Dreaded engine vibrations!

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  • Rob_hendo
    Rob_hendo
    10 years ago

    Gday guys before we start... ive searched! ive searched hard and long and still no answer

    So the story goes, ive got a horrible vibration through the wideglide, its an 07. seems to come more through the footpegs and hande bars, its very much engine speed related as it is there at all speeds and if im cruising down a hill at 80 and hit the clutch and let it idle down it doesnt shake.

    ive replaced and shimmed the front mounts and removed and inspected the rear and it looks good, ive also looked around the motor to make sure it isnt hitting frame anywhere, im running out of ideas fast, the only thing i can think of is that i did an oil change and primary oil change a few weeks ago and used Castrol edge 25-50 could it be that the oils to thick?

    any ideas and thoughts would be much appreciated, riding a vibrator is only fun for so long...

    thanks in advance

    cheers, rob

  • oldtimer
    oldtimer
    10 years ago
    Rob, pinion runout will cause vibrations but it should be there at all times so check for sumping.
  • cm364352
    cm364352
    10 years ago
    Have you checked the top engine stabilizer,It's pretty rare but they can come loose.
    A more common cause is for a small rock to get lodged between the motor and the frame usually
    around the swing arm on the belt side.So have a close look as these can be hard to spot.

    WAZ....
  • Rob_hendo
    Rob_hendo
    10 years ago

    gday guys, ill pull the tank off this arvo and really check it out, its driving me insane! but have to admit it felt pretty damn good for a little while ;)

    i used edge cause on there lube guide thats what they recommended...

  • Darke_peak
    Darke_peak
    10 years ago
    This might be a silly question, but did the vibration exist before you changed the oil?

    My Dyna Switchback had the factory vibration issue, which was temporarily resolved by loosening exhaust mounting bolts. Final resolution was changing the exhaust altogether and being very careful with the tightening sequence. If you can feel the vibe throug the bars when you rev the engine while stationary, then it is easy to check. Rev the bike until you feel the vibe, then have someone loosen the exhaust mounting bolts (to the frame, not the engine) while you hold those revs. It only took 1/2 turn backing off the rear most exhaust bolt on mine. If that solves it then try tightening the bolt(s) back up with the engine running, or get some good Loctite and fibre washers and leave them a bit loose.
  • sssmour
    sssmour
    10 years ago
    I have hired a 2014 Dyna Fat Bob for the weekend and it has an engine vibration around 2000 rpm. I notice it driving and on decel. Is that normal for the 103 cube engine?
  • Rob_hendo
    Rob_hendo
    10 years ago

    thanks for all the suggestions guys, i put her down on the weekend, so exhaust will be coming off now anyway... sigh some body dropped a hell of alot of sand on an intersection near my house which made for a nice slide, nothing serious and no scratches on me which is good.

    i have checked all mounts and checked for stones and got nothing, i think ill change the primary and engne oil to something different and whilst doing that ill check the crank and clutch sprokets etc i appreciate all the suggestions guys been a big help so far and ill keep yas posted 

  • prt43
    prt43
    10 years ago
    G'day all, first post so thanks for helping out. I have a 2012 fatbob that ran beautifully when new but after time I now have bad engine vibrations. Bike has only done 5,000 k's and vibe is getting worse. I've had two dyna tunes and front engine mount changed. Have shimmed front and loosened back and tried the realign trick all with no luck. Usual response from Harley dealers is this is normal for a dyna. Only have screamin eagle airflow with tuner and rush slip ons. If I'm riding I can't see shite through the mirrors. If I pull the clutch it's perfect. Bike is again back at dealer and again they have advised all normal. This bike is awesome to ride but vibration has me so frustrated and disappointed to the point of selling and finding another brand of chariot. Any help would be most welcome and appreciated. Cheers
  • taff60
    taff60
    10 years ago
    There is a issue with Dynas that requires a periodic alignment of the front rear rubber engine mounts. There is even a harley instruction the carry this out after each tyre change. Its listed in the manual, look for alignment. Also, there is a service bulletin from HD ref adjust ment of engine mounts. It even calls for some of the rubber mount to be filed away.
    It doesn't need doing very often and invooves slackening the mount bolts and running the engine.
    It makes a big difference to rubber mounted non balanced motors.
  • robots
    robots
    10 years ago
    Hi,

    I did the shim with just one washer on each screw , filed mount and you definitely notice a small difference

    If your rubber mount pulls away from frame when undoing fasteners the shim will help i believe

    Thanks
    Robots
  • prt43
    prt43
    10 years ago
    Follow up: took my Fatbob back to dealer and they kindly arrange rep from Harley Australia to test ride. As expected the result is "it's within tolerance". Tolerance maybe but there shouldn't be vibration in the first place. Frustrated beyond my tolerance.
  • robots
    robots
    10 years ago

    hi,

    has the mount been inspected by the shop and attended to in relation to the service bulletin that was issued? the bulletin from memory requires shaving of the rubber

    when you shimmed it did the frame pull away from the mount? a put just 1 washer in there even though could of put 2 in and it does help noticed it with my mirrors

    i would get them to attend to the mount as per service bulletin or even replace the mount, the new mount developed includes some sort of tru-track type bar too

    if you done above just tell me I am dickhead

    thanks

    robots

     

  • robots
    robots
    10 years ago
    hi,

    yeah shave about a 1mm off top of rubber, so there is clearance between rubber and frame, thats in the service bulletin, i had a sharp laboratory blade as done on bike and then just kept sliding it between rubber and frame until i had clearance, you could take mount off

    thanks
    robots
  • robots
    robots
    10 years ago
    Hi,

    Www.vibra-technics.com

    The jury out on it, may just be an option for when you need a new mount, apparently mount and stabilizer all in one

    Thanks
    Robots
  • Uncle Ho
    Uncle Ho
    10 years ago

     

    I've not been clicking up many k's since accident last November... broken wrist put me out for 10 weeks and now my wife and step-daughter are with me in Melbourne I don't get out as much. Would like to move back to perth so will start looking for work over there in the coming months

  • prt43
    prt43
    10 years ago

    Wow that's exciting news Lucky. Can't wait for more info. Just wondering do you have vibration on your new model too? Cheers Pete

  • Rob_hendo
    Rob_hendo
    10 years ago

    waiting with baited breath mate!

  • robots
    robots
    10 years ago
    hi,

    this is exciting for sure,

    thanks
    robots
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