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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Big vibrations issue
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Message started by sak on 05/24/20 at 09:50:52

Title: Big vibrations issue
Post by sak on 05/24/20 at 09:50:52

Hey, I bought a 96 Savage as a bobber project last winter, and now that I’ve got it up and running, I’m getting some really noticable and uncomfortable vibrations all around, like teeth-rattling, at all but the lowest RPM. It’s definitely engine related. I checked the easy stuff like the exjaust and motor mounts, they’re fine. The engine seems to be running fine otherwise, with maybe a slight tapping sound. It’s got 15k km (10k miles) on the clock.

I haven’t check the valve clearances yet, but I assume they wouldn’t affect the vibes. As far as I know, the PO changed the chain tensioner to a modified version. Could messed up timing be a culprit? Any other ideas/suggestions? I’ve read all the topics I could find about vibes, without applicable solutions.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/24/20 at 10:06:00

Vibration aside,, Howzit Run?
And keep your idle RPM up around 1100,, else the cam dont oil right..

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by sak on 05/24/20 at 10:23:06

Hey, it seems to run fine otherwise. Yeah, idle’s good.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by verslagen1 on 05/24/20 at 10:23:43

biggest cause of vibrations are loose motor mounts.
check the torque on all the bolts thru the frame and motor.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 05/24/20 at 10:38:36

Is this your first big thumper. While the LS650 engine is smooth for what it is, it aint a I-4.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by batman on 05/24/20 at 10:39:06

As far as you know the PO changed the tensioner? That sounds like you don't know. It might be time to look . That tapping noise could well be the cam chain .

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by sak on 05/24/20 at 11:20:47

All motor mounts have been checked.

I know this is a big thumper, but I reckon hands and rear going numb after 5 minutes isn’t normal.

The PO’s service history says he changed the camchain tensioner, but I will double check. I assume it doesn’t directly affect the vibes anyway.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/24/20 at 12:47:35

Shouldnt COST anything to ride to the dealership and just ask a mechanic to run it down the road a mile or two,, should it?
Ill bet if ya called them and told them youre new to it,, and not sure,, theyd try to create a good working relationship,, or lie to you so they can screw ya,, but Hey,, its all good, right?

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by norm92de on 05/24/20 at 13:03:22

Sak,
Where do you live, maybe another member lives nearby and you could compare vibrations.

They are not smooth as has been mentioned but not punishing either.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/24/20 at 14:15:35

Ig only hands are sufferin,, ease up on the grip,, If yer Butt is goin into a coma,, probably not a great thing,, or,, You have a sensitive little tushy

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by batman on 05/24/20 at 20:03:22

Sak, the PO 's history said he changed the tensioner ,to me that means the chain was already stretched. Just changing the tensioner without lengthening it would accomplish nothing. $20.00 will buy a new side gasket, a new motor will cost a bit more .
You said the motor mounts are tight, are you aware that the bolts holding the foot pegs pass all the way through and must be held on both sides to tighten?

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by sak on 05/25/20 at 02:12:26

Thanks for the tips everybody. I should maybe have mentioned that I have a pretty good amount of experience riding and working on bikes, so rest assured that I don’t have a death grip on the handlebars or an overly sensitive patootie or whatever else might first come to mind.

Batman - I am aware that the footrest bolts go all the way through. I also checked the PO’s documentation, he apparently did the cam chain tensioner modification himself, as well as fixing the leaky plug in the engine, both as preemptive measures. I will open it up at some point to check how it looks. Due to the low mileage of the bike (10k miles), I don’t think the chain has stretched very much. However, is there a chance that, if the chain skipped a tooth or 2, the engine would vibrate a lot? Or could there be an issue with the balancer?

Has anybody had a similar issue and found a solution?

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by Hiko on 05/25/20 at 02:53:42

From what you describe your vibrations are not normal

Go for the easy options first would be my suggestion
Timing
Engine mounts

FWIW my bike had only done half your miles and my tensioner was out 14mm If you dont know what yours is doing you could take a look

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by Dave on 05/25/20 at 04:26:52

When changing/removing/fixing the cam chain tensioner.....I believe it is nearly impossible to have the chain skip a tooth. There just isn't enough slack in the chain and the engine case has a rail/guide that doesn't allow the chain to drop far enough off the sprocket to jump teeth. I also believe that dropping a tooth one way or the other would hurt performance far more than it would cause horrible vibrations.

Fixing a leaky head plug doesn't provide any opportunity to screw up the cam timing either.......unless the cam was removed for some reason.

Where do you live?

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by sak on 05/25/20 at 14:11:55

Thanks for the info guys. I’m in Finland, a ways away from most forum members, I reckon!

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by batman on 05/25/20 at 19:41:19

There could be one other problem, the tiny snap ring that holds the tensioner in place ,if reused can deform and could come off , this allows the base of the tensioner to TRY and slide off the shaft (bolt ) it can't but it can misalign the rear guide. That's if he used a "standard" tensioner, we have seen other types on your side of the pond.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by DragBikeMike on 05/26/20 at 00:02:28

Is there any chance that the PO installed a high-compression piston (like a Wiseco)?

The stock piston assembly weighs 507 grams. The 94mm Wiseco weighs 455 grams. That's a whopping 52 gram difference. I currently have a 94mm Wiseco in mine and it shakes a bunch more than the stock piston. It's tolerable, but I definitely prefer the stock vibration level. My butt and hands are totally numb after an hour in the saddle at high speed. You can do a quick check; test your compression. If its significantly more than 150 psi there's a good chance you have a high compression piston in there.

Is there any chance that the PO might have had the crankcase open and possibly got the counter-balancer shaft timing marks messed up? The balancer shaft has to be timed to the crankshaft. Only way to do that is with the crankcase split, the gears are inside.

Regarding engine mount bolts, don't forget the top mount. There are three bolts that secure the cylinder head to the frame.

Good luck. Let us know what you find.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by sak on 05/27/20 at 13:39:40

I did a cold compression test, 165 psi. I doubt the PO changed the piston, since he documented all his changes thoroughly and there’s no mention of that. Of course, the bike’s had a few earlier owners.

I’ll check the valve clearances and tensioner as soon as I get a chance.

Title: Re: Big vibrations issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/27/20 at 15:49:29

I think you should find someone familiar with the bike and let someone else see this Horrible vibration,, They DO rattle a body a bit,,
What speeds are your gear changes?
Are you holding the grips tight?