My love affair with my Dyna is already on the rocks :-(
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
I only bought the bike in January from a main HD dealer with 150 miles on the clock, ex-demo bike. Never had a Dyna before, only Softail, which aren't soft!
Tyres are good and fresh gas. I've fitted lower 'bars of a Night Rod as I hated the apes. Vibration has only started to show up as I've increased the revs as it's now down 600 miles so nearer to final break-in.
One thing I noticed when I had the tank off to do the 'bar wiring was the nut that holds the top engine mount tie-bar to the frame was nearly off, like it had never been tightened properly at the factory. So I tightened it up.
Tyres are good and fresh gas. I've fitted lower 'bars of a Night Rod as I hated the apes. Vibration has only started to show up as I've increased the revs as it's now down 600 miles so nearer to final break-in.
One thing I noticed when I had the tank off to do the 'bar wiring was the nut that holds the top engine mount tie-bar to the frame was nearly off, like it had never been tightened properly at the factory. So I tightened it up.
your cure might be in the adjustment of your engine mount tie bar using your words.. what you are referring to is called the stabilizer link. and yes that needs adjustment.. not just tightened. if its to tight its pulling the engine to your left or right. that small angle alone can cause a strain on your forward and rear isolators...or engine mounts causing it to shake more than usual. lemme try and scan you a diagram of the engine mounts... brb
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Shropshire, England
Cheers for the replies.
I was hoping that the vibes would ease after break-in so I'm going to stick at it. I'll also do the front mount check as mentioned in another thread I've come across.
I much prefer the Dyna over the Softail. Waaaay better handling and a proper riders bike once a few major issues are sorted. I don't mind raw bikes but this vibe thing is more than that. I'm really diggin this bike so want to get it right!
I used loctite on all bolts, I ain't no chump! I'm a time served engineer, I've been riding since a kid and already built a hardtail bobber and in the middle of another custom build.
I'm going to buy some isolator type grips such as the Avons and get it through first service and take it from there.
I was hoping that the vibes would ease after break-in so I'm going to stick at it. I'll also do the front mount check as mentioned in another thread I've come across.
I much prefer the Dyna over the Softail. Waaaay better handling and a proper riders bike once a few major issues are sorted. I don't mind raw bikes but this vibe thing is more than that. I'm really diggin this bike so want to get it right!
I used loctite on all bolts, I ain't no chump! I'm a time served engineer, I've been riding since a kid and already built a hardtail bobber and in the middle of another custom build.
I'm going to buy some isolator type grips such as the Avons and get it through first service and take it from there.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett, TX
I have a new Superglide, with just over 1000 miles. I, too, ride with my fingers on the levers most of the time. I DO have Kuryakyn iso grips, but of course, that doesn't change any vibration I'd feel through the levers.
I don't think my Superglide vibrates any more than my wife's 2005 Sportster. And I can't recall feeling ANY vibration in the control levers... And my mirrors are pretty steady at most any RPM.
I have shimmed the gap in my lower motor mount (per the multitude of threads on the subject in this forum). But my bike only had a gap of about .125". I shimmed it mostly because once I got the bolts out of the mount, I thought it was silly to put it back together without a shim when it only took me about 15 minutes to make one on my mill. But there wasn't much difference in vibration from doing this... maybe it's a little smoother during deceleration, but the rest of the time, I can't say it changed much.
Here's the thing that catches my attention about your issue... you state that you tightened up the top motor mount tie bar nut... But if that nut was loose, your top motor mount may be misaligned. That tie bar is responsible for maintaining the alignment between the engine and the rest of the chassis. If it's out of alignment, I would suspect that could cause your excessive vibration. I think an alignment check and adjustment is called for. Take it to your dealer and have them fix you up.
I don't think my Superglide vibrates any more than my wife's 2005 Sportster. And I can't recall feeling ANY vibration in the control levers... And my mirrors are pretty steady at most any RPM.
I have shimmed the gap in my lower motor mount (per the multitude of threads on the subject in this forum). But my bike only had a gap of about .125". I shimmed it mostly because once I got the bolts out of the mount, I thought it was silly to put it back together without a shim when it only took me about 15 minutes to make one on my mill. But there wasn't much difference in vibration from doing this... maybe it's a little smoother during deceleration, but the rest of the time, I can't say it changed much.
