starvation. Harley ECMs are made in China and are often the culprit for poor runnings. If you can find a competent mechanic (nearly impossible) to play with that tuner, have him dyno tune it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 1,884
I'm still getting used to my Switchback FLD.
I've read many posts about the vibration. But most of these are old posts.
My FLD has dual Vance and Hines exhaust. The stock exhaust was thought to be the cause of the vibration in those earlier posts.
It also has a tuner for the FI. It runs well around town.
My bike is all but unridable at highway speeds. The vibration as really, really bad. So bad that the mirrors become invisible and I feel like the fillings will shake out of my teeth.
This is at about 3k rpm.
Have there been any findings recently? Any tips or help on how to tone this down a bit?
It is a horrible highway bike at this time.
Will I be relegated to take the back roads and stay below 65 miles an hour?
I've read many posts about the vibration. But most of these are old posts.
My FLD has dual Vance and Hines exhaust. The stock exhaust was thought to be the cause of the vibration in those earlier posts.
It also has a tuner for the FI. It runs well around town.
My bike is all but unridable at highway speeds. The vibration as really, really bad. So bad that the mirrors become invisible and I feel like the fillings will shake out of my teeth.
This is at about 3k rpm.
Have there been any findings recently? Any tips or help on how to tone this down a bit?
It is a horrible highway bike at this time.
Will I be relegated to take the back roads and stay below 65 miles an hour?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
You didn't say what year your bike is, but changing mounts is treating the symptom, rather than the cause (Been down that road). Sounds like fuel starvation. Harley ECMs are made in China and are often the culprit for poor runnings. If you can find a competent mechanic (nearly impossible) to play with that tuner, have him dyno tune it.
Hugger: I completely understand you've had a frustrating experience with your Dyna. I've pretty much followed all of it over quite a bit of time, and I would truly be happy if you finally solved all your issues and started enjoying your bike.
However... If you pay attention to the forum, you'll know these things can be frustrating to resolve and have many potential causes, but you'll also know that MANY people have successfully resolved vibration and wobble issues by addressing air pressure or wheel bearings or swingarm bearings or fall away or suspension preload or motor mounts or drivetrain alignment or misaligned exhaust or sidestand pins, etc. These fixes are not always "treating the symptom" as you say. In many cases finding the right one of these things is finding the cause. Your constant insistence that every trace of vibration instantly means a bad crankshaft or a bad ECU and that all mechanics know nothing is neither helpful, nor accurate.
No personal disrespect intended.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: nowhere
His latest kick is "Harley ECMs are made in China!" Something else to ad to his inane ramblings.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 334
Likes: 40
From: Midland,Texas
I have a FLD also, first thing first, make sure the exhaust is properly installed.
Next check the front motor mount, the are prone to failure due to placement under the oil filter. Rear motor mount could be an issue, check it also. Your lloking for torn damaged rubber isolators.
Check the free play on the front neck bearings, this adjust as well as the head bolt can cause vibration issues.
Check the tires, how old are they? Cupped or off center tread wear? proper inflation?
check those and lets see where your at.
Next check the front motor mount, the are prone to failure due to placement under the oil filter. Rear motor mount could be an issue, check it also. Your lloking for torn damaged rubber isolators.
Check the free play on the front neck bearings, this adjust as well as the head bolt can cause vibration issues.
Check the tires, how old are they? Cupped or off center tread wear? proper inflation?
check those and lets see where your at.