Reinforced engine mounts
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 262
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From:
Reinforced engine mounts
Hi to all, guys and gals,
Have been pretty quiet lately since most of my time was absorved by my 08CVO Springer. Now and really appreciating the Dyna ride, with its lack of high frequency vibes and power band stretch, I'm starting to share rides with both bikes, loving each for what they are and what different riding pleasures they give me.
Coming to this point, I do notice the big difference in handling both bikes have and getting to the point, on the Dyna, with the engine and rear swinging arm as one part and the other, the front wheel, forks and frame, I start to understand why that weave and wobble I feel in high speed long sweepers, or when shutting down the throttle after having overtaken some traffic and turning back to my lane doing over 60-80 MPH. I'm quite sure that since the rubber mounts are the only main link between the two parts of the bike (rear shocks cannot help much in holding the bike steady....), then I must agree with many that this fact can and will affect handling in a bad way.
I have read inthis forum that some companies are selling stronger steel reinforced silentblocks or rubber mounts, so I would really appreciate it if someone could lead me to contacting the manufacturers or dealers selling them, because after riding the Softail, that is steady as a rock, I would be very much inclined to correcting as much as I can the weave my Dyna serves me on a hot plate when I'm least expecting it.
I pay a round of virtual beers to all you people; I'ts nice to be back.
BR,
Spanish Flyer
Have been pretty quiet lately since most of my time was absorved by my 08CVO Springer. Now and really appreciating the Dyna ride, with its lack of high frequency vibes and power band stretch, I'm starting to share rides with both bikes, loving each for what they are and what different riding pleasures they give me.
Coming to this point, I do notice the big difference in handling both bikes have and getting to the point, on the Dyna, with the engine and rear swinging arm as one part and the other, the front wheel, forks and frame, I start to understand why that weave and wobble I feel in high speed long sweepers, or when shutting down the throttle after having overtaken some traffic and turning back to my lane doing over 60-80 MPH. I'm quite sure that since the rubber mounts are the only main link between the two parts of the bike (rear shocks cannot help much in holding the bike steady....), then I must agree with many that this fact can and will affect handling in a bad way.
I have read inthis forum that some companies are selling stronger steel reinforced silentblocks or rubber mounts, so I would really appreciate it if someone could lead me to contacting the manufacturers or dealers selling them, because after riding the Softail, that is steady as a rock, I would be very much inclined to correcting as much as I can the weave my Dyna serves me on a hot plate when I'm least expecting it.
I pay a round of virtual beers to all you people; I'ts nice to be back.
BR,
Spanish Flyer
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
RE: Reinforced engine mounts
Dude,
Your first "problem" and we should all be lucky enough to have such "problems," [8D]is that you are living in two seperate Harley worlds with these 2 bikes.
A Dyna is set-up to ride and run more "dynamic." That is more by feel of the road, the engine vibes, etc. The Softail was initially designed back when for a more comfortable ride, while maintaining that Harley look and sound. It's a trade-off really. Some hardcore folks would even go so far as to say each motorcycle represents a different lifestyle even.
If you really have such weave and wobble on the Dyna to the degree you state, it likely isn't your motor mounts. Go get the alignment checked out, or the tires possibly. My guess is though if you are riding both on a regular basis, the dynamic ride of the Dyna is amplified from just finishing a ride on a Softail.
Remember, the Softails run the TC96-B, which is a counter-balanced engine designed to be free of vibrations. The 96A installed in the Dyna line is a rubber-mounted unbalanced engine that allows the rider to feel every aspect of the ride, from the engine vibes to the bumps in the road, etc.
Both bikes represent a completely different riding experience, so don't expect both to run or ride even close to each other in terms of handling or operation.
Just my 8 cents.
Your first "problem" and we should all be lucky enough to have such "problems," [8D]is that you are living in two seperate Harley worlds with these 2 bikes.
A Dyna is set-up to ride and run more "dynamic." That is more by feel of the road, the engine vibes, etc. The Softail was initially designed back when for a more comfortable ride, while maintaining that Harley look and sound. It's a trade-off really. Some hardcore folks would even go so far as to say each motorcycle represents a different lifestyle even.
If you really have such weave and wobble on the Dyna to the degree you state, it likely isn't your motor mounts. Go get the alignment checked out, or the tires possibly. My guess is though if you are riding both on a regular basis, the dynamic ride of the Dyna is amplified from just finishing a ride on a Softail.
Remember, the Softails run the TC96-B, which is a counter-balanced engine designed to be free of vibrations. The 96A installed in the Dyna line is a rubber-mounted unbalanced engine that allows the rider to feel every aspect of the ride, from the engine vibes to the bumps in the road, etc.
