A crazy loud rattle.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
I know it's hard to tell exactly where a noise comes from when riding but if it's from the rear rather than the middle of the bike, I'd concentrate on the brake area, especially if it doesn't do it on a hard decel (no brake) Look for loose rotor bolts and I've yet to actually see one cracked, but look very closely for a cracked rotor especially near the bolts. And I can't tell for sure, but if you're running a spoke rear wheel - suspect that for loose spokes or cracked wheel.
Last edited by t150vej; Jun 2, 2010 at 08:25 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: North Atlanta Area, GA
It's probably unlikely that the swingarm bushings are the root cause of this, but you never know. If the rear end is loose due to the swingarm bushings, it wouldn't handle very well at any time. Does it weave or "rearsteer" like baggers are famous for? But if you are running the P.O.S. stock cleveblocs and original isolators, they likely need to be replaced anyway - along with the front motor mount.
This is starting to sound more and more like some weird rear brake issue though, since it only happens when you apply the rear brake. Unlikely that your rear rotor is actually loose - but stranger things have happened. It could also be cracked, as was pointed out. The caliper could also be cracked, or perhaps in dire need of a rebuild. I'd check out all of those things thoroughly.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Richmond, VA
I don't typically ride her hard as almost all the riding I do is two up and loaded down. But just cause you guys think its a possible concern, I just took her out solo. I nailed it in first gear and banged second. Lets just say my hands are still shakin' as I am typing. I seriously almost died. Rear end COMPLETELY turned to a marshmallow when I grabbed second gear hard. Got up to speed and did some serious power shifting "just to confirm" I didn't just hit a freak slick of oil or something. For sure the rear end is loose and floppin' around under power....like BIG Time!
I stopped at my Indy and for 70 bucks he has in stock the V-Twin bushing kit that goes in the swing arm. I'm gonna probably pick that up and install it. Its the kit with 4 white solid plastic type bushings. He thinks that should solve most if not all my issues. I guess we'll see. I won't have time to tear the bike down till the weekend, but I'll post back with the results when I do. He suggested motor mounts as well, but one thing at a time.
I stopped at my Indy and for 70 bucks he has in stock the V-Twin bushing kit that goes in the swing arm. I'm gonna probably pick that up and install it. Its the kit with 4 white solid plastic type bushings. He thinks that should solve most if not all my issues. I guess we'll see. I won't have time to tear the bike down till the weekend, but I'll post back with the results when I do. He suggested motor mounts as well, but one thing at a time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
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From: Eagle River WI
I think (might be wrong ) there are no replacement bushings for this swingarm ! Get the rear end up off the ground Take the bottom shock bolts off grab the swingarm assembly (wheel and all ) see if the swingarm is sloppy I would bet on the 2 tapered roller bearings (left side of swingarm ) are trash The right side of the swingarm doesn't have bearings Keep us informed
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From: Richmond, VA
SOB!!!! Well, for those of you who guessed motor mounts, you were correct. I pulled the swing arm off (which was a friggen ton of work by the way) and found out a few things. First, it WAS in fact loose, but that was not the cause of the rattle. Second, there are NO rubber bushing of any kind in it. For starters, there is nothing more than a roller bearing on the left side and a giant solid plug on the right that the axle goes threw. Yeah, not even a bearing on the right side. So its more like a Shovelhead swing arm with 1 roller bearing missing. So I repacked the one and only bearing and put it back on. With the bike stripped down and secured, I was able to pry up and down on the motor. For sure the front motor mount is giving way and allowing the motor to bounce around, and the oil tank and pan are hitting what looks like the frame and or swing arm. The back mounts doesn't seem as bad. I'm now gonna go the the stealership, get a front mount and put it in. That "should" fix it. I may put the back in is well, but at $150 per mount, I'll do one at a time since you don't get a group discount for buying both. Anyways, thats my update. Motor mounts.
Last edited by bikerlaw; Jun 5, 2010 at 07:42 AM.
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From: Richmond, VA
Well, maybe I spoke too soon. I just installed the new front motor mount....and ZIPPO! Still bangin' away. I guess I'll try doing the rear next. I have screwed this project up so freakin' bad that I can honestly say I would have saved a bundle of cash had I just taken the bike to any local dealer, showed him the noise and said...."hey, fix that". And thats a pretty sad state.