Motor mounts - talk to me

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  • noctm
    noctm
    4 years ago
    The front motor mount on my dyna is due for replacement. I've done a bit of research and there's shit loads of options and opinions. I wanna hear yours.
    The Predator VCS seems to get a pretty good write up. 
    So does the Kinetic Structures option.
    As does the Custom Cycle Engineering option.

    All of their designs are pretty bloody different from one another, while the prices all seem to be around 400-600AUD which is a fair bit of cash compared to OEM designs.

    I'm mostly looking for vibration dampening, as I get a bit of buzz through the bars and pegs which gets a bit tiresome on the long rides. I would sacrifice a bit of 'true tracking' or 'lateral stabilising' for a bit of extra vibration dampening.

    Have any of you tried aftermarket mounts? What do yas reckon?
  • brucefxdl
    brucefxdl
    4 years ago
    my front mount was u/s at 33k.fitted a genuine mount, now has 66 k on it and going fine, but i dont ride hard or pull wheelies which may have some bearing on it still being fine,but a lot of opinions shy away from genuine mounts.
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    4 years ago
    Here's another: 

    I had trouble with the stock mount sagging, and even a new stock mount only lasted around 1000km's before
    causing issues. I was also using a True Track stabiliser.
    Currently running the Predator mount, only because it was cheap 2nd hand.
    It works but moves the vibration up higher in the rev range for my setup.
    You can get a rebuild kit for it when needed.

    I had started to make my own version of the chopper hauss/ Big bear unit, but never finished it , but that's
    were I would spend my money.




  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    4 years ago
    I have a Predator front mount. Came with the bike but I rode a stocker when they were new and it vibrated a hell of a lot more than mine. '12 Widey.
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago
    Quoting speedzter on 04 Jul 2020 03:43 AM

    Here's another: 

    I had trouble with the stock mount sagging, and even a new stock mount only lasted around 1000km's before
    causing issues. I was also using a True Track stabiliser.
    Currently running the Predator mount, only because it was cheap 2nd hand.
    It works but moves the vibration up higher in the rev range for my setup.
    You can get a rebuild kit for it when needed.

    I had started to make my own version of the chopper hauss/ Big bear unit, but never finished it , but that's
    were I would spend my money.




    They look the goods mate, wonder if forwards would still be ok? Longer bolts?
    Have looked into their rear mount? I haven't, just asking.
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    4 years ago
    Quoting speedzter on 04 Jul 2020 03:43 AM

    Here's another: 

    I had trouble with the stock mount sagging, and even a new stock mount only lasted around 1000km's before
    causing issues. I was also using a True Track stabiliser.
    Currently running the Predator mount, only because it was cheap 2nd hand.
    It works but moves the vibration up higher in the rev range for my setup.
    You can get a rebuild kit for it when needed.

    I had started to make my own version of the chopper hauss/ Big bear unit, but never finished it , but that's
    were I would spend my money.




    Quoting Grease Monkey on 05 Jul 2020 12:08 AM

    They look the goods mate, wonder if forwards would still be ok? Longer bolts?

    Have looked into their rear mount? I haven't, just asking.

    I'm convinced they are the best option for a Dyna.
    The new version allows adjustment for motor alignment.
    They add transverse support as a benefit. No need for link arms that add to the vibration.
    I tend to find my front end in the air on occasion, and they offer better support for the engine upon landing !!

    Forward's might still work, just a little wider ! , but not an issue for me personally.
    Their rear mounts look like they might work, but the stock rear mount is a lot better than the front though and doesn't appear
    to cause issues -  there is always room for a better mouse trap !
    I have the True Track rear stabilizer fitted.

    The kinetic mount uses compressed stainless wire, just looks wrong IMHO, and have read a few negative reports.


  • John.R
    John.R
    4 years ago
    What negative report have you heard on the Kinetic? 
    They're getting rave reviews on the FXR pages, heaps of guys running em.

