Okay, so I've owned my first HD for a little over a month and have put on 750 miles so far. I've noticed that around thirty + miles an hour as I'm shifting into third and rolling on the throttle that for a bit the engine seems to vibrate as if out of balance but as I continue to apply the throttle it smooths out and goes away. I only notice this at lower speeds as I'm taking off. Is this just one of the normal engine noises that I hear people talk about or should I be concerned? It's a used 2002 (new to me) bought it with 2699 miles on the Odometer. It runs really strong on the freeway having it over 85mph with throttle left but it was only for a short distance. No other complaints really except the new K&N air filter I bought and installed just burped oil all over my pipes after my first ride with it in. I guess the new filter doesn't sop up the oil like the HD original. :frownone

your babying it 30mph in 3rd you should be going 90

A lugging engine will make its displeasure known. At 30 to accelerate you should downshift IMHO.
Matt

If you are "rolling on the throttle" at 30mph as you shift into 3rd gear...you are doing the worst thing for a Sporty: lugging the engine! I have an '05 xl1200c and when "rolling on the throttle", I shift into 3rd gear around 50mph. Now if you are just cruising around town, 30mph might be ok. Of course, I'm speaking about my 1200; I think the 883 would be similar. Don't be afraid to let it rev...Sporty's thrive on it. And yes, all Sporty's have a little vibe to 'em. Enjoy the ride and don't treat it like a little girl. She likes it rough sometimes. Keeps her honest.

BW9
'05xl1200c

Hell, I hit 30 in first gear alone.

Wrokhead

30 in 3rd gear? hell i don't shift out of first till after 30,:banana :yikes :roflblack

30 in 3rd gear? hell i don't shift out of first till after 30,:banana :yikes :roflblack

Great minds think alike ;)

It's a sporty, ride it like you stole it!

Wrokhead

since getting a tach ive shifted by rpms. i rarely look at speedometer. the lowest rpm i upshift is 3500.

Okay Thanks Guy's. I thought I was following the guidance from the HD users manual for shifting speeds. I will step it up a touch. |:>).

Lets us know if it feels better.

Wrokhead

The sporty is the original hotrod of the H-D lineup, it needs to driven like one.:banana

Hell yeah... I am easily 30 on 1st.... After my hop up.. the Sporty is quicker and stronger than ever!!!

Okay, I went out and let her rip.:banana It still has the Vibration but as I'm really rolling on the power now in each gear, I'm through it quicker so it seems less.:rolleyes:
I'm going to just ride it and try not to worry about it. I rode a Savage 650 Thumper several years before so I'm acquainted with vibrations in the bars and pegs but not from what appears to be the engine. Thanks for the encouragement.

Several of us have ridden BSA Victor 441s in the past. After that NOTHING seems to vibrate. They were actually painful at high revs.
Matt

Have you checked the tension of your front engine mount bolts? if not might be worth checking it.
I had a similar vibration I just thought it was normal until I took my highway bars off and fitted HD forward controls and after that I had no vibration anymore.
I red loctite those bolts as well just to stop em coming loose.

Have you checked the tension of your front engine mount bolts? if not might be worth checking it.
I had a similar vibration I just thought it was normal until I took my highway bars off and fitted HD forward controls and after that I had no vibration anymore.
I red loctite those bolts as well just to stop em coming loose.

I'll give it a check as soon as the rain stops next week. Thanks for the info. :clap

Several of us have ridden BSA Victor 441s in the past. After that NOTHING seems to vibrate. They were actually painful at high revs.
Matt

One of my all time favourites, Ive never had the (dubious?) pleasure of riding one, but love the look and sound. A chap I worked with in 1976 had one, I remember him having to kick it to start the bugger about 20 times one hot day!

I gave a chick a short ride on the 441 back in the day and when we stopped she didn't need me any more. Said she had multiple climaxes. LOL
Matt

This reminds me of a super mod for Sportster pillion pads.:banadevi :banadevi :banadevi

Remove the covering of the pillion pad.
Locate a point, equidistant from the front to rear and left side to right side of the pillion pad.
At the centerline of this point construct a circle, equal in diameter to a tennis ball.
Within this circle, excavate from the foam padding a hole, equal in diameter to a tennis ball and one half its diameter in depth.
Within the excavated hole, apply a generous layer of rubber cement, and secure the tennis ball of your choice.
Recover pillion pad with the covering removed in step one.
Secure the Red Head of your choosing on pillion pad, and apply revs generously.:laugh

Best recipe I have ever read :>)
LMAO

I gave a chick a short ride on the 441 back in the day and when we stopped she didn't need me any more. Said she had multiple climaxes. LOL
Matt

:laugh :laugh!

Have you checked the tension of your front engine mount bolts? if not might be worth checking it.
I had a similar vibration I just thought it was normal until I took my highway bars off and fitted HD forward controls and after that I had no vibration anymore.
I red loctite those bolts as well just to stop em coming loose.

Yep, I finally got out there and gave the mount bolts a check. All seemed to be fine. I did notice that when riding is the only time I feel or notice it. When the motor is running, I can rev it up (out of gear of course) and it doesn't have any vibration at all. That means to me I must have it in gear and moving up through them to feel the vibrations.:help1

Thanks for that tip though it makes sense.

I gave a chick a short ride on the 441 back in the day and when we stopped she didn't need me any more. Said she had multiple climaxes. LOL
Matt

Well I give ride to the ladies at work now I'm getting email asking for rides and I know why they tell each other.

Well I give ride to the ladies at work now I'm getting email asking for rides and I know why they tell each other.

Ok,
now is this true or urban legend. Any ladies on this forum care to comment?

yep, all these guys got it right.....2000rpm is the lowest you want to try to throttle up from

Ww

OK........I've resisted too long about saying how I feel about this thread.

Please quote me.....:smoke

I like my bike like I like my women.......Lots of vibration and plenty of curves
to play on.


'nuf said !!

Please quote me.....:smoke

I like my bike like I like my women.......Lots of vibration and plenty of curves
to play on.


'nuf said !![/QUOTE]

You've convinced me. :tour