So......my 1998 Ultra was having a unique vibration that it never had. The handle bars had a death wobble at certain speeds.

I had two wheel weights come off....so I thought the front tire was causing the problem. Balanced again....problem was still there. The wheel bearings were fine.

The front motor mount looked good....

Anyways, while changing the oil and with oil filter removed.....

One bolt was sheared and the nut was gone. The other bolt was very loose.

I can’t believe I missed that while inspecting....even though you can’t see the head of the bolt with oil filter installed.

Good to go again....bike rode like a new one again

 

Hopefully you cleaned up any oil on the threads and used some blue loctite on the bolts and nuts?

Not busting your chops, was going to suggest loctite when I read the title, it just don't work to well on oily threads. YD

 

New bolts and nuts....plus new lock washers. Just a little loctite as well.

 

I use a 3/8x24 fine thread by 3 1/4-in bolt with flat stainless washers and nyloc nuts.. Don't have to worry about them loosening it up anymore.. could be by 3 1/2 inches as well, I don't really remember without checking...

 

If possible please clarify what was loose, broken or missing.
Maybe it is the angle or something but all i see is what looks like a clean silver washer thing below filter mount location.
or
Perhaps the lower stabilizer part (16219-79C) is missing bolt part (4716W) but wire loom running on top of the part makes that a guess.
Then it looks like bottom left corner of picture might have an out of place bolt just laying next to adjuster ..maybe the bolt is for front engine mount bracket part (#47159-79a)?
There is a significant amount of greasing stuff in the area too.
I have a touring model of same year so i would be interested to know..
If a bolt sheared then an investigation should be considered.

 

The OP is referring to the front engine mount..

 

If one was missing you need to go over ALL the engine & trans mounting hardware and retorque to spec, that kind of transmitted vibration can actually wear the softer engine case metal and cause gaps, very commom problem on older iron.

 

Number #9 was the culprit. The empty hole was the one bolt that was sheared. The other bolt was very loose.

All other hardware was tight....

Future oil changes.....I’ll be making sure those bolts are tight with the nut on bottom secured.

 

Same thing happened to my FLTRI. The belt sounded like it was flexing when I went over a hump. Shocked me when I found it. I believe those bolts are Grade 8.

 

Oh ****. Well, after I get my new rear tire on, a new front mount goes on and I'll take a good look then.