Roughness & vibration on RH turns etc?
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 20
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From: PNW (WA)
Roughness & vibration on RH turns etc?
Just completed a 1100 mile trip thru WA to Montana this last weekend with our 85 FLT what a pleasure still on this bike!!. Ran like a dream in the 100* F temps, avg. 44.5 MPG with the S & S!. Here's my quest for you seasoned owners. When I corner to the right at hwy speeds I get a roughness & slight vibration that you can actually feel on the hwy pegs, seat etc, then basically goes away when when you go back straight? Also on deceleration going down steep grades (on compression) I get this roughness, any thoughts??. I thought maybe the primary chain & sprockets. Has new tires & rear belt, chains been adjusted properly, all wheel bearings apparently are good, been repacked. Could be an engine that needs to be aligned properly?, so many things, one could just throw $$$ at it trying to find it. Appreciate any ideas or someone who still drives these old EVO'S who has experienced something like this. If I could fix this it would make almost perfect bike that much more enjoyable! Thanks for any ideas!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Engine alignment, maybe. But if the tires and wheel bearings are OK,I would look at motor mounts, cracked frame, cracked swing arm, or perhaps a bad swing arm bushing/bearing.
John
John
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 957
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From: Carlsbad Springs Ontario
If you have noticed this " roughness " just after changing to new tires , i would suggest that the tires are just wearing in , especially if they are Dunlops.
If the bearings etc. are all ok try riding for a while to get used to the new tires OR take it back to the tire installer and describe your problem.
If the bearings etc. are all ok try riding for a while to get used to the new tires OR take it back to the tire installer and describe your problem.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: PNW (WA)
Thanks for the ideas, I've always felt that it was wheel brgs., but have had them replaced & repacked several times by different shops & they all say there fine. However none have ever checked the run out on the brgs. But I kind of gave up wheel brgs, due to the fact that it is also rough on deceleration going down steep grades at hwy speeds. And also the fact that its smooth on left turns, so odd?. Under acceleration it mostly goes away, kind of makes me think its the chain?. Hasn't been changed since 92 who knows?. As far as a cracked frame, I dobt it the bikes never been abused or hit, also swing arm bushings etc were just looked at everything ok when the belt was replaced a month ago. Sounds like I may have to find a very good indy that has had lots of experience with these old bikes, thanks again!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
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From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
If you have noticed this " roughness " just after changing to new tires , i would suggest that the tires are just wearing in , especially if they are Dunlops.
If the bearings etc. are all ok try riding for a while to get used to the new tires OR take it back to the tire installer and describe your problem.
If the bearings etc. are all ok try riding for a while to get used to the new tires OR take it back to the tire installer and describe your problem.
I'd check what others have said and rear wheel alignment.
And if it's only doing it on right sweepers, well........... sounds like a swing arm bushing issue.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: PNW (WA)
Appreciate the ideas, had the forks rebuilt about 5yrs ago. They seem fine, smooth, anti-dive works etc. The indy that replaced the belt a month ago said the swing arm bushings & shaft were like new? still had the original lube on them & they came apart easy. (theres only about 50,000 miles on this bike). On hard right sweepers, it puts a hell of a strain on everything (2-up fully loaded) maybe the engine mnts, stabilizers flex enough to throw the engine off a little to get this roughness, who knows?. I guess now I can only ride it more & see how much worse it gets? Just hate to do any damage, before its found. I guess my long trips are over for this year anyway, will throw more $$$ at it next Spring. I've spent about 2 grand this past month on it getting it ready for the trip, (new windshield, pass. floor boards, tires & belt. Worth every penny spent, would kind of hate to have to get rid of the old gal now, looked at a new RG Ultra on the trip. They seem so Blah for 23 grand not even a pin stripe on the new ones. Just couldn't due it!. Sorry for the long post, just would like to get this one fixed. This has been going on for quite a long time, but is getting worse, but this is the 1st long trip that I've done for years,usually just short trips, so of course it seems worse now because of the hard driving for hours on end, thanks again!