How to reduce some vibes from 89'' stroker
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
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From: Canada
How to reduce some vibes from 89'' stroker
Hello, I have a 99 softail and although it worked really well with the stock 80'' engine it was very very gutless. So I had an S&S 89'' bottom end built and then I just put the heads on etc. It runs really good and seems pretty strong but it is like riding a jack hammer! I am always blowing bulbs and having nuts and bolts come loose. Even my gas caps sometimes come loose when you get on it hard. Is there anything I can do to take some of the vibes out? I like my evo but if I ride my brothers twin cam it is really tough to get back on mine.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
Hello, I have a 99 softail and although it worked really well with the stock 80'' engine it was very very gutless. So I had an S&S 89'' bottom end built and then I just put the heads on etc. It runs really good and seems pretty strong but it is like riding a jack hammer! I am always blowing bulbs and having nuts and bolts come loose. Even my gas caps sometimes come loose when you get on it hard. Is there anything I can do to take some of the vibes out? I like my evo but if I ride my brothers twin cam it is really tough to get back on mine.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
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From: Canada
The bottom end was assembled locally and the guy has done lots of good work but the kit itself comes assembled, balanced, and trued. Somebody else told me that going with a 4 5/8'' stroke on a solid mount bike will do this. Had i known it would vibrate like that I wouldnt have done a stroker though!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
I would have preferred to send this privately because I make it a point to not criticize others work, especially in public and am usually quick to call-down anyone who does, but your account is not set up to receive PMs so here's what I've learned over the past several years...
Fact is, you're not the first to have a problem like this with that kit from that place... Those brand wheels are light in weight and that tends to transmit vibes up and down, whereas heavier versions disperse vibration more laterally. Moreover, that manfacturer has been known to balance wheels at a much higher factor to compensate for the loss of mass (weight) of their lighter wheels in an effort to regain kenetic energy (i.e. torque). Properly balanced is balanced - regardless of the bore, stroke or flywheel weight so if your stocker wasn't making it jump up and down, neither should that one. Granted by "nature of the beast", it's not going to be like a 4 cylinder Honda. Every can human makes mistakes... maybe it got out the door without being balanced or the machine had a glitch, or who knows... and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but until it's properly balanced, you'll be unhappy. (I would be)
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
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From: Canada
OK thanks for the information, the engine is already a few years old so I guess I am just going to have to live with it because I can not get into it that deep again at this point in my life.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
I can appreciate that... and I should offer an apology for not asking if it had been that way since day one(?) before I got on my "flywheel" soapbox 
You've probably already been all over it since it's been that way for so long but (as always) a good idea to keep a check on the engine mount bolts and look or any frame fatigue like cracks....
You've probably already been all over it since it's been that way for so long but (as always) a good idea to keep a check on the engine mount bolts and look or any frame fatigue like cracks....
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Interesting stuff here. I had a JIMS stroker crank built into my original evo by a local Harley specialist and it was the smoothest Harley I have ever ridden, although admittedly in a rubber-mount. I have since replaced it with an S&S motor which is far less smooth running, more like my TC88!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: nw alabama
i put a couple fluid balancers on my 98 evo "96s&s" one on the front (crank) and one on the clutch basket... they solved alot of the vibe problems( my feet stay on boards now... when i ride it hard, i can still make the mirrors spin.. dampers smooth things down after you level off at speeds
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: New Mexico-No, you don't need a passport.
I have a 95 flht with an Ultima 89" stroker kit. It does not vibrate excessively. I have rarely had to replace a bulb and if I torque nuts and bolts properly I never have to re-tighten them.
You might want to have a little discussion with the builder about it.
You might want to have a little discussion with the builder about it.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
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From: Canada
Ya I think the rubber mount bikes make ahuge difference compared to my solid mount. Maybe I should look into those fluid balancers? Where do you get them and are they a fairly simple thing to install? Thanks for the info.