2012 Fatbob Vibration
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
I can confirm my 2013 FB has a little more vibration than my 2010. It's like RJHD says about the mirrors. On my old one I could make out the girlfriends cheesy grin when she rides up close. This one, I just know she's there, details are more blurry.
It ain't a problem, I'll get used. As long as my fingers don't go white and numb!
It ain't a problem, I'll get used. As long as my fingers don't go white and numb!
As for the quote above.... I guess we don't have to worry about your GF applying makeup while on the FB.
Last edited by MrPeepers; Jun 27, 2013 at 11:03 AM.
I test rode a 2013 Fat Bob at Harley demo weekend and the FB that I rode had a terrible vibration. I rode other Dynas - Wide Glide and a Street Bob and none of them had the vibration that the FB did. I did not know if it was the particular FB that I rode of if it was common to all FB's
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
If it doesn't vibrate until 4k RPM's I really don't think you have a problem. Each bike will have a spot where it vibrates. .nature of the engine really. Tune, exhaust, mounts those are the quick fixes. .but it probably all stems from the guts of the engine including the compensator and crankshaft. Mine vibrates a lot more at higher RPM's and is pretty smooth throughout with certain ranges worse than others.
If the tune, exhaust, mounts are all sound I think you might chase this without resolution. .if it's really bad of course keep going but if it's just a little more vibes than lower RPM's. .you're turning the motor over faster any vibrations should increase steadily with higher RPM?
Matt
If the tune, exhaust, mounts are all sound I think you might chase this without resolution. .if it's really bad of course keep going but if it's just a little more vibes than lower RPM's. .you're turning the motor over faster any vibrations should increase steadily with higher RPM?
Matt
Last edited by mattVA; Jun 27, 2013 at 11:13 AM.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg
Vibration
Most of the vibration feels like in the front pegs, there is nothing until 4000rpm ands stays till red line. The bike is perfect before 4000? I will do a few more checks, undo the top support at the frame between the cylinders, run it for 20 seconds and you should be able to reinstall the bolt without pushing the motor to the right or the left. If it is not lined up I will adjust by undoing the locknut and aligning the bolt to the nut. The only other thing it could be is a faulty motormount, which I shouldn't have to buy when a bike has 2000 miles on it!!! My 09 fatbob and my 09 lowrider was OK to redline. I owned enough bikes to know when something isn't right. If it was in the crank I think the motor would have blown up at 6000 rpm??? Now I have to find it just to know!!!
When I feel vibration, I feel it mostly in the pegs also. However, I rarely get over 4k and hold it there. I have found the sweetspot of the range for me is around 2800. No vibes, just buttery smoothness.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
Most of the vibration feels like in the front pegs, there is nothing until 4000rpm ands stays till red line. The bike is perfect before 4000? I will do a few more checks, undo the top support at the frame between the cylinders, run it for 20 seconds and you should be able to reinstall the bolt without pushing the motor to the right or the left. If it is not lined up I will adjust by undoing the locknut and aligning the bolt to the nut. The only other thing it could be is a faulty motormount, which I shouldn't have to buy when a bike has 2000 miles on it!!! My 09 fatbob and my 09 lowrider was OK to redline. I owned enough bikes to know when something isn't right. If it was in the crank I think the motor would have blown up at 6000 rpm??? Now I have to find it just to know!!!
And to answer your question about blowing the motor up. It won't, at least not for a long time. First to go would be the oil pump and that could take 100k miles, or it could take 20k miles. .just never know.
Last edited by mattVA; Jun 27, 2013 at 01:23 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Jensen Beach Florida
I decided to see if I had any vibration at different RPMs this morning. I took it up to 4K RPM twice today and no vibration. I also went to 5K and I could still see in the mirrors very clearly and there was almost no vibration in them or the pegs. Is your vibration at 4K or a certain mph? Thinking if MPH an out of balance wheel. If not and is RPM I also would suspect the crank. Hope you can get it sorted out. I can say you should not have any vibration. I have stage one with Xied's.
Last edited by craig11dyna; Jun 28, 2013 at 01:36 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
I paid more attention on my last ride. 2800-3200 RPM the mirrors are pretty blurry. 3200-4000 they're much clearer. For me. .could be from the exhaust. It's known to have bad reversion in that range which is hard to tune for. Or it could be from something else. .beats me.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg
Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies. I do have a tach on the bike and it starts at 4000 to redline in any gear. I have also tried 3 different maps in the bike. If it was the crank you would think it would progressively get worse after it starts to higher RPMs??? There is no vibs under 4000 no more than my 09 Fatbob or 09 lowrider???
Thanks for the replies. I do have a tach on the bike and it starts at 4000 to redline in any gear. I have also tried 3 different maps in the bike. If it was the crank you would think it would progressively get worse after it starts to higher RPMs??? There is no vibs under 4000 no more than my 09 Fatbob or 09 lowrider???
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg
Update
So I ended up taking the bike in to an HD dealer... I told them what I checked including the exhaust, (pulled shields off and tested to see if vibration would be gone) because the rear shield was very close to the timing cover. I also had checked the motor mounts to make sure they were tight. I bought an inclinometer to check the alignment from the front and rear rotors. The HD dealer didn't even know about the bullettin on the front motormount! Tey swapped out the front motormount, and it didn't do a thing. They said any furthur checking they would not get paid by HD warranty! They did agree there is an excessive vibration at 4000RPM, and would address it if it was in the normal riding range??? What the **** is that? Its a new bike with 300 miles on it. I took the bike back and said they better remember me if I come back in a year with something blown!!! They said as long as they have record?? If I don't find the problem by next summer I will sell the bike! I will do more troubleshooting and watch the forms for any info concerning my problem!!! THX for any info you supplied!!!