abrupt change
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro, KY
abrupt change
Riding the other morning I experienced an abrupt change in my bike. I was cruising along about 60 mph and slowed down to make a hard right turn, when I made the turn and started to accelerate the bike had a distinct vibration.
Bike is a 2009 road king classic 12K miles and basically all stock other than exhaust.
Vibration was in all gears and would go away if I pulled on the clutch and coasted. I shut the bike down pretty quickly and hauled the bike home.
Pulled the primary to inspect compensator and the bolt broke loose with about 100 ft-lb. Other than not being as hard to get the bolt loose as I thought it would be everything looked good. Also inspected the clutch while it was apart, that looked good.
Found the exhaust was not as tight as it should have been on the front or back at the motor but not loose.
Tried jacking up the motor to see if motor mounts were bad and the mounts seemed OK, the frame lifted with the motor. Bolts were tight there as well.
After putting it all back together the vibration is better, but not gone. Mainly feel it in the floor boards.
What's next (I really don't want to check run out on the flywheel, I'm afraid of what I may find)
Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.
Bike is a 2009 road king classic 12K miles and basically all stock other than exhaust.
Vibration was in all gears and would go away if I pulled on the clutch and coasted. I shut the bike down pretty quickly and hauled the bike home.
Pulled the primary to inspect compensator and the bolt broke loose with about 100 ft-lb. Other than not being as hard to get the bolt loose as I thought it would be everything looked good. Also inspected the clutch while it was apart, that looked good.
Found the exhaust was not as tight as it should have been on the front or back at the motor but not loose.
Tried jacking up the motor to see if motor mounts were bad and the mounts seemed OK, the frame lifted with the motor. Bolts were tight there as well.
After putting it all back together the vibration is better, but not gone. Mainly feel it in the floor boards.
What's next (I really don't want to check run out on the flywheel, I'm afraid of what I may find)
Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,877
From: Oklahoma
That's a lot of work so far. I would have started with the easy stuff first. Check for engine codes especially for ones indicating one cylinder isn't firing correctly. Miss, O2 sensor high or low, spark or spark plug problem. Have you done anything to the bike recently, even a wash job especially with a garden hose or high pressure car wash? A plug on a fuel injector have have loosened or a wire may have broken internally. Check for loose battery cables, a loose cable can cause stuff seemingly totally unrelated to the battery. Had you just refueled? Sudden onset for a vibration is far more frequently an engine misfire or dead cylinder than it is a sudden loss of balance in drive components. Not impossible, just unlikely.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Loose heat shield that is vibrating? If I remember correctly there is a cut out by the rear brake foot control that leaves about 1/8 an inch clearance between the pedal and the heat shield.
My other brainstorm is to raise the front off the ground and check for a front wheel bearing or stuck brake caliper.
That's all from this peanut gallery.
My other brainstorm is to raise the front off the ground and check for a front wheel bearing or stuck brake caliper.
That's all from this peanut gallery.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,877
From: Oklahoma
Does the machine still have the factory compensator? Do you get a loud metallic bang when you hit the starter or a "box of rocks rattling sound from primary especially at lower rpms when in gear? Even with a tight mounting bolt the weak factory comp can cause quite a bit of vibration.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro, KY
Stock Compensator but no noises when starting etc.
I've looked at exhaust and all looks good.
This was the first ride of more than just a trip around the block with a new battery. I did have to jump the bike also prior to the battery.
If there is a code will check engine light be lit? Can I check the codes myself? Sorry for a rookie question.
I like the sound of a Problem not internal to be sure.
I'll check battery connections and plug wires
I've looked at exhaust and all looks good.
This was the first ride of more than just a trip around the block with a new battery. I did have to jump the bike also prior to the battery.
If there is a code will check engine light be lit? Can I check the codes myself? Sorry for a rookie question.
I like the sound of a Problem not internal to be sure.
I'll check battery connections and plug wires
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,681
Likes: 8,413
From: Utah
You can check the codes. Here's a link to show you how.
http://www.fuelmotousa.com/p-29661-h...ble-codes.html
http://www.fuelmotousa.com/p-29661-h...ble-codes.html
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Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro, KY
Thanks for all the help guys. This is greatly appreciated.
I checked for codes and it had 2
P1511 EFI Power Management Mode
P2101 EFI Motor Circuit Range Performance (Actuation Error)
Couldn't clear the codes and start the bike yet. Just put little ones to bed and don't want to mess that up.
I'm near owensboro ky. I'll add to profile.
I checked for codes and it had 2
P1511 EFI Power Management Mode
P2101 EFI Motor Circuit Range Performance (Actuation Error)
Couldn't clear the codes and start the bike yet. Just put little ones to bed and don't want to mess that up.
I'm near owensboro ky. I'll add to profile.