    Have heard a lot of complaints bout the hard poly ones though. 
  • noctm
    noctm
    4 years ago
    Quoting John.R on 05 Jul 2020 09:13 AM

    What negative report have you heard on the Kinetic? 

    They're getting rave reviews on the FXR pages, heaps of guys running em.

    Have heard a lot of complaints bout the hard poly ones though. 

    Yeah I've read some good stuff about the kinetic ones too. The guy who makes them makes aviation engine mounts!
    What complaints have you heard about the hard poly ones? 
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago
    The harder the mount the more vibration is transfered.....yeah?
    I read a heap of great stuff about Gatorman lifters once, every man and his dog was promoting them, good company, good rep, living the dream, I got on board, mine did not grenade so the hype held up for me, many others not so lucky, point being just cause a company has runs on the board does not necessarily mean the product is bullet proof.
    Aircraft engines are rather well balanced, for very good reasons, big twins not so much.
    Some people get very emotional about something they spend money on and heap praise apon said purchase without any real evaluation, the internet is full of such bro science, not saying the kinetic mount is shit, have never used it or seen it but looking at its construction from a fitters point of view I'm sceptical about its longevity in real world riding, maybe I'm way off there? 
    The True track and Sputhe work but the mounts still need regular changes.
    The vibration on some engines is worse than others due to cranks and other rotating bits being different, state of tune comes into it as well, the predator mount and others will be fine in some dynas and an absolute nightmare in others due to those factors alone.
    Anyway, what works for you is what matters, the rest is noise.
  • Steve L
    Steve L
    4 years ago
    Quoting Grease Monkey on 05 Jul 2020 11:26 AM

    The harder the mount the more vibration is transfered.....yeah?

    I read a heap of great stuff about Gatorman lifters once, every man and his dog was promoting them, good company, good rep, living the dream, I got on board, mine did not grenade so the hype held up for me, many others not so lucky, point being just cause a company has runs on the board does not necessarily mean the product is bullet proof.
    Aircraft engines are rather well balanced, for very good reasons, big twins not so much.
    Some people get very emotional about something they spend money on and heap praise apon said purchase without any real evaluation, the internet is full of such bro science, not saying the kinetic mount is shit, have never used it or seen it but looking at its construction from a fitters point of view I'm sceptical about its longevity in real world riding, maybe I'm way off there? 
    The True track and Sputhe work but the mounts still need regular changes.
    The vibration on some engines is worse than others due to cranks and other rotating bits being different, state of tune comes into it as well, the predator mount and others will be fine in some dynas and an absolute nightmare in others due to those factors alone.
    Anyway, what works for you is what matters, the rest is noise.

    I have to agree about each engine being different. I recently put a Predator front mount on mine and as someone else said it moves the vibration higher. I'm at a bit of a loss with mine as I aready spent $650 on the mounts and $200 to fit. The rear is a mission that's why I got someone with the right gear to do them. I don't want to spend more money on a chance it will be better. I'm just waiting for someone to get lucky and find an acceptable solution to the Dyna vibtration woes. My mate and brother also have Dyna's and their bikes are great compared to mine. 
  • micathia
    micathia
    4 years ago
    Thank god here is a new thread for motor mount. I have been researching this too. 
    I am not worrying about vibration i know any after market one will be better than stock. 

    My main problem (driving me nut) is the drive train alignment. Do these after market mount help with alignment? I mean, I can fit in, make the drive chain aligned and NEVER WILL have to worry about this shit again? 

    I once read about CCE product, they have front and rear. The front is adjustable, but some people said it is nightmare to adjust. Anyone use it?
    also big bear chopper front/rear mount for dyna?




    Here are the photos of my front mount, I can see the rubbers already extended out on both side. Does this affect drive train alignment big?