Here's the thing that catches my attention about your issue... you state that you tightened up the top motor mount tie bar nut... But if that nut was loose, your top motor mount may be misaligned. That tie bar is responsible for maintaining the alignment between the engine and the rest of the chassis. If it's out of alignment, I would suspect that could cause your excessive vibration. I think an alignment check and adjustment is called for. Take it to your dealer and have them fix you up.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
Troubleshooting - seems a common occurrence is a member posting something like 'hey ... I've got this problem, can anyone tell me what is wrong ...?' Then ... various other members will hazard a guess based on the symptoms presented ... or ask for more information with which to inform their diagnosis ....
I thought, okay, based upon what I've read online ... what does the manual say ...?
2005 Dyna: Maintenance p. 1-54 to 1-57
* * *
Excessive Vibration:
1. Wheels and/or tires worn or damaged.
2. Engine/transmission/rear whell not aligned properly.
3. Primary chain badly worn or links tight as a result of insufficient lubrication or misalignment.
4. Engine to transmission mounting bolts loose.
5. Upper engine mounting bracket loose.
6. Ignition timing advanced due to faulty sensor inputs (Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) and/or Crank Position Sensor (CKP))/poorly tuned engine.
7. Internal engine problem.
8. Broken frame.
* * *
Check out #6 ... POORLY TUNED ENGINE ... after I installed my ThunderMax with AutoTune, my vibrations decreased by 50% ....
R/
'Chop
I thought, okay, based upon what I've read online ... what does the manual say ...?
2005 Dyna: Maintenance p. 1-54 to 1-57
* * *
Excessive Vibration:
1. Wheels and/or tires worn or damaged.
2. Engine/transmission/rear whell not aligned properly.
3. Primary chain badly worn or links tight as a result of insufficient lubrication or misalignment.
4. Engine to transmission mounting bolts loose.
5. Upper engine mounting bracket loose.
6. Ignition timing advanced due to faulty sensor inputs (Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) and/or Crank Position Sensor (CKP))/poorly tuned engine.
7. Internal engine problem.
8. Broken frame.
* * *
Check out #6 ... POORLY TUNED ENGINE ... after I installed my ThunderMax with AutoTune, my vibrations decreased by 50% ....
R/
'Chop
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Shropshire, England
Before I did the handlebar change and spotted the loose bolt the bike would weave in bends but that has stopped now so it was definitely having a bad effect.
To answer the question concerning state of tune, it's totally stock as it came from the factory.
I'm totally rocking my Street Bob especially with the lower bars. Once I've sorted this vibration issue it's Ohlins shocks and fork upgrade to really get the most out of it.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 894
Likes: 4
From: Newberg OR
Lots of great suggestions here! My best guess would be engine alignment. If it was loose after only 600 miles the dealer needs to set it right! If you're still running stock exhaust and intake then I wouldn't suspect engine tune, however if you've done stage I then that could also be a likely cause.
When you changed out the handle bars, did you change out the bushings? If you had swapped the original rubber for polly bushings you would feel more vibration.
When you changed out the handle bars, did you change out the bushings? If you had swapped the original rubber for polly bushings you would feel more vibration.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 1
From: Cornwall UK
You should,nt be getting that degree of vibration at any speed . They are a little lumpy at tickover, but soon smooth out. I think that you have found the problem with the motor mount, and as mentioned i,d take it to the dealer explaining what you found and ask them to do a full mount check to ensure everything is inline etc.
They are great bikes and with the suspension upgrades you mention even better. I,ve upgraded both front and back and the improvement is worthwhile...especially if you like to "nip" on.
They are great bikes and with the suspension upgrades you mention even better. I,ve upgraded both front and back and the improvement is worthwhile...especially if you like to "nip" on.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Shropshire, England
It does looks like alignment from what most folks say. Mine is a 2010 Street Bob so the handlebars mount directly onto the top yoke with no separate clamps and bushes.
Totally stock engine not even a stage 1.
I do like to press on a bit! Both my previous sportsbikes where Ohlins kitted and to me there is non better. Ground clearance is another issue as I keep grounding out the front muffler. Lots of mods in the pipeline.
Totally stock engine not even a stage 1.
I do like to press on a bit! Both my previous sportsbikes where Ohlins kitted and to me there is non better. Ground clearance is another issue as I keep grounding out the front muffler. Lots of mods in the pipeline.