Vibration with initial acceleration which then subsides
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Stage II
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2
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From: Indiana
Vibration with initial acceleration which then subsides
Hi, I have a 2009 Sportster 1200 custom. Let me start off by saying I made a huge mistake taking it to get a new clutch at power sports place. After riding it with the new clutch I noticed it wasn't right. I took it to Harley who stated the clutch was "very out of tune". After the tuning and complete inspection of the clutch (which is tuned great now), there is vibration when I accelerate after shifting which subsides as I gain speed. The vibration starts again with every shift and always subsides when I accelerate and gain speed. Harley took it completely apart and said everything looks fine. Does anyone have any ideas? I would have thought maybe the clutch plates are worn after using it out of tune for a while. I'm at a loss.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 507
Likes: 233
From: Perkasie Pa
How do you tune a clutch?? I would pull the clutch apart, install a Energy 1 or Barnett clutch that eliminates the grenade plate (spring plate) check clutch basket and hub very carefully for burrs and follow directions for reassembly.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
You can tune a piano but you can't tune a clutch. A clutch is adjusted, not tuned. HD says clutch is good. So at what rpm are you shifting at? Sportsters are made to rev. If you are shifting at too low of a speed, you are lugging the engine. How can you tell if it's lugging, you ask. It will shake, and vibrate till the rpm get higher. Lugging the engine will eventually destroy the bottom end over time.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,585
Likes: 4,019
From: San Diego, CA
Did you take the bike to the place that did the clutch install? What did they say? Why didn't they try to fix the issue?
Have you checked your motor mounts? That could cause a vibration for sure.
Can you tell us what kind of clutch repair was done at the original shop? Did they install new clutch plates? Did you get a receipt and could you post up a photo? It sounds like you are a bit unfamiliar with motorcycle nomenclature. Posting a photo of the receipt can tell others what parts were installed, and we can provide more insight from there.
Right now, we're playing "three blind men and the elephant" and it's hard to get a complete picture of what happened.
It takes some special tools to remove the clutch plates, and some mechanical skills, so let's see if we can diagnose the real problem before you open your wallet again.
John
Have you checked your motor mounts? That could cause a vibration for sure.
Can you tell us what kind of clutch repair was done at the original shop? Did they install new clutch plates? Did you get a receipt and could you post up a photo? It sounds like you are a bit unfamiliar with motorcycle nomenclature. Posting a photo of the receipt can tell others what parts were installed, and we can provide more insight from there.
Right now, we're playing "three blind men and the elephant" and it's hard to get a complete picture of what happened.
It takes some special tools to remove the clutch plates, and some mechanical skills, so let's see if we can diagnose the real problem before you open your wallet again.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Sep 4, 2020 at 08:22 AM.
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2
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From: Indiana
Apologies the clutch was adjusted to back to factory by the dealer.The new clutch installed( by Powersports place) was a Harley Davidson factory clutch with new clutch plates. The vibration is new as I've owned this harley for 6 years now and have never noticed it before when I change gears and accelerate. So I do not think it is a "user error" so to speak. I did not take the clutch back to the place since I felt something wrong twice and wanted it looked at by people who knew what they were doing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,297
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From: Florida
You can tune a piano but you can't tune a clutch. A clutch is adjusted, not tuned. HD says clutch is good. So at what rpm are you shifting at? Sportsters are made to rev. If you are shifting at too low of a speed, you are lugging the engine. How can you tell if it's lugging, you ask. It will shake, and vibrate till the rpm get higher. Lugging the engine will eventually destroy the bottom end over time.
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