its like a whole new mystical world.... 
Anybody swapped the swinging arm bushes and engine mounts on a tourer?
- Thread starter Rob Farmer
- Start date
It was like that riding 'round the Pyrenees a few years back...
I thought it was the snow, or the tyres, but infact it's the bike
Just ordered the latest front engine mount from the states. The latest is version d. Mines still the original for the bike. Apparently it's a completely different compound.
Even with paying postage from the states and paying the import duty up front I've saved nearly £30 compared to the price in the uk. We're getting ripped off big time.
Even with paying postage from the states and paying the import duty up front I've saved nearly £30 compared to the price in the uk. We're getting ripped off big time.
Front mount
May be too late as you've already ordered but the word on the web is the 'D is too firm. The 'B was softer and better apparently, no longer available but Buell had it under another part number (sorry, not known).
Glide-Pro's front mount works well even on it's own apparently. Their swing arm bush kit cures handling but adds vibes. Their website has soem good videos on it about this area.
As you can guess, I am currently investigating the issue. My problem is vibes not handling but I suspect the swing arm isolators (rubber doughnuts) have worn. I did find my V-Twin Mfg centre stand mounting bolt had fouled (rested against) the gearbox. That added vibes big time until I shortened the bolt.
After changing any mounts, re-do the alignment including resetting the engine steadies. Start by checking rear wheel axle centre to swingarm pivot on both sides. The workshop manual has a design for a coathanger-based measuring tool. V. useful.
A
May be too late as you've already ordered but the word on the web is the 'D is too firm. The 'B was softer and better apparently, no longer available but Buell had it under another part number (sorry, not known).
Glide-Pro's front mount works well even on it's own apparently. Their swing arm bush kit cures handling but adds vibes. Their website has soem good videos on it about this area.
As you can guess, I am currently investigating the issue. My problem is vibes not handling but I suspect the swing arm isolators (rubber doughnuts) have worn. I did find my V-Twin Mfg centre stand mounting bolt had fouled (rested against) the gearbox. That added vibes big time until I shortened the bolt.
After changing any mounts, re-do the alignment including resetting the engine steadies. Start by checking rear wheel axle centre to swingarm pivot on both sides. The workshop manual has a design for a coathanger-based measuring tool. V. useful.
A
"After changing any mounts, re-do the alignment including resetting the engine steadies. Start by checking rear wheel axle centre to swingarm pivot on both sides. The workshop manual has a design for a coathanger-based measuring tool. V. useful."
+1 on this. Before you do anything check that your swing arm pivot bolt is tight.
Also can reccommend Geoff at http://www.cycleenterprises.co.uk/cms/home
Barrel leaks are easily cured. I normally skim enough off the bottom of the barrel to make them flat again and use Cometic gaskets to seal them.
You can correct the squish at the same time this way.
Once skimmed they rarely distort enough to leak again especially if you warm them up properly.
http://www.cometic.com/big-twin-gaskets.aspx
+1 on this. Before you do anything check that your swing arm pivot bolt is tight.
Also can reccommend Geoff at http://www.cycleenterprises.co.uk/cms/home
Barrel leaks are easily cured. I normally skim enough off the bottom of the barrel to make them flat again and use Cometic gaskets to seal them.
You can correct the squish at the same time this way.
Once skimmed they rarely distort enough to leak again especially if you warm them up properly.
http://www.cometic.com/big-twin-gaskets.aspx
I read they bought the d part out to cure a vibration problem on the 05 machines. I guess the only way to find out is to try it. The d part is still used on the newer machines.
Got to be worth a try as I'm not keen on surfing sideways on every ridge and ripple in the road.
Got to be worth a try as I'm not keen on surfing sideways on every ridge and ripple in the road.
Casper,
Thanks for info. I've spoken to Geoff. He preped my first harley in 1989 when he worked for windy corner.
He's sorting out a price for all the bushes and new cleave blocks along with aligning the bike. He's nice and local so makes things easy.
Thanks for info. I've spoken to Geoff. He preped my first harley in 1989 when he worked for windy corner.
He's sorting out a price for all the bushes and new cleave blocks along with aligning the bike. He's nice and local so makes things easy.
Front mount
Rob, hadn't heard that about 05 vibration (he said with a vibrating 05!).
I sit corrected and may even get a 'D now.
A
Rob, hadn't heard that about 05 vibration (he said with a vibrating 05!).
I sit corrected and may even get a 'D now.
A
Holy Feck Is this what you had Rob ??
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gmw6QppXnEY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gmw6QppXnEY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Comparison back to back (ish) with a Beemer
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vGY3xeAe5r8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vGY3xeAe5r8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Probably worse than that jay. The front engine bolts were missing so the swinging arm, its bolted to the back of the engine, had the normal lateral movement + the extra from unsecured front mounts, the only thing keeping it in check was the bushes on the shock mounts and the castings on the front of the engine hitting the rubber mount. Not a pleasant experience.
Needless to say its a lot better now. All the tourers and road kings suffer with this to some extent. They didn't sort it out until 2010.
If you've ever wondered why harley riders don't wave it'd be instant death to let go of the bars
Mutley
Registered user
If you ever look at the design of the pre 2010 Glide frame you'll see it was clearly designed to have the swingarm anchored on both the right and left sides of the gearbox. Unfortunately somebody must have rubbed the link out on the drawings and it took them about 100 years to discover the mistake. 
Google 'Touring Link' to find the cure
Google 'Touring Link' to find the cure
Deer Stalker
Registered user
Probably worse than that jay. The front engine bolts were missing so the swinging arm, its bolted to the back of the engine, had the normal lateral movement + the extra from unsecured front mounts, the only thing keeping it in check was the bushes on the shock mounts and the castings on the front of the engine hitting the rubber mount. Not a pleasant experience.
Needless to say its a lot better now. All the tourers and road kings suffer with this to some extent. They didn't sort it out until 2010.
If you've ever wondered why harley riders don't wave it'd be instant death to let go of the bars
I had a 07 Ultra Classic which did this weave business, next one along was a 2010 Ltd by which time as you say things had been improved quite a bit. My current SG has the CVO model premium shocks which are better than the air set up and so now cornering isn't the same 'fun' as it used to be!
