sudden vibration?
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 828
Likes: 8
From: western Mass
sudden vibration?
Ok, I'm at a loss here and I'm hoping for some good suggestions! Today, after riding all day, was just about to head home when I THOUGHT I heard some sort of slight noise, almost like something breaking. At this point, I noticed a change in handling/feeling. Can't really put my finger on it, just the bike felt different. Thought I felt some slight (not normal) vibration, and MAYBE some sort of subtle noise that doesn't seem quite right. The bike seemed to handle normally, and I had no problems getting home. Got it up on the lift, but can't find any obvious problem. The ONLY thing I did notice was there seems to be some "Play" in the lower front motor mount, and I can see some shiny metal above the rubber bushing. also, a couple weeks ago I changed the rear tire... Any ideas? Because of the wonderful economy, my discretionary budget turned to zero about 2 years ago, so things are real tight, otherwise I'd just go to a shop/dealer.
Thanks for any insight!
Thanks for any insight!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
I don't know if anyone has actually been able to feel it, but the fairing brackets have been known to break with the vibration of the bike. If it you can't figure it out, it may be worth just pulling the outer fairing and taking a look.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Tn
I thought the exact same thing. Mine broke, and it about shook my teeth loose. Its a good place to start......ie easy to rule out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,547
Likes: 7,153
From: Oxford, Nc
Most of my mystery vibrations have been associated with exhaust bracket issues, but I like the fairing bracket suggestions too.
As for the shiny metal above the front motor mount bushing, ( under the plate I assume,) that's correct. Motor mount failure happens when the plate actually rests directly on the rubber, and not on the metal sleeve.
As for the shiny metal above the front motor mount bushing, ( under the plate I assume,) that's correct. Motor mount failure happens when the plate actually rests directly on the rubber, and not on the metal sleeve.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Western NY
Seeing that you recently had the rear tire replaced you may also want to check and see if you lost a wheel weight...might just be out of balance now if your noticing this mainly at highway speeds. Good luck...
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
when the exhaust brkt that bolts to my transmission gets loose I feel the vibration right away. So I agree w/Stiggy that exhaust is a good place to start looking.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 828
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From: western Mass
I appreciate the responses/suggestions. After checking inside the fairing, I found BOTH of the small silver brackets (the ones between the main brackets and the speakers) broken! Hard to believe something like that could cause such a noticeable effect throughout the whole bike! But I have heard this a lot on here. SO, hopefully the dealer has some, and that solves the problem! Thanks again.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
You may be spot on. I a motormount is broke, there'll be vibration.
I had the problem on my last bike. Once I got one taken care of and the stress subsided, all of a sudden the vibration was back. WTF? Took it back to the dealership again and an other motor mount was broken.
Both relatively easy fixes but they caused a lot of unneccessary stress for awhile. Others above have suggested other possabilities.....wheel weights, fairing mount, exhaust clamp, etc. Check all of those first.
If you still can't find it, you might want to open your primary and start checking things.....Your compensator nut, primary chain, adjuster, clutch, etc.
Good luck with it......hope it's something relatively easy to fix and doesn't cost much. Of course we all always hope for that. Extended warranty is well worth it's money.....especially when money is really tight.
I had the problem on my last bike. Once I got one taken care of and the stress subsided, all of a sudden the vibration was back. WTF? Took it back to the dealership again and an other motor mount was broken.
Both relatively easy fixes but they caused a lot of unneccessary stress for awhile. Others above have suggested other possabilities.....wheel weights, fairing mount, exhaust clamp, etc. Check all of those first.
If you still can't find it, you might want to open your primary and start checking things.....Your compensator nut, primary chain, adjuster, clutch, etc.
Good luck with it......hope it's something relatively easy to fix and doesn't cost much. Of course we all always hope for that. Extended warranty is well worth it's money.....especially when money is really tight.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 450
Likes: 2
Well, hopefully it was just the brackets, and that solves your problem. I have seen a thread where this problem was fixed with some $2 angle (L) brackets from the hardware store and some $0.5 bolts and washers, drilled and bolted in to mend the broken joint, obviously. If you do go this route, get either a few size washers, progressively larger to distribute the force of the clamping power.
Not sure if thats the way you want to go, but likely to be less expensive then whatever bracket kit that h/d should be giving you (and installing) to make up for the sub-par equipment they already sold you.
If this does not fix the problem then narrow it down a bit more. Does the vibration get worse with rpm, speed, or??????
Not sure if thats the way you want to go, but likely to be less expensive then whatever bracket kit that h/d should be giving you (and installing) to make up for the sub-par equipment they already sold you.
If this does not fix the problem then narrow it down a bit more. Does the vibration get worse with rpm, speed, or??????