Vibration
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 46
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From: CA Bay area
Vibration
Ok here's another question I'm sure has been asked before. How much engine vibration on an 88FXR should be normal. At 45 to 50 my eyes are a little blurry, and my hands feel like they're going to sleep. Had a new front motor mount put in, and looks fine.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
That is not fine! Bike should be reasonably smooth throughout the rev range. You most certainly should not be getting bllurrrred vvissionn.
Difficult to know where to point you. Check the exhaust is not touching anything it shouldn't. It is mounted (or should be) to the engine/trans, so it moves with them. If you have a support to the frame for example, that will wreck your ride! There are rubber engine mounts at the rear as well, either end of the swingarm axle, so they may be shot. Another possible source of vibration is the handlebar mounts, which again are rubber.
Let us know what you find.
Difficult to know where to point you. Check the exhaust is not touching anything it shouldn't. It is mounted (or should be) to the engine/trans, so it moves with them. If you have a support to the frame for example, that will wreck your ride! There are rubber engine mounts at the rear as well, either end of the swingarm axle, so they may be shot. Another possible source of vibration is the handlebar mounts, which again are rubber.
Let us know what you find.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 628
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From: Sweden via Bisbee, Az.
Did the vibration increase after your new motor mount?
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 601
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From: Aruba
All Softails are solid mount. The engine is actually part of the support of the frame. The TC's have a different engine for the Softails which are balanced. The Evo's don't which is why the Evo Softails have more vibration than the other Evos.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 46
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From: CA Bay area
Yes this my first HD. A friend of mine replace the front mount for me, but not the rear that I i guess are in the swing arm. Also not sure if the engine stabilizer has anything to do with it, but it looks like it's original. The vibration really tickles my nose so much that I can't get my visor up fast enough to scratch it
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Road Captain
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
There are two stabilizers, one in front of the engine and the other between the heads. They have swivel joints at each end that should be free to move. If one had rusted solid I suspect it could cause vibration, but I also expect engine vibration would free it! The engine/trans weight is supported by the rubber mounts, the stabilizers only provide lateral support.
The rear mounts are at the end of the swingarm axle, between swingarm and frame, not inside the swingarm. Sounds like you could usefully get yourself a factory service manual! Essential bedtime reading. Not one of the cheap brands.
The rear mounts are at the end of the swingarm axle, between swingarm and frame, not inside the swingarm. Sounds like you could usefully get yourself a factory service manual! Essential bedtime reading. Not one of the cheap brands.
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