Should replace front motor mount?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,149
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
You doing good. I think I changed mine around 20,000 miles. 2007 model Ultra also. Went by HD dealer and asked tech if shake looked normal. He said yeah. Looked like a paint shaker at Home Depot to me. I replaced front engine mount with a neoprene unit. 25,00 miles later. Still barely noticeably engine shake. If engine is shaking like a go go dancer. Replace.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,211
From: San Diego, CA
I have only 25K miles on my '03 Road king and the engine shakes enough to scramble eggs and travels up my 20" apes. Viewed many YouTube videos about replacing the front mount and decided the Harley Davidson mount was the way to go. It was a new and improved design and very pricey. The down side is it was made in F'n China which rubs me the wrong way but the guys at my local dealership stated it was made with Harley's specs as was many H-D parts made in foreign countries, so I bought it anyway. The idea of running the engine to 'settle in' was not in the H-D factory repair manual for front motor mount replacement. The old mount was actually torn and the rubber spinning around. The front mount has no life expectancy because it is in constant use and is hard rubber surrounded by metal; a frequently replaceable part depending on variable conditions; riding in hot climates, mileage and quality of mount.
The #16207-79B front motor mounts used on baggers & FXRs, is considered to be superior to the later, updated part(s) that replaced it. They are now up to revision "D", #16207-79D, for HD replacements for that mount... The newer mounts are supposedly much stiffer, allowing for more felt vibration..
On another HD tech forum I frequently read, a member found a front engine mount replacement, Made in America, that is supposed to be the same as the original "B" mount in size & stiffness, made by Barry Controls... it's their Bonded Tube Mount, 500 series... #507-1NS... it sells for about $18... I think he said the shipping cost is high.. but he got the mount, the corresponding snubbing washer, and shipping.... for $38...
You can find it on this page... scroll down until you see the #507-1NS..
https://novibration.com/products/bon...ts-500-series/
He called Barry Controls 1-800 number, but got the run around ... he eventually spoke with John, at Novibration.com. (Distributor for Barry Controls, now owned by Hutchinson Aerospace Industries). John is in engineering, and he was very familiar with the application for the early touring bikes.
John said the #507-1NS matches the original part used by HD (the equivalent to the "B" mount) and the #507-3NS would be substantially stiffer and prone to allow more vibration transfer..
I mention the #507-3NS mount because there is a Barry Controls mount being offered on eBay, as a replacement for the Harley "D" mount... It is the stiffer 3 code, versus the 1 code which is the equivalent to the original "B" code mount..
Whether you try one of these, or another mount from an aftermarket vendor, the Harley "D" mount is reportedly stiff and passes on vibrations... you may find a "softer" mount could end your vibration issue...
Disclaimer.... I do not have a touring or FXR bike that uses this front mount... I have, however, read about issues with this mount. I've read some of the HD replacements, as well as some aftermarket mounts, are not the same as the good "B" mount... None of this is first hand knowledge on my part...
I offer this 2nd hand info, as food for thought for those who may have a problematic front engine mount of this part # series...
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Stafford VA
rk classic.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
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From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
I know on my Dyna it vibrated a bit more and the front end didn't feel planted. Recently replace both front and rear mounts and it's like a new bike. Less buzz and handles much better.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,580
Likes: 215
From: Illinois
I’ll chime in on my experience.....
I tried the Alloy Art motor Mount and it was complete waste! Tried all sorts of ways by barely tightening it, driving around with it loose so it settles, etc. Had someone get one as well and try it on his ‘04 RG with same crap results as me. Idle was great, but soon as you start moving everything shook like crazy!!! Now I use it as a cool looking paper weight.
Next I put on the Glide Pro mount and it’s way better. Not a miraculous change, but way better.
I tried the Alloy Art motor Mount and it was complete waste! Tried all sorts of ways by barely tightening it, driving around with it loose so it settles, etc. Had someone get one as well and try it on his ‘04 RG with same crap results as me. Idle was great, but soon as you start moving everything shook like crazy!!! Now I use it as a cool looking paper weight.
Next I put on the Glide Pro mount and it’s way better. Not a miraculous change, but way better.
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