O.K. This is a long post, but, I'm hoping that someone will be able to help. I have a 2001 Dyna Wide Glide with 18,400 miles. About 2 weeks ago I noticed a vibration from the engine that occurs just above idle. I'm guestimating about 1400 to 2000 rpm or 1st gear at 12 to 15mph, 2nd 25 to 29mph on up thru all gears. Also, this vibe occurs at the above rpm's moving or standing still, withthe clutch in or out. I performed the vehical alignment (3 times), adjusted the stabilizer link out 2 turns with bike on lift and brake discs vertical. checked primary chain for correct rig and inspected the compensator both good. On the clutch shaft I noticed a little upand down movement but had to use an extension to get that movement and their was no associated clunking noise or feel. I removed all the clutch discs and inspected and all checked good, their was a little movement on the basket when empty, I posed this question to the dealer and was told some up and down play was to be expected. I replaced the spark plugs 1 month ago with the gold ones but I decided to Pull the plugs and see what they looked like, the color was black sooty on bottom ring of plug and tan sooty on curved electroid for front cylinder and black sooty all around on aft cylinder. r2'd all fluids and filters. I also read the thread for adding a shim to the front iso mount and tried it. Still have the same vibration. So, I then bit the bullet and took it to the dealer and after 3 hrs was told that there were no defects and the shops head mechanic took it for a ride and told me "it rides smoother than most dyna's including new ones". I am the original owner and bought it new of the show room floor. The vibration is definitly new. I have also inspected the frame for cracks. The front iso mout was replaced in 2002 by the dealer under warranty. I did inspect the iso mounts, none of the rivits were sheared and the rubber looked good, no cracks except for some small surface notches where the rubber flexes. I also tried removing on spark plug wire and running the eng single cylinder, while running on just the front cylinder it started right up and ran pretty well, on the aft cylinder I had to play with the throttle to get it started and could tell it ran a little rougher than on just the front.

Well, thats my situation. I look forward to any ideas or help that anyone can give.

EAGLEFRANZ.

 

This may be making a larger problem trivial, but I was noticing some wired vibrations in my bike. These were getting progressively worse. I remembered an old trick that helped me solve the problem; a beer, tools, and a rubber mallet.

I sat on my shop stool with plenty of glide space around the bike, poured a beer, and then started smacking on the bike with the rubber mallet.

After about an hour, and a couple of beers, what I though was an engine issue turned out to be something loose in my head light, and a loose rear strut bolt.

Now my _engine_ sounds much better, and I'm happy this was not something inside.

 

Perhaps I'll give it a try this weekend ericsenf, but, I'm not sure I can bring myself, no matter how drunk to smack my bike around that bad but I do appreciate your enthusiasm to fix your bike.

eaglefranz.

 

When I say "whack" on it, you really just need to tap around on various locations of the frame/mounts/etc. Listen closely for the proceeding metallic rattle. I was surprised how quickly I was able to hone in on sounds that have been bugging me for a couple of weeks.

 

O.K. I get it now. Sorry ericsenf,I thought at first your response was one of the smart-*** type but I see the wisdom of your words with the second response. Thankyou very much I will certainly give it a try.

EAGLEFRANZ.

 

Nice exchange. My 2003 wideglide developed a little annoying rattle, so I used my hand to tap around, just like ericsenf, and shure enough, my front fender had a couple of loose bolts.

Cheers,

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