Switchback vibration
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
My 2012 FLD had the annoying vides from 2900 to 3600 RPM.
So for the past three months I just rode around that rev range no problem.
I have fitted the nightstick and heavy breather for sound and go, not as an attempt to cure the vibes. It made no difference to the vibrations.
A few weeks back decided to look at the mounting bolts as per suggested in one of the threads.
I backed off (loosened) the bolt that screws in at a 90 degree angle to the pipe under the can and screws into the bush that is rubber mounted in the exhaust mounting bracket. removed the bolt completly and then reinstalled it with some locktite but did not do it up hard. It's tight enough but I did not wrench on it hard and the locktite will keep it in there.
To be honest the clamp at the front of the can and the bolt at the rear of the can probably hold most of the weight and this bolt looked like a locator to prevent the unlikley event of the can sliding backwards off the pipe occuring.
End result problem solved, smooth vibes throughout the rev range now without that annoying extra vibe aroung 3000 rpm.
So for the past three months I just rode around that rev range no problem.
I have fitted the nightstick and heavy breather for sound and go, not as an attempt to cure the vibes. It made no difference to the vibrations.
A few weeks back decided to look at the mounting bolts as per suggested in one of the threads.
I backed off (loosened) the bolt that screws in at a 90 degree angle to the pipe under the can and screws into the bush that is rubber mounted in the exhaust mounting bracket. removed the bolt completly and then reinstalled it with some locktite but did not do it up hard. It's tight enough but I did not wrench on it hard and the locktite will keep it in there.
To be honest the clamp at the front of the can and the bolt at the rear of the can probably hold most of the weight and this bolt looked like a locator to prevent the unlikley event of the can sliding backwards off the pipe occuring.
End result problem solved, smooth vibes throughout the rev range now without that annoying extra vibe aroung 3000 rpm.
I just cured mine as well. I had the same bone-rattling vibes from 2800-3200 or so.
Seriously, it was enough to loosen the fillings in my teeth.
I had the TSB M-1324 performed twice by the dealer with no luck...
First thing I tried was loosening the front and rear isolators, 3 full turns, start the bike and run for about 30 seconds (rev a couple times) then torque back to spec.
That helped a bit.
Then I loosened the entire exhaust system and retorqued those back to spec as well, taking care to start at the head flanges and working back.
That helped a LOT.
BUT,the vibes were still very much there, they just weren't transmitting through the whole frame like they were before - IOW it was becoming tolerable.
Then I heard about loosening that flange bolt (center of the picture below)... I just took the damn thing out altogether and the vibes disappeared completely, 100% gone - mirrors are now smooth at all RPM's.
I may try as you did and reinstall it with some red loctite and just leave it loose a couple threads tomorrow.
Last edited by jam436; Jul 31, 2012 at 08:13 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Shim with 2 small washers, between muffler and rubber mount underneath the middle if the muffler, make sure washers are no wider than metal female nut that shows, this worked for me, rubber mount is compressed too far in its stock config. Allowing vibration to travel, good luck...
Banned
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 4
From: California
blah blah blah... I just went to Sturgis SD on my Switchback and had NO problems at all though I think it vibrated all the way there and all the way back... oh ****ing well... maybe I should get a metric next time!
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
I have to add my 2¢... I'm having my 2011 117 Fat Boy Lo serviced at the dealer tomorrow morning. I dropped it off at my lunch break, 28 miles from home, and work, and picked up a 2012 Dyna Switchback w/ 3500 miles for a loaner. It's mostly all highway, 75 mph average traffic. This Switchback vibrates at idle and especially through your body at 75ish mph 2800-3000rpm. Bad. Like when I'd over-reved my counter-balancer bearings. Bad enough it was the first thing I'd talk about it when I got to work and guys want to know how it rides. I got home, and called the dealer to make sure my loaner didn't have engine problems like I'd had, and I would be making it worse to continue to ride it. Next, jumped online and did a search to see if anyone else had had the same problem. This thread was the first one I'd clicked, and I've read every page. My own bike has torque! Numbers I'll have Thursday, we're guessing 150ish pounds of torque at 3300 rpm, and it doesn't vibrate as much as this switchback. Completely stock, average riding dealer bike.
And I will bring it up to the service dept. to a buddy who has a Street Glide, to have road tested.
Thanks
And I will bring it up to the service dept. to a buddy who has a Street Glide, to have road tested.
Thanks
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Vibration.....
So I go out and buy a new switchback, which I have been on softails since mid 90's. I always thought rubber mount is the way to go but I loved the look of the fatboy (owned 4). So now doesn't matter what gear I am in 2900-3300 I can't see a thing in my mirrors. Are you kidding me!!!! Boy am I missing my 09 Fatboy.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 118
Likes: 3
From: Clarksville Tn Home of the Screaming Eagles
Shim with 2 small washers, between muffler and rubber mount underneath the middle if the muffler, make sure washers are no wider than metal female nut that shows, this worked for me, rubber mount is compressed too far in its stock config. Allowing vibration to travel, good luck...
I have seen so much talk of shimming up the mounts. I Just bought this 07 Street Bob and am so disappointed in the vibration between 70-80MPH. I guess I should have researched more and drove it faster when I took it out. Christ it only had 2200 miles on it. Lesson learned. Any other SB owners out there have the same vibration? Anyone found a cure? Shim it up... loosen and re-torque...all of the above?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: IN
Hey guys, I just picked up my new SB on Wed. I have the same vibration as most of you do. My question is would anyone be willing to share the torque specs for the exhaust system? I have tried removing the center bolt on the muffler andputting it back in just snugged with Loctite, neither worked.
Stage II
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colordao
So I just bought a brand new 2012 Switchback with the 103ci, 6 speed. I am a very aggressive rider. I have rode and raced motorcycles most of my life. Anyway, I noticed a major vibration that starts right at 3K rpm's but goes away around 3600 rpm's. From there all the way till redline cut out (5500rpm) the motor runs smooth. Within 300miles I was dragging the floor boards thru the canyon corners shooting sparks...Hell yea were having fun now. I need a steering dampner to reduce a little head shake when I come off the corners hard, but other than that this bike is the best Harley I have owned to date. Ill try spacing the lower muffler mount out to see if it helps this vibration. Thanks for the info, and keep the rubber side down.
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 239
From: northeast
Hey guys, I just picked up my new SB on Wed. I have the same vibration as most of you do. My question is would anyone be willing to share the torque specs for the exhaust system? I have tried removing the center bolt on the muffler andputting it back in just snugged with Loctite, neither worked.
torque as follows
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 239
From: northeast
So I just bought a brand new 2012 Switchback with the 103ci, 6 speed. I am a very aggressive rider. I have rode and raced motorcycles most of my life. Anyway, I noticed a major vibration that starts right at 3K rpm's but goes away around 3600 rpm's. From there all the way till redline cut out (5500rpm) the motor runs smooth. Within 300miles I was dragging the floor boards thru the canyon corners shooting sparks...Hell yea were having fun now. I need a steering dampner to reduce a little head shake when I come off the corners hard, but other than that this bike is the best Harley I have owned to date. Ill try spacing the lower muffler mount out to see if it helps this vibration. Thanks for the info, and keep the rubber side down.