| Author | Message | ||
     Smac |
Have an annoying vibration I can feel through my feet and hands that I can't seem to fix. It's most noticeable between 3,000 and 3,500 rpm in any gear. I thought it was the primary chain since it was due to be adjusted...didn't seem to make a difference after my 500 mile trip this weekend. I have about 11k on the bike. I searched the archives for help and notices a lot of talk about the front isolator mount. I can't see any damage or wear, but wondered if it may be a little loose and need re-torqued. Thoughts? | ||
| Someday |
Smac, If you had the "Rider Comfort Kit" installed you have to be sure the exhaust pipe heat guard is not touching the boss on the frame where the screw holds the back of the RS air scoop. Mine caused a noticeable vibration until I moved it for more clearance. I think someone else posted the same problem. | ||
| Teeps |
Have a look at the front engine isolator. Here are some pics from another thread that illustrate what a good and bad one look like. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/369491.html | ||
| Rwven |
Others have posted about having to lube the heim joints (spherical rod-ends) in the engine mounts from time to time also. | ||
| Smac |
Haven't installed the comfort kit yet. I'm gonna take a closer look at the front isolator with plenty of light. Seems as though even a slight crack could be the culprit. I'm assuming this can be fixed under warranty, so I might call my local dealer and let them examine it and change it if necessary. | ||
| Etennuly |
I had two of them changed under warranty. And recently put another one in myself. About every 8500 miles on my '06 Uly. If you look up into the rubber isolator part it has two webs that can crack or tear part way that will cause the start of the vibrations. If you cannot see up into it because the large washer bolt head is against the mount it is really bad. Can you post a close up picture of it? | ||
| Smac |
Etennuly, After work, I'll take a better look and snap some photos. I didn't have very good light in my garage last night. | ||
| Chopped58 |
yup, mine was so bad, it blew the headlight. Currently on a cross country trip from NY to Vegas, noticed the bad isolator in St. Louis. Had to call a dealer 400 miles ahead to arrange for part pickup. Doerflers Harley in Hays KS got it overnighted as we rode west. Changed it in parking lot....piece of cake! Used a ratcheting tie strap to lift motor back up and install mount. | ||
| Pso |
Chopped; what did you attach the wratcheing strap too? Might make an interesting picture. | ||
| Etennuly |
 Here is what my last one looks like. The center web is broken about half way out. I have seen them ridden until the center is broken completely loose. Perhaps it is because of my advancing age, but I feel it in the early stages of failure. The new kit(pn L1501.02A8) comes with the complete mount and a new center bolt. It is fairly easy to change, especially if it has been done before an properly coated with anti-sieze. I recommend you break it loose before putting a jack under the bike. You don't have to jack it up, just hold the engine in place. When the dealer replaced mine under warranty they did not use anti-sieze, so it was corroded in there pretty bad. I used a pro quality T55 Torx bit with a 1/2 air impact wrench for that first one. Since then, with anti-sieze they have been no problem with a breaker bar and a ratchet. | ||
| Buellhusker |
I have a 2009 with 8,000 miles and recently I am feeling what I think is excessive vibes around the 3,000 to 3,500 RPM also. I took it in to the dealer and they could not fing any thing wrong but did tighten the primary a little but that made little to no differance. The front isolator looks OK from the side. Is there any to inspect the front isolator without removing it? | ||
| Jlnance |
Buellhusker - The only real way to tell is to put a new on there. They can break, but they also deteriorate, so it's not simply a question of is it broken, buy how broken. Check your muffler straps and bolts which hold the headers to the heads. | ||
| Etennuly |
The only way I have been able to see it with it on the bike is to use a bright light (and old guy glasses)to really get in close. Chances are if you see the cracks like above, it is at least time to take it off for a closer inspection of how the rubber looks through the mount hole. If the engine is hanging down on the bolt so that you cannot see the rubber, it is time. | ||
| Smac |
Well, after further investigation, it looks as though many of you were right...my front isolator has a few cracks (one on the other side too).  Looks like I'll be making a trip to the dealer this weekend. Thanks for all your diagnostic help! | ||
| Babired |
I have a question is this a warranty item the last thread I saw about these made me look at mine and I have a worn out one too I've got 20,000 on my uly now | ||
| Etennuly |
It is if you have had it less than two years. Miles don't matter. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
My isolator has odd marks on the lower side that look like cracks starting but I feel no odd vibes. Did I acclimate to a marginal isolator? My X1 is much more rough. I do notice a low down clunking sound when it's idling and cold. Beats me what that is.... | ||
| Hughlysses |
My 07 developed a vibration at about 12k miles and I inspected the isolator and found it looking like Smac's photo above. I replaced the isolator and couldn't tell any difference in the vibes. I figured out the primary chain was loose a couple of weeks later, adjusted it to spec, and that cured my problem. Based on my experience I think the marks shown on the isolator above are sometimes indicative of further unseen damage/tearing, but not always. (Message edited by Hughlysses on September 30, 2009) | ||
| Etennuly |
It can have cracks there and still be good. when you start feeling the vibes, you know where to look, and what to look for. My last one started showing those cracks(top pic) in February of this year, I got the new isolator in March. It didn't start feeling bad until the first part of this month, so that is when I plugged it in. | ||
| Smac |
The vibes at this point for me are just annoying. I was very accustomed to my uly smoothing out after leaving the idle rpms and especially at cruising speeds in top gear. So, I noticed the slight vibes right away and even after I adjusted my primary chain, the vibes were still present. I'm still riding the bike and at will setup a dealer visit when I can. I figured the more wear I can show, the better my chances are at having the dealer replace the isolator without question. | ||
| Babired |
Looks like I'll be getting mine in before Nov 26th! to get the isolator replaced for free! I need my 20,000 miles service and new tires too  | ||
| Chopped58 |
Pso, We wrapped the strap around the top of the frame (by the fill cap) and under the muffler after removing the chin spoiler. Just tightened the strap, and it picked right up. |
