Vibration while riding
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
Vibration while riding
My 03 has developed a pretty bad vibration while riding, can feel it with Engine RPM not speed. Looking at my engine, it doesn't seem to shake as much as some of the others I've seen. Not sure if head pipes are too tight and not allowing movement and that's what's causing it. Are they supposed to be kept somewhat loose?
I originally was thinking the front mount but I would assume I would have excessive engine movement if that was bad.
I originally was thinking the front mount but I would assume I would have excessive engine movement if that was bad.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
I've been trying to locate the source of the vibration. Cruising at 60+ if I pull in the clutch it's mostly gone. If I rev the engine with the clutch disengaged I can feel it in the floorboards and seat. The whole bike vibrates. Could this be engine mount related? Got a decent ride coming up next weekend and would like to get it resolved before I go.
Last edited by customsoftail200; May 9, 2014 at 11:42 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Take a look at the front engine mount. If it has failed and needs replacement also replace the rear mounts, to give your bike a fresh lease of life. I'm sure I've seen instructions on doing that check in here somewhere, so do a search, which may help confirm if that is your problem.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
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From: Everywhere
Engine mounts - when they go, they get compressed and stiff - result is engine doesn't move as freely in the mounts transferring vibration to the frame and subsequently, to you. As far as your head pipes, I don't suggest you loosen them...
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Just out of curiosity pull the fill plugs on all the oiled systems, check levels and for metal or other debris.
Had a trans bearing fail on our '03, first indication was vibration and noise I couldn't pick where from. Oil was full of ground metal.
Had a trans bearing fail on our '03, first indication was vibration and noise I couldn't pick where from. Oil was full of ground metal.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
That makes sense. They're old and have never been replaced. I'm gonna replace them and see what happens.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
Replaced mounts, front with Velva-Ride and it's worse. Anything above idle the floor boards vibrate real bad and it gets worse as RPMs increase.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
One other alternative, crank is possibly scissored, you need to check it for runout before it does any serious damage. Friend of mine, rides with us as a group from work had a 88 built to a 95 in a 2000 RK, bike was fine for a year then started vibrating, they replaced mounts, as yours a worse response. The indy he uses finally checked crank runout, was scissored, required a replacement as well some engine internals which he opted to a 107 build.
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