balanced shovelhead
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 864
From: Sheboygan, WI
balanced shovelhead
ok guys, here's what I have. The engine in my bike was supposedly balanced, I even have the balance weight sheet for it from when it was put together. However, when I take her up over 65 or so, it vibrates the floorboards enough that my feet tingle pretty good. Did they do a crappy balance job, or is this normal because the floorboards bolt right to the engine?
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 3
From: Denver
I would check and d-check all motor mounts, Especially the top one. If it comes loose, major vibration. Also have seen lots of cracked frames. Especially the seat post area down under the oil tank. Check that area carefully.
A bigger trans sprocket will lower RPMs at speed too. Makes the Shovel much more comfortable at hgwy speed.
A bigger trans sprocket will lower RPMs at speed too. Makes the Shovel much more comfortable at hgwy speed.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 864
From: Sheboygan, WI
yeah, it's a 74" with a 86" stroker kit in it. I bought it almost a year and a half ago, and did some work on it this year so I could ride it. Didn't really run worth a crap for a bit, so I didn't really notice the vibration for a bit, cuz it wouldn't go that fast. Now it runs great, but I don't think i'd want to go with a bigger trans sprocket, because as it is I don't like shifting into fourth gear under 50-55 especially with a passenger because the engine lugs otherwise
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 20
From: Eagle River WI
Strokers are vibrators On a 93 ci shovel I built (4 3/4 stroke ) I installed a Terry Fisher balancer on the front motor pulley This did help But it was still a fast vibrating beast ! Again rubber isolated floorboards should help and maybe 3 beers before you ride !!
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 3
From: Denver
yeah, it's a 74" with a 86" stroker kit in it. I bought it almost a year and a half ago, and did some work on it this year so I could ride it. Didn't really run worth a crap for a bit, so I didn't really notice the vibration for a bit, cuz it wouldn't go that fast. Now it runs great, but I don't think i'd want to go with a bigger trans sprocket, because as it is I don't like shifting into fourth gear under 50-55 especially with a passenger because the engine lugs otherwise
What rear sprocket are you running? Needs to be a 51.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 864
From: Sheboygan, WI
I haven't counted the teeth on the sprockets yet, i'll do that this winter when I tear the thing down to get rid of the oil leaks and such. Thanks guys, I figured that was just the nature of the beast, but i'll have to see about the isolated floorboards...
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I believe stock gearing on the final drive was 23/51. If you put a 46 on the rear, it will probably put a lot of your vibration in the 80+ mph range. 65 to 70 will be pretty smooth. Those stroker motors like a lot of gear, and they pull sooooooo good on the big end.
When I was running a shovel on the drag strip, I pulled the motor/trans every year, and every year I found the frame either cracked or broke where the crossmember was attached to the frame, on the left side, under the primary.
When I was running a shovel on the drag strip, I pulled the motor/trans every year, and every year I found the frame either cracked or broke where the crossmember was attached to the frame, on the left side, under the primary.
Last edited by AlCherry; Jul 17, 2011 at 06:40 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 17
From: MI
I been runnun shovels 29 years, about 10 years on a stroker. 65 MPH is about the sweet spot for shovels. I run a 24T tranny sproket and a drum rear. The gearing that these guys are talking about helps, but these old girls aint BMWs. Besides momma likes the vibes....
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