Vibration/Chatter??
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
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Vibration/Chatter??
Not sure if it is an isolated event to me, but I was going through some twisties in the mountains Saturday and on one turn I felt some sort of chatter/vibration (the only way I know how to explain it). It was like scraping your pegs over the eyes in the road. The only thing was, was that I wasn't leaning it over that far on that turn. I was giving it throttle and leaning it near to scrape angle, then I felt that "chatter" and let up on the throttle. I didn't push it hard after that and never had the same experience again. Anyone ever feel that? Anyone know what it might be? I have spoked rims and wonder if it could be a loose spoke. It didn't feel like it was from the front of the bike, but still don't know. 
I will be replacing the wheels here shortly. Just curious if anyone had any thoughts.
Thanks.
I will be replacing the wheels here shortly. Just curious if anyone had any thoughts.
Thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 501
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From: Los Angeles
I get front-end chatter when I'm braking. Sometimes it goes away if I brake harder than usual, but it's pretty annoying. The dealer has taken a look at it twice, but I never notice a difference when I get the bike back.
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Road Master
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it was a left hand turn. I have forward controls so would have thought they would have hit prior to the stand, but will check it out. I know the spring is still good, but doesn't mean it wasn't what was hitting. I had leaned it further on earlier turns (in both directions) and didn't get the "chatter". Just was a bit unnerving when it happened. Didn't power through the curves as much after that one... It wasn't a hard vibration, like when the pegs scrape. It is real hard to explain, more like a soft skipping. The only other way I can explain it (from experience) is it was like a wheel/engine wobble (like when it is loose and you get left to right gyration) only much more controlled. Everything is tight though. The only other thing I could think of was the feeling people get prior to True Track installation. But can't understand what they are feeling when they describe it.
I will check the jiffy stand and if I can't find anything I will chalk it up to them damn gremlins and see if it happens again. Now that I know what it feels like I won't be as spooked next time and see what conditions I am in when/if it happens. Oh and pray for it not to happen and/or remain controllable.
I will check the jiffy stand and if I can't find anything I will chalk it up to them damn gremlins and see if it happens again. Now that I know what it feels like I won't be as spooked next time and see what conditions I am in when/if it happens. Oh and pray for it not to happen and/or remain controllable.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 682
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From: Wichita, KS
What was the road surface like? Uphill or downhill? What tires? The only time I've EVER experienced any chatter on any bike is when the tires are near the max limit before washout. And that's what I'm betting this time too. You were on the gas and when you let off, the chatter stopped. Best thing you can do is just not accelerate or dump the gas. Dumping can unload/unsettle what little traction you have left just as easily as gassing it.
Sounds like a good time tho!
Mike
Sounds like a good time tho!
Mike
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Joined: May 2008
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ok, this is the same thing that i was having happen while riding through the texas hill country, well, i checked my oil and it was so low that the oil was not even up to the x's on the dip stick, dont know if this helps you any.
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Road Master
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Speed, yeah, I was going up hill. I have the SE Dunlop 180, and yes I was on the gas. It stopped as soon as I let up on the gas (seemed like 3 distinct... whatevers). And yes that was another of the numerous things going through my head (kind of like the tire was moving laterally across the tread but not really sliding). Yeah it was great... until that point 
Getting ready to change out the rear (still have plenty of tread, but changing the rims out) for Metzler 880's. Maybe they will hold more grip.
Hey Dallas, will check the oil too. I am right at 10K so have to do the service anyway. Like I said a billion and a half things went through my head in the span of about a second. Because I was thinking it also seemed like I lost fuel pickup and it was trying to stall, but my engine seemed to be running fine. Like I said a billion scenarios ran through my head
Getting ready to change out the rear (still have plenty of tread, but changing the rims out) for Metzler 880's. Maybe they will hold more grip.
Hey Dallas, will check the oil too. I am right at 10K so have to do the service anyway. Like I said a billion and a half things went through my head in the span of about a second. Because I was thinking it also seemed like I lost fuel pickup and it was trying to stall, but my engine seemed to be running fine. Like I said a billion scenarios ran through my head
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
That rear should have plenty of grip when on the gas. But, uphill, on the gas, in a curve, suspension fairly well unloaded, the front tire would have been light on the road surface.
I don't like the sound of the oil thought tho. And it's a good thought too. I'm not sure where the oil is scavenged from on this motor, front/back/middle. Personally, I'd think back or middle, but not for sure.
On the fuel thought, where was the fuel level? I guess if the level was low enough that it could have cavitated a bit. Especially with the pump located further forward on the tank.
Later!
Mike
I don't like the sound of the oil thought tho. And it's a good thought too. I'm not sure where the oil is scavenged from on this motor, front/back/middle. Personally, I'd think back or middle, but not for sure.
On the fuel thought, where was the fuel level? I guess if the level was low enough that it could have cavitated a bit. Especially with the pump located further forward on the tank.
Later!
Mike
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jpnelson1978
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Aug 7, 2006 02:23 AM
