I actually started a post on this some time ago, with updates on how alot of us fixed the problem. Now I must say that it just sometimes gets to me when some say "Its a Harley, it vibrates". Well yes it is, but there is a point when excessive is excessive and if yours is not then you have no idea what everyone is talking about, I mean no offense to anyone but there is a documented problem here. Now there is truth to the comment, it will vibrate, but from first hand experience, if it is to the point that it will put your feet to sleep, or just way to annoying, then try to do a search on vibration and you will find some good fixes for the problem. Do not give up, you can get it fixed and when you do you will be very pleased with the results. Good Luck!

 

I thought i was the only one who had a front fender crack at the rivots???? Luckily the dealer replaced it. I have NOT noticed any excess vibes though. I assumed...yeah that word.....the rivot on the fender was punched to close to the edge and thats why it cracked. I think I am gonna go check my mounts!!

 

rkillpartrick
Vibrations can be difficult. Remember, vib's are "sympathetic" in that they are in response to something that is going on elsewhere. (ie: light misfire makes mirrorvib for example) So first thing to do is to make sure that your engine is working as intended. No misfires etc. Secondly, start at your engine and look at every fastener. One bolt grounded to a place it shouldn't be can transmit a VIB. (ie: bolt to long or whatever) Next, loosen all motor mounts and have a good look at them. With them loose, pop the trans in gear and move the bike back and forth. Check the bolts. Are any biding bad? Perhaps a bad mount? Once you settle the engine TORQUE the bolts to spec. TORQUE being the key word. Over-tightened fasteners can also cause Vib's. so loosen, re-position and re-torque everything you see.

I have little to no vib on my 06 SG and after re-setting my neck brg preload, triple tree fasteners, mirror fasteners what little vib I had in my mirriors is vitually gone.

There is a tool I use to use at work call a vibration alalyser. It had a number of leads which were accelerometers going to a tool much like a scan tool. You hooked both to the hard components of a vehicle as well as the ECM. Once you read the vibrations on the road you compared the engine data to the readings from the accelerometers and pinpointed the problem area.

There are two ways to change a vibration.

1. Remove the imbalance in the reciprocating componenet.
2. Change the mass of the component that is sympathetic to the vibration. (ever see those weights hanging on car exhausts? They are to stop sympathetic engine vib or exhaust moan)

Good luck!

 

All,

I too have had and still do experience vibration issues with my 07 Street Bob.

I have been on the education road ever since. Reading as much as I can get my hands on about Harleys; American Iron, the forums, recall information, etc.

My issue was really centered around excess vibrations in the footpegs when decelerating with a load (riding 2-up). I will say that my local service manager took what I had to say as gospel, test rode it at my 1K check-up, but could not feel anything abnormal.

I didn't give up, sited the many issues with faulty, broken, or misaligned motor mounts and he said to bring it back in. Again they test rode it under load, and felt some vibrations this time as I had described. They began the process of shimming the front motor mount, but found the mount itself trashed upon inspection. They (said) they replaced it. I was so grateful that I never asked to see the old one....I should have. The difference riding 2 up was noticable - the vibrations at decel were essentially gone or well-dampened. However, a turn or two of a wrench could have achieved the same result. My continued education does tell me that many (not all) HD dealers try to maximize income and minimize actual work. For those who get things "replaced" then eventually feel those vibrations they thought were fixed return...what does that tell you?

Anyway, my front mount was "replaced"200 miles or so ago. Lately I can feel different vibrations developing when riding solo - mostly at low rpm's and parade-type constant speeds. I always and still do feel vibes at idle - bars vibrate noticably, and anything in the mirrors is ghosted. But once I place my hands on the grips, 50% of it goes away, just by weight being placed on them...and some transferring to my arms of course.

After I start off and reach a comfortable rpm/speed, all seems steady, however I don't understand those who say their mirrors are clear and they can read road signs. At 65mph and above, the wind alone places enough force on the mirrors so that slight ghosting is apparent, and road signs are tough to read - nothing to do with vibration of the bike...just the wind!!!

I notice sometimes that when I decel faster than normal, as the engine rpm's wind down to that point "just before idle" there is a vibration felt through the frame/pegs, etc. Is there another motor mount trashed? Loose? It may just be the personality of the bike - Harleys more than any other bike have personalities all their own.

I guess what I am really trying to say here is that Harley Davidsons are not designed or manufactred to be tight-toleranced, smooth glidingmachines. They are manufactured to maximize a "feel"...that "harley feel" which is NOT in any way, shape, or form like the ride of any other brand of motorcycle - foreign or domestic. They are also manufactured to maximize performance now in this 21st century as well. The marriage of the two don't always end up hand in hand! The introduction of the 96 and the 6-speed have their own design flaws.

Vibrations at idle - exist on just about EVERYsingle Harley model I have ever ridden, seen, or read about. That being the case, I think common sense would tell you that at various rpm's and speeds, rubber-mounted engines (such as the Dynas) are going to present engine vibrations that are as haphazard as the associated riding conditions with which they are presented.

Take any Dyna and ride it at 60 degrees outside temp, with low humidity, at highway speeds (60-80 mph). Now take the very same bike and ride it at 90 degrees outside temp, with 80% humidity, at back roads speed (40-50 mph). I can guarantee that the same bike will ride and feel somewhat different in each case. Vibrations at different speeds, different accelerations, and decelerations will be evident. Maybe in case one, the vibrations at the foot pegs at 30 mph will be maximum, an

 

Well put Dyna Bob. Certainly one must be able to distiguish between the "nature of the beast" and a real problem B4 trying to fix it. Sometimes the problems lies there in itself. Overall, I'm surprisingly happy with the minimal amount of vib in my 06 but then, I have owned older product. Ouch! lol

 

Well and Good on the vibration issue. However, Dynas are rubber mounted meaning the engine and frame are isolated by the motor mounts. Most of this vibration should be of a low frequency type and that would be an acceptable "Harley Vibration". Mine was a high frequeny type and would put my hands to sleep within 20 miles. Almost feels like I'm running a weed eater. If mine Dyna had a solid mounted engine then I would expect vibration, but of the lower frequency variety.

After my motor mount was changed, the difference was night and day. What a pleasure to ride. Before, I had concerns about safety because of the vibration. Anyway, my vibration returned. The HD wrenches did not locate the problem on that, I did. It was my rear sparkplug was loose. Helped fix most of the returned vibration, but not all. It occurs at all speeds, any gear, any RPM. I can pull the clutch in and the vibration stops. I also noticed that in cold weather, when the rubber in the motor mount is cold, the vibration is almost absent.

Check out this post- https://www.hdforums.com/m_565376/tm.htm - It will give you a show and tell of the problem. Pictures - http://spotks.blogspot.com/ Makes the most sense.

 

My 07 bike used to vibrate when it was new. I took the factory pipes off and air box. Then I did a indy 103 build and took off the Se Race tuner and went with a TM A/Tand the builder found the top motor mount loose. Now my bike lost the vibration, runs cooler and better. A far difference from a factory bike.

 

shoulda gotta softail

 

The headlight is my only issue so far -- I don't feel other excessive vibration. I thinj there is something wriong with the headlight itself.

 

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