Both bikes represent a completely different riding experience, so don't expect both to run or ride even close to each other in terms of handling or operation.
Just my 8 cents.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
RE: Reinforced engine mounts
You are correct but you need to address more than the motormounts. This is a subject that would require a small book to cover. I do not plan on spending that much time on it. Look to every part that moves such as swingarm, front end, et al. It is not just the motormounts. I know as I did it to get my bike to work better. A full redesign and loss of comfort would be necessary to completely address this task including changing the backbone to twin spar and eliminating the frame flex. A daunting task at least.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 498
From: Alberta
RE: Reinforced engine mounts
Have Sputhe motormounts and aluminum swingarm on my 103" FXDXT; big difference. Here's a link:
http://www.sputhe.com/
I noticed similar handling characteristics on mine before; it's much more stable now, even two-up at up to 100mph. I also have 418's on back; more re-bound control helps...of course you'll check the stock stuff first.
'01 FXDXT Ultra-Lite Classic
103 by HQ
Some aluminum, some composite, some torque
620lbs wet weight
[IMG]local://upfiles/32069/62A0F82B8A214E3691F4FC9B300F33E8.jpg[/IMG]
http://www.sputhe.com/
I noticed similar handling characteristics on mine before; it's much more stable now, even two-up at up to 100mph. I also have 418's on back; more re-bound control helps...of course you'll check the stock stuff first.
'01 FXDXT Ultra-Lite Classic
103 by HQ
Some aluminum, some composite, some torque
620lbs wet weight
[IMG]local://upfiles/32069/62A0F82B8A214E3691F4FC9B300F33E8.jpg[/IMG]
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Reinforced engine mounts
First of all thanks for your help; I was actually looking for Sputhe and Sharkey has forwarded their address.
However Flynavy, I had the same problems with the Dyna before I got the CVO ST. There is something wrong in a desing when the front and rear wheels are separated by a set of marshmallow like rubber mounts. I do not doubt for a minute that changing the mounts will fix all my problems or...as you putit "dynamic" behaviour of the Dyna.... The fact is I don't plan on racing with the bike, just want to make it a more predictable bike.
When I rode the 08 Screaming Eagle for the first time, I immediatly noticed that the rear end was as steady as you can get; riding the bike through country roads it was as if the bike was in a virtual rail I traced on every curve and the bike just followed the track. I was (and am) a bit weary about the Springer front end, but so far so good; it is actually more fun and has the added habitily to turn in a smaller dia. circle than the normal forked bikes. Actually I must say that I find this bike to be the most beautiful bike money can buy.
Best regards,
Spanish Flyer
However Flynavy, I had the same problems with the Dyna before I got the CVO ST. There is something wrong in a desing when the front and rear wheels are separated by a set of marshmallow like rubber mounts. I do not doubt for a minute that changing the mounts will fix all my problems or...as you putit "dynamic" behaviour of the Dyna.... The fact is I don't plan on racing with the bike, just want to make it a more predictable bike.
When I rode the 08 Screaming Eagle for the first time, I immediatly noticed that the rear end was as steady as you can get; riding the bike through country roads it was as if the bike was in a virtual rail I traced on every curve and the bike just followed the track. I was (and am) a bit weary about the Springer front end, but so far so good; it is actually more fun and has the added habitily to turn in a smaller dia. circle than the normal forked bikes. Actually I must say that I find this bike to be the most beautiful bike money can buy.
Best regards,
Spanish Flyer
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 498
From: Alberta
RE: Reinforced engine mounts
I can say that with my current Dyna, most (I said most...) metric sport tourers aren't all they're cracked up to be...a few, like the big Kowalski, are just horsepower monsters which I can't keep up to, but, others like the Yammy and Honda 1300's are now on a similar playing field. I'd rather trailer my bike than sit in 5th gear upright for hours on end...
There's nothing wrong in my book with achieving the potential of the Dyna platform; it don't mean your trying to make a road racer...just trying to improve on things. Yeah; it's expensive.
Good luck with your "quest" Spanish Flyer...
[IMG]local://upfiles/32069/A38C1CB49F8B4B57ACCB3B97A275F07D.jpg[/IMG]
There's nothing wrong in my book with achieving the potential of the Dyna platform; it don't mean your trying to make a road racer...just trying to improve on things. Yeah; it's expensive.
Good luck with your "quest" Spanish Flyer...
[IMG]local://upfiles/32069/A38C1CB49F8B4B57ACCB3B97A275F07D.jpg[/IMG]
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
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From:
RE: Reinforced engine mounts
ohlins shocks ( 36e i think ) , ohlins front fork springs and ohlins fork oil,, 100% improvement. Add the Sputhe stuff also and that would totally sort it, thats what i will end up with i guess
pete
pete
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