| Author | Message | ||
     Ulyful |
New to the site--GREAT SITE/INFO--looks like I have a few minor items to check (wheel bearings, sidestand, etc......went through the "new riders" section already). Back to my question......has anyone experienced instrument panel vibration on their '06 XB12X??? I just bought one with only 3,000 miles on it--great bike--but when the engine revs cycle up and down (mostly down) through around the 2,000 RPM range, I get a very annoying instrument panel vibration. I've seen some Buell Service Bulletins for some older model Buells (1995's) on the Service Bulletin thread that show an "Instrument Panel Stabilizer" that appears to help reduce the vibration on mid-90's Buells, but haven't seen anything for Uly's. This apparently is a known problem with past Buell models so wondering why Buell didn't see to it that this issue didn't happen on future models. The previous owner (original owner) said he took it in and the Buell dealer at the time just put a rubber pad in somewhere to help quell the vibration but it's still pretty awful. Before I start taking parts off the instrument panel/upper cowl one-by-one (starting with the wind/bug screens) and seeing which one may need to be stiffened/modified/better secured/replaced, I was hoping someone might tell me where the target problem area might be. Thanks. | ||
| Buell_lee |
Try taking the horn off then see if you still have the vibration. I ended up moving mine up to the back of the bike it nearly drove me mad!! | ||
| Ericz |
Usually the three rubber grommets are not "compressed" enough to prevent that type of vibration. I have added one larger washer between the back of the rubber grommets and three small washers that secure the gauge assembly to the bike. The larger washer must have an i.d. that will slip over the unthreaded section of the stud and an o.d. that is just as large as the grommet. The larger washer compresses the grommets just enough to completely eliminate all gauge movement but still allows plenty of vibration dampening. | ||
| Ulyful |
The original owner I bought the bike from didn't make any mods to the bike (according to him). I believe him. He "disclosed" the vibration issue to me (in the spirit of full disclosure) prior to me driving 500 miles to his house to come pick it up. The bike has the original windscreen/windshield, but if the vibration only gets worse with a larger windscreen, which I eventually plan to install (the biggest one I can find actually--I'm 6' 5" and don't like buffeting) I will need to be doubly sure I eliminate the issue before installing a larger windscreen. The vibration issue doesn't occur at idle, only around 2,000 RPM. I own a '12 Road King w/TC103 that shakes alot more than this bike at idle. I'm perfectly fine with the normal idle vibration on the Uly. The front of the bike seems to do more than just vibrate. It's a very healthy "shudder", brought on by engine RPM's. The shudder goes away with more (or less) engine RPM's. One poster responded with the front engine isolator may be shot. I will be sure to look at that very closely when I start the investigation. I'll also be sure to inspect the rubber grommets holding the gauge assembly (and anything else under there) and make sure they are compressed enough to reduce vibration. Good suggestion Eric. A few others have mentioned the horn possibly banging on the underside of the flyscreen. That sucker will be the first one to come off! (after windshield and flyscreen of course!--another good suggestion) Has anyone replaced the upper locating pins in their windshield (to flyscreen) with the Chinese screw/rubber grommets sold on Ebay? ....or possibly factory ones? I would think the four-point secure system would be more robust and secure than Buell's OEM two fasteners and two push pins/locating pins system. The pics provided by Arcticktm (posted in another section) really help drive home the point that there is ALOT of stuff underneath that flyscreen. I have the patience to wrap each and every hanging component in fabric to see if I can isolate the problem. Any others that might have an idea what might be wrong or where I should look, I'm still very willing to listen. Thanks much guys. | ||
| Sifo |
The front of the bike seems to do more than just vibrate. It's a very healthy "shudder", brought on by engine RPM's. The shudder goes away with more (or less) engine RPM's. One poster responded with the front engine isolator may be shot. I will be sure to look at that very closely when I start the investigation. That does sound like the front isolator going bad. I almost suggested this, but thought that you would be complaining of vibration through the whole front of the bike. Maybe it's just on it's way out, so not too bad yet. I just don't remember the cluster vibrating on my XB12Ss when the isolator went bad. 3,000 miles is very low mileage for a bad isolator though. The part about being worst in the lower RPM range on deceleration is the typical description though. It's a pretty easy part to replace and wasn't terribly expensive back when I did mine. I guess that would be the "good news". | ||
| Schleppy |
Make sure you check your primary tension as well. My XB12Ss shudders pretty bad around that RPM if the primary is too loose. | ||
| Ulyful |
Thanks. I'll be checking: Front Isolator, Primary chain tension, missing hardware, horn vibration, and windscreen vibration. Will not stop until I find it. I'm currently distracted unfortunately with getting some outdoor house maintenance projects completed before the Michigan winter sets in. The XB vibration investigation may have to wait until the off-season. I'll be sure to let everyone know what it was when I find it. Thanks for taking the time to share your insights. | ||
| Ulyful |
I kept poking around the awesome BWB site and found this thread that pretty much explains the vibration I'm experiencing... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/626617.html I looked at my front engine isolator and found there's no 1/8" to 1/4" gap between flange on the hex socket bolt that goes through the isolator and the rubber washers attached to the isolator itself (as shown in the "bad isolator" picture in the thread). I'm sure the engine is bangin' on the front steering head that the isolator bolt is attached to, causing the heavy shake on the front end of my bike. I'm gonna replace that sucker right away! I'll let y'all know if that takes care of the vibration problem. |
