Author Topic: Sudden vibration while riding today  (Read 2410 times)

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rvcycleguy

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on: August 18, 2013, 11:04:34 pm

Took the bike out for its weekly 2 hour ride.   On the way back I was still 15 miles from home and the bike developed a heavy vibration.  Couldn't make it out, hard to check it while riding.  Performance was not affected and the gearing seemed to be ok.  Vibration increased with rpm's. Thought it might be the chain, so I started to take it easy to get home.  Came to a highway stoplight and the bike died.  Low idle I guess.  Pushed it out of traffic to kick start it.  Took a couple of kicks and then when it started, I heard a metal sound hit the ground.  Looked down and saw a 3inch bolt?  Was this from my bike?  Looked underneath the gas tank and sure enough, the upper engine mount bolt was missing.  Wow,  must have vibrated off on the ride today.  With the bolt now in my pocket, vibration was worse.  Took it very slow the last few miles to get home.  I'll have to get me a lock nut and replace the bolt.  Interesting day.
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1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


RoyalDetroit

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Reply #1 on: August 20, 2013, 04:17:39 pm
Kind of scary, when you reinstalled the bolt was everything back to normal?
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rvcycleguy

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Reply #2 on: August 20, 2013, 05:40:41 pm
Kind of scary, when you reinstalled the bolt was everything back to normal?

Yes it was back to normal.  Over a riding period of 10 miles, the bike went from smooth to a little vibration under load only. As I rode further, it became worse and was worried it was doing serious damage to some engine or tranny component.  Then the hex head cap screw fell out.  It was actually a good sign that the bikes internal aspects were not the problem.  I replaced it yesterday with a lock nut and locktite and its running smooth again.
1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


barenekd

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Reply #3 on: August 21, 2013, 02:01:01 am
Reading your first post, before I got to the end of it I suspected the tank mounts. Glad you found that was the culprit. Loctite!
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rvcycleguy

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Reply #4 on: August 21, 2013, 02:14:05 am
Reading your first post, before I got to the end of it I suspected the tank mounts. Glad you found that was the culprit. Loctite!
Bare

That's exactly what I thought it was while riding.  In fact, while riding I grabbed the tank front and rear to check if the tank bolts had become loose.
1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


D the D

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Reply #5 on: August 21, 2013, 02:41:35 am
Same symptoms, but it was the head brace bolt at the head for me.
'07 Iron Barrel Military (Deceased 14 September, 2013)
2014 Yamaha Bolt R Spec V-Twin
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rvcycleguy

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Reply #6 on: August 21, 2013, 03:00:31 am
Same symptoms, but it was the head brace bolt at the head for me.

D, that's the bolt that came out on me.  The head brace.  I said upper engine mount because I did not know the proper name. 
1956 Bullet 500 (G2) Custom tank, Silencer Muffler, Powder Coated Chassis
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800cc) Touring set-up. white walls, pearl white w/ ghost flames


Ice

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Reply #7 on: August 21, 2013, 03:30:23 am
You will also hear some of us call it a head steady as well.
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D the D

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Reply #8 on: August 21, 2013, 04:12:01 am
I just wanted to differentiate from the bolt at the other end that is also my rear tank bolt.  Whatever one calls it, it isn't fun to lose.
'07 Iron Barrel Military (Deceased 14 September, 2013)
2014 Yamaha Bolt R Spec V-Twin
1975 XLCH