I hate to make my first post a cry for help..... but I need to. 2003 Fatboy 88" with stage 1
done, with 4000 miles on it. On the hi-way today at 65 mph a bad vibration show up. Sort of like hitting rumble strips on the hiway the engine would vibrate for a couple of seconds then smooth out over and over. As I was slowing and coming to a stop, speed or gear did'nt seem to change anything so I'm pretty sure it's in the engine. Any idea what I've done? spun a bearing ? Any help would sure be appriciated. Thanx

 

Check your motor mounts to see if they are tight. Maybe the bolts have backed themselves off. That is where I would start.

 

How do your tires look?

 

ECU, or fuel injection related?

 

Does it do this sitting still, tranny in neutral..?? If so...it's in the motor, or motor mounts.. If not...it's in the running stuff...Tires first,. then motor mounts, then start looking over the the drive system... belt,primary chain, etc. Check the easy ( read: CHEAP TO FIX) stuff first before you start getting into bearings, and other internals.

 

The second I hit the "post Thread" button it hit me tocheck the motor mounts. I did and it looks like the nut came off the right side on the top mount. I'm guessing this because my service manual isn't in yet and I'm new to the Softtails so I'm not really sure how the top mount actually bolts on to the frame. It looks like I could be missing some sort of bushing on the right side as well as the nut. The vibration starts just off idle stationary or moving so I hope thats all it is. I will know more tonite when I can get out to he garage and get into it a little deeper. Thanks for all the reply's and I'll keep ya posted.

 

yep there should be a bolt on it.

 

From the left side the top mount looks ok because the bolt is there. On the right side however the bolt comes out but there is no nut on it and it looks like there should be a spacer or bushing in between. Am I correct ?

 

Legit first post, welcome.

 

one of those front bolts is hidden behine the floorboard support. gotta take it off and there it is.
Engineers list torque for everything, cause there are limits for things so they list them, but what you want is tight.
While you are at it double check the top mounts. Alined properly and tight