I note that he made a point of showing that the vibes on the bike weren't bad, even at freeway speed. Has that been everybody's experience?
the vibes on a thumper are really different than those of a multi.
Up until recently, I was also under the impression and belief that single cylinder thumpers have vibrations as part and parcel of the design. BUT something happened that really shook my view that vibrations cannot be cured in singles. When I rode Fireball #10, which was completely rebuilt bolt by bolt, there were no vibrations and the bike was solid like rock though lighter than my G5.
Both are singles with almost same size piston/cylinder 500cc vs 523cc, but the riding experience was very different. My G5 has vibrations at footpegs and at the handlebar that shake the mirrors crazy at all kinds of rpms and speeds. Only at a few select rpms these shakes subside. The bike is stable and all nuts bolts are tight the way they are supposed to be. I know there is nothing 'wrong' with my G5 and I ride it all the time.
So I talked to Chumma who has built this Fireball - what is the secret ? He said it is the crankshaft ! Have you owned another single such as Suzuki 650 or any other brand that is smoother than RE with less vibrations ?