Front Motor Mount Shim-With Pics
I changed mine out a little bit ago, it helped take quite a bit of vibration out although there is still a strong buzz in the pegs. At least it's not the whole bike buzzing now, my teeth aren't chattering anymore in sixth gear.
I snapped some pictures, the process is really easy. I went ahead and did like some of you and picked up some longer SS bolts and extra washers to fill up the gap. I had to pick my engine up another 1/2 inch or so to get the new mount to line up with the frame correctly.
Gap in the old mount:
Old mount on left, new on right. You can see the sag of the old mount and where it looks like the rubber had started cracking.
I didn't have enough washers to fill the entire gap but it was pretty close.
All tightened up!
I snapped some pictures, the process is really easy. I went ahead and did like some of you and picked up some longer SS bolts and extra washers to fill up the gap. I had to pick my engine up another 1/2 inch or so to get the new mount to line up with the frame correctly.
Gap in the old mount:
Old mount on left, new on right. You can see the sag of the old mount and where it looks like the rubber had started cracking.
I didn't have enough washers to fill the entire gap but it was pretty close.
All tightened up!
No problem man! I put a 2x4 and a 1x6 under jiffy stand and slid the jack in to take the pressure off the rubber mount. You can pull the bolts out without the jack and you will see how far the motor drops down then just slide the jack under to pick it up far enough to get the holes lined up on the new mount. I had to pick it up enough to take about half the pressure off the front forks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 27
From: Australia
Hi,
Good one, i got just under 30000kms on my 2010, vibration reasonable and smooths out as i get into 6th,
But very hard to stop oil hitting mount when you do oil change so i know the front mount will need changing sometime
Thanks
Mirrmu
Good one, i got just under 30000kms on my 2010, vibration reasonable and smooths out as i get into 6th,
But very hard to stop oil hitting mount when you do oil change so i know the front mount will need changing sometime
Thanks
Mirrmu
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane, Australia
I usually work out the air gap space, which in my case is around 5mm, put spacers in and bolt it to the frame first, then lower the motor onto the mount and bolt it on the mount last. Small hi frequency vibes still in the 27/30 rev range, but only in the higher gears. I try to keep under 27 in 6th so its smooth and stay over 3500 revs in lower gears when hooking through the mountains. It's absolutely dead smooth at 33/45 revs in 2nd, 3rd and sometimes 4th when giving it a hiding. There is almost no shaking in the mirrors at idle once hot.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 20
From: Fort Bragg, NC
When I replaced my front motor mount, I too noticed the sag.. I put the mount in place, and noticed the if I were to bolt it back up directly, it would pull the mount out of it's casing to mate up with the motor. I added 3-1/2" G8 washers. Been a year now and mount stands as if it were still new. If I get a chance tomorrow, I'll post a pic.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
I shimmed my front mount about 30000 miles ago. I would advise that before you simply shim the motor, that you do the vehicle alignment procedure first.. or at least the part where you loosen all the motor mounts, start and run the engine for about 20 seconds, shut it off and tight the mounts back up. THEN, check to see if you need shims.
As well, these bikes eat front motor mounts for lunch. I replaced mine before riding season this year, and there was a good 3/8" difference between the rubber locations.
If your handling has changed, and you're getting vibrations... check, then replace your front motor mount. Do the 'settling in' procedure, then check to see if you need shims, and shim it.
As well, these bikes eat front motor mounts for lunch. I replaced mine before riding season this year, and there was a good 3/8" difference between the rubber locations.
If your handling has changed, and you're getting vibrations... check, then replace your front motor mount. Do the 'settling in' procedure, then check to see if you need shims, and shim it.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Novato, CA
Sounds like everyone is focusing on the front mount, why not the rear? Less strain on rear mount?
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The second reason IMO the front mount is more focused on is it gets oil on it from changing the oil filter. The oil eventually degrades the rubber making it more pliable/soft which thus creates an even more sagging affect. If you can see in some of the pictures the old mounts are also "expanded" compared to the new ones. This is a cause of the oil, when the rubber expands instead of acting as a damper it will actually allow the vibrations to spread.
Last edited by override; Nov 10, 2013 at 11:12 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
The front and rear mounts, though they look similar, have different properties. The rear is reinforced with steel plates through the rubber for instance.
The engine pivots on the rear mount, leading to the nodding effect you see at the front cylinder. The front mount then absorbs some of this front to back motion. The rear mount, however, absorbs mostly left-right motion when, for instance, cornering.
Of the two, the front mount is the least well designed and yet the one that has the most movement to handle. Fixing the front mount is the priority, with the rear doing an adequate job already.
The engine pivots on the rear mount, leading to the nodding effect you see at the front cylinder. The front mount then absorbs some of this front to back motion. The rear mount, however, absorbs mostly left-right motion when, for instance, cornering.
Of the two, the front mount is the least well designed and yet the one that has the most movement to handle. Fixing the front mount is the priority, with the rear doing an adequate job already.