Vibration, sputtering - Harley Forum

Diamond Lil · #1 03-27-2009, 10:43 PM

Why would a VRSC(D) vibrate after being stored for the winter?

Would having Supertrapp Fatshots installed have anything at all to do with it?

I'm not the rider, but can tell you what was told to me. The bike was ridden today for the first time this season and for the first time with the new pipes. At stops the bike vibrated so much the headlight cowl seemed to be vibrating. When I asked what it felt like the answer I got was, nothing like my Sportster which was a 1200L.

The engine ran rough until it warmed up almost felt as if it could have sputtered. This happened when first used today and then after a two hour stop. Once it warmed up the sputter feeling subsided. The vibration did not.

I asked this in a few places and am interested in this groups thoughts.

shovelmike · #2 03-28-2009, 02:07 PM

The old gas that was in the tank all Winter could be a factor. Gasoline goes stale easily, even more so with these new blends foisted upon us by the government. Hopefully it will improve after a tank or two.

street bob · #3 03-28-2009, 07:31 PM

Couldn't imagine a VROD vibrating... seriously.
Maybe there is something not mounted correctly with the exhaust. Possibly bolted on crooked or not tightened down properly... or tightened down bent somewhere.
As far as sputtering... maybe its the gas, or some moisture got in....

Diamond Lil · #4 03-28-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by street bob

Couldn't imagine a VROD vibrating... seriously.
Maybe there is something not mounted correctly with the exhaust. Possibly bolted on crooked or not tightened down properly... or tightened down bent somewhere.
As far as sputtering... maybe its the gas, or some moisture got in....

Me either. Weird.

rjrivero · #5 03-28-2009, 10:57 PM

What year is the D? The front motor mount was upgraded, but I forget what year. The front mount had a history of breaking. The motor won't shift, but you no longer have any isolation from the frame. It will vibrate right up the bars, if that's the case.

Unfortunately, the only way to check it is to lower the motor and remove the mount from behind the radiator and shroud. It's not hard to do, but it does take an afternoon.

You can't visually inspect it without taking it off. The insert is not visible from the outside.

Diamond Lil · #6 03-29-2009, 10:35 AM

Hi RJ, it is a 2008 and has no more than 250 miles on it. I'm thinking the mount would not have failed so soon, right?

unclepsycho · #7 03-29-2009, 11:45 AM

Hi there,
I dont rida a V, but my '06 Ultra had a loose front motor stabilizer right from the dealer when I got it. so maybe there is just a loose bolt in yours somewhere. The Harley factory tech's are only human, they do an outstandng job of quality control, but 1 little bolt could have gotten missed.

rjrivero · #8 03-29-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diamond Lil

Hi RJ, it is a 2008 and has no more than 250 miles on it. I'm thinking the mount would not have failed so soon, right?

I agree. The 2008 has the new design mount anyway.

back to the drawing board.

Diamond Lil · #9 03-30-2009, 01:35 PM

RJ, I turned the bike on, let it run and then goosed the throttle a few times. There was no sputtering at all. If it had not been snowing and raining at the same time I would have taken it for a spin. Is it possible that she had a bit of spoiled gas that had to be run through and now things have settled out?

Also, after pressuring the rider, I get something like this; Maybe the sputtering made me think the vibration was worse than what it actually was.

When I let it run, the cowl did not seem to truly vibrate.

DesertSpeed · #10 03-30-2009, 07:02 PM

I can't believe how many people have never heard of Stabil!!