Rear swing arm isolators.

[orbit]

I've been chasing a nagging vibration in the 'b' for way too long. The fairing shook and rattled, in my opinion, way too much. The fairing mounted mirrors were pretty much useless below 2K rpm. The 'b' suffered busted fairing brackets, too. Also, the footboards were a bit too tingly for my liking.

Symptoms pointed to a scissored crank, which the 'b' did have. The bottom end received TLC at Darkhorse Crankworks. The 88 incher went mild 95 at that time. Yet the naggy vibration persisted.

Previously, I had changed the front motor mount (Glide-Pro), checked the alignment (as best as I can), rehung the exhaust, changed the hanger isolators, all mostly to no avail.

I had grown tired of chasing the vibration. I understand that it's a Harley V-twin, and they do shimmy and shake. They ain't gonna be silky smooth. But still, I hate distracting vibrations.......

I recalled Mega chasing a similar vibration in his '05 Ultra. Heck, I saw it shake at Pony Tacos a few years ago. His bike shook worse than mine, even. Goodness came to Mega's bike when he had the rear swing arm isolators changed out.

So, as a last resort, I decided to do the same today. I replaced the stock isolators with standard Harley issue isolators, p/n 47564-86B, $42-ish each.

The 'b' shows 35,555 miles on the odometer.

Pics follow........

Right top.


Right bottom.


Left top.


Left bottom.


As you can see on the right set of pics, I had metal on metal contact between the isolator and the frame.

The left set had yet to show metal, but the rubber nibs had nearly worn to the bare metal point.

I took the 'b' for a 30-ish mile ride after the install.

Vibration-isolation is much improved. The fairing still shakes a bit below 2K, but not nearly as bad as before. Easily a 60-70% improvement.

The bars, however, have little, if any, vibration throughout normal rpm abuse.

Footboard vibration is nearly non-existent, and seemed to lessen as the bike warmed up. Or I'd gotten used to it.

It's been a spell since I spent quality saddle time on the 'b'. Like seven months worth........

I'm still gonna check the alignment and maybe take the 'b' back in for a bit of tune-tweakage.

R & R took like three hours. I had to remove the right side exhaust, as I'm running V & H True Duals. The 'b' also sports a TWR 'Missing Link' stabilizer, and there was no way I was gonna get that fancy aluminum swing arm bracket off without removing the exhaust on that side.

And I ain't never had one of these apart, so there was some head scratchin' along the way........

Overall, I'm pleased with the result.

I reckon the 'b' will remain part of the orbit fleet.

[vafatboy]

Mine is way overdue for replacement. I bought them. Just need to get to it.

[Backroad Mike]

Nice job Ken. Glad you got them changed out. They were needing to be changed.

[orbit]

Originally Posted by Backroad Mike

Nice job Ken. Glad you got them changed out. They were needing to be changed.

Thanks for sharing your tips, Mike.

They helped to make the swap way easy!

[TalonChief]

All the glide pro crap is coming off mine this season. No amount of tweaking has resolved the fairing shake that accompanied the install.

Posted under duress using now-buggy FREE Tapatalk I previously paid for.

[Geezer-Glide]

Pop off your outer fairing and check the upright brackets. Dollars will get you donuts that one of them (left side most likely) is cracked.

[MegaGlide]

When my fairing brackets (and before that my speaker brackets) let go, there was a noise that made it damned clear that something was broke in there.

[Fe Butte]

I had a rough time trying to convince one of the motor officers I ride with that the rear motor mount /swing arm rubbers needed replacing on his '04 CVO.

Well starter was not catching every time and gettin worse and then his transmission started popping out of second on decelleration.

So he finally took it to an indy for work. The swing arm bushings were way past overdue.

Now it handles better than it ever did.

He also had a Hayden primary auto tensioner installed.

[Sonic]

guess I should check mine....sigh.....Nice Job!!

[Dinero]

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

When my fairing brackets (and before that my speaker brackets) let go, there was a noise that made it damned clear that something was broke in there.

Mine just caused vibration and not noticeable noise.

Or, your hearing is better than mine.

[MegaGlide]

Originally Posted by Sonic

guess I should check mine....sigh.....Nice Job!!

Oh, heck, no need Chris. Remember when your belt let go and I mentioned that they may be the source of your vibration, and it'd just be the cost of parts to have them put in while the ass end of your bike was apart anyway? That Indy who can't torque a rear axle nut to save his ass told you they were fine...

Just breakin' balls. I hope the cupped front tire is where your vibration is comin' from.

[MegaGlide]

Originally Posted by Dinero

Mine just caused vibration and not noticeable noise.



Or, your hearing is better than mine.

Maybe it's just where they broke, but I had some metal on metal sounds in there with the speaker mount when I hit bumps, and a way different buzz with the fairing bracket. Of course, all the roads here aren't smooth as glass like in Texas.

[Dinero]

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

Maybe it's just where they broke, but I had some metal on metal sounds in there with the speaker mount when I hit bumps, and a way different buzz with the fairing bracket. Of course, all the roads here aren't smooth as glass like in Texas.

True.

But I did hit a bump the other day.

[TalonChief]

Originally Posted by Geezer-Glide

Pop off your outer fairing and check the upright brackets. Dollars will get you donuts that one of them (left side most likely) is cracked.

They're the new and improved versions already.

[Fe Butte]

Originally Posted by Dinero

True.

But I did hit a bump the other day.

You mighta hit a horny toad!