  • leachy
    leachy
    4 years ago
    I fitted a Sputhie to my bike, I did it more for handling but it also changed the vibration of the motor in a good way. the amplitude of the vibrations seemed smaller, I guess what I mean is the vibrations seem smaller or more controlled, its stopped to engine looking like it was jumping all over the shop. Id be looking at where the vibration is coming from if its noticeably more than others you know. I also fitted Legend cartridge insert at the same time not sure if that could have made any difference.   
  • micathia
    micathia
    4 years ago
    just spent whole afternoon on this shit. Here are some findings, 
    1. There are enough people happy with predator for years, but predator still has vibration on certain rpm or speed range but overall good for most of the time. no info on tracking true on predator or how adjustment made. Also, since predator doesn't have product for rear, the safest try is to use HD OEM on rear. Otherswise there could be some difficulty to install both. 
    2. Kinetic one, very sensitive on how you install it. if installed properly, it can be slightly better than predator. Kinetic can really track true. But don't now how long it can last. It definitely has life time, needs to be replaced just like HD oem at some point. 
    3. CCE is adjustable and it can do real stabilizing. But for alignment adjustment, some says it's hard to do, some says it is easy. I have no idea. But it seems CCE doesn't have numbered scale on their adjustment, so it's like based on "feel" types of accuracy?  
    4. Big Bear Chopper also has their front and rear product. Looks like front only works for mid control. rear one needs to remove exhaust and master cylinder to install properly. rear mount only allows for un/down movement, therefore eliminating "rear steering".
     
    Looks like I am going to go Kinetic front and rear. Predator front + big bear rear sounds good too, but no one has done that hard to tell if it works. 
  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    4 years ago
    I use Predator front, stock elsewhere, bike tracks fine as long as tyre pressures are maintained. No vibration issues but it's my first rubberglide so...
  • FXDF08
    FXDF08
    4 years ago
    At the risk of pissing off every Dyna rider (of which I’m one ... and proud) they are rubber mounted and vibrate. That’s the beauty and character. First time I rode a B engined softail it just seemed wrong. Guess you get that ??
    Each to their own. Good luck eliminating the vibes
  • micathia
    micathia
    4 years ago
    Quoting FXDF08 on 05 Aug 2020 10:31 AM

    At the risk of pissing off every Dyna rider (of which I’m one ... and proud) they are rubber mounted and vibrate. That’s the beauty and character. First time I rode a B engined softail it just seemed wrong. Guess you get that ??

    Each to their own. Good luck eliminating the vibes

    I am not looking for vibration reduction though. I just want to find a better solution to let my bike track true. For me the stock mount failed that. 
  • John.R
    John.R
    4 years ago
    Yep, its not about elimination of vibration, its about limiting unwanted movement.
    If you're familiar with how an FXR is setup, they've got a better mount than the dyna, in that there is a front and top stabiliser that limits any side to side movement, while still allowing vertical movement for the engine.

    The downside is that the rear swingarm is connected to the trans via rubber cleaveblocks to reduce vibes, and then pinched with rubber blocks. So while the engine might be aligned and not isolating on an unwanted axis, the swingarm can (particularly with 30yr old bushings) flop all over the place.
  • micathia
    micathia
    4 years ago
    anyone knows the life span of these aftermarket products? 
    how long predator or KINETIC can last? 

    kinetic is fairly new product isn't it?


  • FXDF08
    FXDF08
    4 years ago
    Ok, my bad. 
  • micathia
    micathia
    4 years ago
    Sent an email to Kinetics Structure, 
    ===============================
    Just asking, what are the life span (in kms or miles) the dyna front/rear mount are? Are they wearing out like rubber mount as well? What are the signs for me to replace them in long run?
    Also your product link:
    https://www.kineticstructures.com/product-page/harley-dyna-front-rear-motor-mounts
    the two mounts in the picture are identical, are they identical? I saw other products front and rear are different.

    ================================

    The reply is:
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    We've been selling the front mount for over a year and the rear mount for six months. We haven't heard of any wearing out. So at this time we don't know how long they will last. I think the first signs of wearing out might be an increase in vibration.
    The front and rear mounts are different. The mounting hole spacing is different and the rear mount is a little stiffer than the front.
    ----------------------------------------------------------


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