Vibration while pulling in 5th/6th
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
Vibration while pulling in 5th/6th
So I don't feel the vibration in any other gears, only 5th and 6th gears and it's while pulling, example, cruising at 55mph in 5th and roll on the throttle or 6th at about 65 mph and roll on the throttle i get a strong vibration in the pegs up to the seat and in the bars. I know what your thinking, of course there's some vibrations but this in new, I've never noticed it and it's only in 5th and 6th gear. It almost feels like there's a loss of power too?
Anyone else experiencing this type of problem before?
Anyone else experiencing this type of problem before?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
Oh come on......Seriously? I've been riding for a while, and the vibrations only started recently. The book even recommends shifting to 6th at 55mph so why would HD recommend shifting from 4th to 5th at 45 and 5th to 6th at 55 if it's going to bog it down?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
WOW! Don't get your panties in a bunch! There was nothing in your post about how many miles on the bike, what year it is and with a low post count it's easy to assume that you don't know much about the bike. So, I do appologize for my assumption.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Does your owners manual recommend those shift points or the salesman? From your explanations, it sounds like you lugging the engine. Too high a gear for the low speed, looking for that "Harley sound". If the bike is still under warranty ask the dealer to reflash your program, maybe the ECM lost a map or two. Most people I've talk to won't shift to 6th till 65 or 70 mph.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
Does your owners manual recommend those shift points or the salesman? From your explanations, it sounds like you lugging the engine. Too high a gear for the low speed, looking for that "Harley sound". If the bike is still under warranty ask the dealer to reflash your program, maybe the ECM lost a map or two. Most people I've talk to won't shift to 6th till 65 or 70 mph.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
They are full of ****. The dealer has to prove that the pipes did something to void the warranty. Find your sales sheet, and then contact the Motor Company. Some f*cking dealers... I swear.
Anyway, it is pretty much consensus that the manual is at least 5mph off for designating shift points. However, things to think/check:
1. Temperature when you were riding. If it's colder than normal, you'll get more vibrations.
2. Check your front motor mount.
3. Anything changed or serviced in the last couple hundred miles?
Anyway, it is pretty much consensus that the manual is at least 5mph off for designating shift points. However, things to think/check:
1. Temperature when you were riding. If it's colder than normal, you'll get more vibrations.
2. Check your front motor mount.
3. Anything changed or serviced in the last couple hundred miles?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
I got a little more vibes this year as well. I got just about 7k on my bike and like Archer said the colder it is the more vibes. When it's hot outside my bike will cruise in 6th going 60 no problem. I went out yesterday for about 75 miles and it was 56 degrees and it did not like 6th, so I just romped around in 5th. I still have a little more vibes then I remember from last ride season. This weekend I'm going to do a vehicle alignment and shim the front motor mount and see how that does.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 110
From: Mesa, Az.
My bike developed a "shudder" type vibration at cruising speeds ('08 Wide Glide).
Normally I hit 6th gear at about 70 mph, when the shudder started I couldn't use 6th gear below 85 mph because of the vibration. If I was riding 2 up, I couldn't use 6th gear at all.
It seemed to be related to low rpm / high torque situations, like cruising on the freeway. It actually felt like I was lugging the engine when I knew I wasn't.
I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong. I was convinced it was a weak compensator spring pack allowing the torque pulses through that it was supposed to absorb.
The dealer had no way to test the condition of the compensator pack other than to shake it and listen for the rattle of a broken spring. I paid $250 for the SE compensator pack, which is built much stronger (and heavier) than the stock compensator, and had them install it.
That took care of the problem on mine. I can once again ride 2 up at 70 mph with no problems.
Not saying that's the problem with yours, but it might be something to look at if you can't find any other causes.
Normally I hit 6th gear at about 70 mph, when the shudder started I couldn't use 6th gear below 85 mph because of the vibration. If I was riding 2 up, I couldn't use 6th gear at all.
It seemed to be related to low rpm / high torque situations, like cruising on the freeway. It actually felt like I was lugging the engine when I knew I wasn't.
I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong. I was convinced it was a weak compensator spring pack allowing the torque pulses through that it was supposed to absorb.
The dealer had no way to test the condition of the compensator pack other than to shake it and listen for the rattle of a broken spring. I paid $250 for the SE compensator pack, which is built much stronger (and heavier) than the stock compensator, and had them install it.
That took care of the problem on mine. I can once again ride 2 up at 70 mph with no problems.
Not saying that's the problem with yours, but it might be something to look at if you can't find any other causes.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
Joe!!
I hope that's not the problem with mine, but how many miles did you have on your bike when you installed the SE compensator?? What you described is exactly how mine feels and in the same situation.
Thanks!
I hope that's not the problem with mine, but how many miles did you have on your bike when you installed the SE compensator?? What you described is exactly how mine feels and in the same situation.
Thanks!