Should replace front motor mount?
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 603
Likes: 8
From: Ct
Should replace front motor mount?
Just curious what are the symptoms of a failing front motor mount? I know the bikes shakes at idle but seems like it might be shaking a little too much? Just curious, bike only has 18k on it now. And are aftermarket mounts better anyways?
Thanks
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 288
Likes: 3
From: UK
There is no "life expectancy" as such, it depends how the bike has been ridden as to what work the mount has done. If you have a pre-07 bike with the original mount then there should be a small gap between the mount and the under side of the top plate. 07-09 had a different mount but visible signs of failure are splits or cracks on the visible rubber surface. Plus the mount should be at least 16mm heigh under load or it has collapsed.
On later bikes (09-) it uses a different mount system. On way to tell if this has "sagged" is to look at the stabilizer bar at the top of the motor. It should be near horizontal. If not the front mounts may have dropped.
In general HD mount systems are OK but they have had severe quality problems with the manufacture of their mounts so premature failures are common.
As for aftermarket, its a gamble. Some isolate well and others don't. You will find good and bad reports on forums if you search.
On later bikes (09-) it uses a different mount system. On way to tell if this has "sagged" is to look at the stabilizer bar at the top of the motor. It should be near horizontal. If not the front mounts may have dropped.
In general HD mount systems are OK but they have had severe quality problems with the manufacture of their mounts so premature failures are common.
As for aftermarket, its a gamble. Some isolate well and others don't. You will find good and bad reports on forums if you search.
Last edited by 4_stroke; Sep 17, 2014 at 03:29 AM. Reason: typo
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
Being a harley novice, I was slow in recognizing my 04 front mount was bad. Excessive vibration and engine flapping were only apparent after I replaced the mount and had a new frame of reference. My mount wasn't obvious, as from the top it looked fine and the clearances were correct. It was the under side that was completely torn free and was letting the engine flap around.
Use Google and read up on the various mounts. You will hear a 1001 different stories about them. Fundamentally though, it has to do with how hard the mount is. A harder mount holds things more stable, but can/will transmit more vibration to the bike. Your call as to what you want. I like the barkalounger qualities of the bike, so I went with a softer Buell type. This is the web page that helped me quite a bit with regards to my decision on my bike. http://www.moccsplace.com/images/mount/mount.htm
Use Google and read up on the various mounts. You will hear a 1001 different stories about them. Fundamentally though, it has to do with how hard the mount is. A harder mount holds things more stable, but can/will transmit more vibration to the bike. Your call as to what you want. I like the barkalounger qualities of the bike, so I went with a softer Buell type. This is the web page that helped me quite a bit with regards to my decision on my bike. http://www.moccsplace.com/images/mount/mount.htm
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,137
Likes: 6,161
From: SE Michigan
The stock 06 front rubber mounts are notorious for shearing. A buddy of mine who has an 06 was having a True Track installed at Sturgis - when they do that they inspect the engine mounts. Sure enough, sheared in half, they guy says they see it all the time on the 08-earlier bikes.
Its worth replacing it proactively because the replacement part uses better, more durable material.
Its worth replacing it proactively because the replacement part uses better, more durable material.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 288
Likes: 3
From: UK
The stock 06 front rubber mounts are notorious for shearing. A buddy of mine who has an 06 was having a True Track installed at Sturgis - when they do that they inspect the engine mounts. Sure enough, sheared in half, they guy says they see it all the time on the 08-earlier bikes.
HD upgrade the mount in 07 to a version C then in 08 to a version D
Version D works ok on later big displacement twin cams but on earlier motors it has been reported to give vibration issues.
Some use the earlier Buell part number but this is overloaded on twin cam applications.
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Stage I
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
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.
Last edited by bag o' toe tags; Jan 5, 2021 at 02:34 AM.