2009 Street Glide. 42k miles. 96" with Andrews 48s, Fuel Moto adjustable pushrods and PC V also from Fuel Moto, V&H 2 into 1 exhaust. I have a vibration I have been chasing for 3 years now. I have Jaybrake forward controls and I can feel a vibration on my feet every time I go up any sort of an incline in town or on the highway. It feels like metal on metal whatever it is. With the cruise set on the highway as soon as I start to climb a hill, the vibration starts. As soon as I reach the top, the vibration goes away. As I descend the hill, it sometimes comes back as the "engine braking" kicks in. If I have the cruise set at 60 mph on a flat highway and twist the throttle, it vibrates. Here is what I have checked so far:
Exhaust is tight
Held my foot on kickstand while climbing hills to see if that was vibrating
Switched from stock compensator to SE compensator
Switched from SE compensator to Baker compensator
Switched from Baker back to SE compensator
Primary chain has 5/8 " play when cold
Checked front motormount
Checked upper motormount
Checked every other nut and bolt I could find including foot pegs
Final drive belt within spec as checked with the proper tool from Motion Pro
Rear shocks are tight
I have been over this bike many times since I bought it new and I simply cannot find the cause of this vibration. I am temped to completely disassemble the engine this winter and see if it is possibly something in the lower end causing this. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

It's been 3 years you say? Maybe you should change your user name? Sorry, couldn't resist

 

probably normal.
what happens if you add a little throttle??
when you go uphill, you change loading on the engine and depending upon gear ratio, the load can show up with diff ranges. what does the fuel trim look like, if you can, log the situation for analysis.
there are some things to consider but not necessarily the cause.
the o2 sensor can cause surge and sometimes a miss so slight that it will be hardly detectable.
the map sensor can cause issues with load change.
the tps can cause issues if output isn't steady and linear.
try dropping a gear to see it that helps.

 

What gear are you in going up hill at 60mph with the cruise control on?

 

5th gear at 55-60 MPH . About 2700 rpm. It does not even take a big hill to make it do it. Any time the engine has to pull a little more is when it does it but the rps don't even drop so I don't think it's a "lugging" issue.

 

Wild guesses, but steering head bearings? Bearings in the front wheel hub?
Something within the forks? Sounded like it was coming from forward, non-engine related mass, felt through the forward controls the way you described.
Plus, I wonder if loading the front end with an incline does something.

 

I had thought of head bearings myself as well. Did the swing test and all was good. I am reminded of why I changed out the SE comp though. Sounds like ball bearings in a coffee can!

 

Have you checked the frame for cracks or cracked welds?

 

That's a scary thought but I haven't done that yet. Next on my list.

 

One more thing that just came to mind: Even though a nut or bolt may seem tight, it may not be securing or clamping whatever item it is supposed to, due to an isufficiently tapped hole or other issue.