Why do Harley's shake so much at stops?

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Mar 25, 2013 | 08:36 PM

#21

Uncle G.

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2010

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From: Upstate New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanners39

Its because the Softtail was always a rigid mounted motor and they didn't wanna redesign the frame.

The balanced motor is more complex.

Harley wanted to keep the traditional look of a rigid mounted engine for the Softail line, with the frame hugging the engine closely. A rubber mounted engine would spoil the look, so the engineers created the internally balanced engine.

Mar 25, 2013 | 09:04 PM

#22

1997bagger

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Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 5,078

Likes: 2,150

From: Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da-mack

The famous Milwaukee Vibrator.

Finally someone gets it, I also pull a plug a wire off when the old lady is on the bike with several waterhole stops, vodka & cranberry in her and it's a redneck honeymoon without a diamond ring. I'm all over this one

Mar 25, 2013 | 09:07 PM

#23

heritageblue2013

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 4,922

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From: Running with the gators

Shaking at stop lights is to keep you from falling asleep if your drunk riding home from the bar

Mar 26, 2013 | 05:44 AM

#24

grbrown

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Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

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From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL-kruzen

My question is why would they have a balanced engine and a rubber mounted engine? Why not have a rigid mounted balanced engine in the touring models? There got to be a reason other than tradition?

There is more to this than meets the eye! Traditional Harleys were solid mount and the current engines with balancer shafts are made to maintain that tradition. However they are heavier and the balancing system is a compromise, it also uses up power that could otherwise be used to propel the bike.

The other model ranges have rubber-mounted engines that isolate the rider and delicate bike stuff from both primary and secondary vibration. Primary is engine speed and gives the shaking that was commented on. Secondary are harmonics, ie higher frequencies, the sort of vibration that can give white finger and can destroy electronics.

This is actually a better engineering solution than the balancer engine and less restrictive on engine and bike performance. Using the balancer engine in a touring bike would add unnecessary weight and restrict performance. If it gave superior results I am sure the MoCo would have done it by now!

Last edited by grbrown; Mar 26, 2013 at 05:54 AM.