License Plate Vibration Buzz Kill
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
License Plate Vibration Buzz Kill
I removed the tour pack from my Ultra and installed a Road King signal bar with lighted license plate mount. Since then, I started noticing an annoying buzz from the rear of the bike. It took me a while to realize it was the plate mount frame buzzing at certain rpms. It’s almost like a high frequency vibration that moves/flexs the plate frame quite a bit. Because plate mount’s bottom edge is in such close proximity to the top of the rear fender tip light, it’s started to scratch\mark the chrome plastic of the light housing. I checked all bolts/nuts and everything is tight.
I’ve thought about removing the entire signal bar and putting some kind of rubber washer between it and the rear fender. I may also find some smaller rubber washers to put between the signal bar and plate frame. I’m hoping this will isolate the parts enough to kill or at least reduce the vibration.
Has anyone else encountered this type of buzz/vibration? If so, what did you do to kill it?
Thanks.
I’ve thought about removing the entire signal bar and putting some kind of rubber washer between it and the rear fender. I may also find some smaller rubber washers to put between the signal bar and plate frame. I’m hoping this will isolate the parts enough to kill or at least reduce the vibration.
Has anyone else encountered this type of buzz/vibration? If so, what did you do to kill it?
Thanks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
...I started noticing an annoying buzz from the rear of the bike. I’ve thought about removing the entire signal bar and putting some kind of rubber washer between it and the rear fender. I may also find some smaller rubber washers to put between the signal bar and plate frame.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
I couldn't hear mine at neutral stop idle either. It generally occurs at a higher rpm. I didn't find it until I had a friend rev the engine one day while I was standing behind the bike. I was surprised at how much that plate frame was flexing when it buzzed. Other than wear on some of the parts, I'm not really sure it's hurting anything. It just bothers me because I associate vibration with something being loose. It's just an annoying buzzing sound.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
my plate mount has a rubber bumper between it and the fender tip light.
does yours?
vibrations are translated to a wider physical motion father out on the bike.
I don't know if rubber washers would be a good idea on the signal bar mount...hmmm.
let us know how you make out
Mike
does yours?
vibrations are translated to a wider physical motion father out on the bike.
I don't know if rubber washers would be a good idea on the signal bar mount...hmmm.
let us know how you make out
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jun 4, 2013 at 04:26 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
my plate mount has a rubber bumper between it and the fender tip light.
does yours?
vibrations are translated to a wider physical motion father out on the bike.
I don't know if rubber washers would be a good idea on the signal bar mount...hmmm.
let us know how you make out
Mike
does yours?
vibrations are translated to a wider physical motion father out on the bike.
I don't know if rubber washers would be a good idea on the signal bar mount...hmmm.
let us know how you make out
Mike
My plate mount doesn't have a rubber bumper anywhere. However, it is off of a Road King and may not be in as close proximity to anything when mounted on the original model. I did cut a short length of rubber gas line hose and slit it to fit over the center edge of the plate frame when I'm riding. I didn't want the sharp edge of the plate flexing back and scratching my new Custom Dynamics tip light.
I considered rubber mounting the signal bar because a couple of my previously owned metric cruisers had rubber grommets to completely isolate their rear signal bar from vibration. I may just start with the plate frame itself to see if that reduces it enough. As you can see from the pics below, the plate itself hovers only about .25" above the rear fender light.
Wish I could get some video of the plate flexing back and forth during the vibration. I'm kind of surprised at the amount it flexes at the right rpm. I hope there's nothing else wrong with the bike. I can't feel any unusual vibration anywhere else.
I'll update the thread once put some some rubber between the hard mounted parts. Thanks for the replies.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
you can also try a bit of Dynamat or similar audio dampening product on the back of the plate or bracket. You'd be surprised how much it can help. Obviously not going to stop it entirely, but should help and you likely won't hear it any more (even if still scratching the paint which you hopefully fix).
HTH - GL!
HTH - GL!
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Shaconage
Interesting... I bought the RK signal bar on Ebay, so maybe there was a rubber bumper at one time. I'll check a parts diagram to see if it shows one. It would be nice to have one if it's available. If not, I'll just make something to keep it from scratching the light. I think two small isolating rubber washers at the plate frame attachment points should kill the buzz.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
you can also try a bit of Dynamat or similar audio dampening product on the back of the plate or bracket. You'd be surprised how much it can help. Obviously not going to stop it entirely, but should help and you likely won't hear it any more (even if still scratching the paint which you hopefully fix).
HTH - GL!
HTH - GL!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 4
From: Nags Head, NC
You need the rubber bumper that goes behind the plate frame. Harley part number 60909-09
Here is a thread with all of the part numbers for that project:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/827552-ultra-limited-to-road-king-style-license-plate-relocation.html
Here is a thread with all of the part numbers for that project:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/827552-ultra-limited-to-road-king-style-license-plate-relocation.html
Last edited by beachdive; Jun 4, 2013 at 07:13 PM.