Problem with the dog...not sure how to describe.

[linx]

Hey gang,
Last weekend I took a road trip. About 30 miles into my 314 mile journey, I noticed the big was shaking a bit more than usual in like 4th gear. I stopped at a stop light, and everything "looked" ok. I continued on, and it seemed like the bike was lugging in any gear I put it in, so to counteract, I ran the bike in higher RPM's than I usually do. Nothing major, around 3000-4000 rpm before shifting, and I idled at closer to 3000 instead of 2000.

Well, it seemed to do decent like that, but the sputter feeling was still there at lower RPM's. I guess I forgot about it, and kept riding.

Today I go and get on the bike, and it seems to be running find in Neutral, but running like crap in any gear I put it in. It's real faint, but I can feel it. I thought maybe a plug, so I pulled the plugs and they are fine. I checked every allen bolt I could, that I had the right sizes for. I had read on here where the top motor mount could come loose, but I didn't have an allen that size (tomorrow I will). I went around the block, and decided I didn't feel safe riding her, so I came back and parked it.

It's really hard to explain, but I'll do my best. It feels like you took a V8 engine, and unplugged 1 plug wire, and drove it that way. It's not intense, but you can tell something just aint right. It's not as bad as only running on 1 cylinder, which runs horrible. It seems to only be doing it while in gear.

Is there anything I'm missing that I can look for before I drop it off at the dealer and spend a buttload of money? Could the tranny or clutch be going out, at only 2200 miles?!

Thanks in advance. I did some research, and will continue to do some research. I know I'll hear "hell, they just shake like that", but it never has before like this, and I just "KNOW" something isn't right. My first impression when it just happened was my tranny came loose, but it seems tight.

Any ideas?

 

[Eric]

not sure. even though the plugs look good one maybe breaking down... or a plud wire going bad.. just guessing.. do you think it could be bad fuel.. water in it or something??

 

[HotRod]

Idleing at 3k rpm instead of 2k rpm? mine idles at 1k rpm I shift no less than 3k rpm, Have you checked the air fillter for oil? I know if you dont bring youre rpms up before you shift the air filter will get gas and oil soaked just something to look at. Good luck. also could be a bad plug wire. just my thoughts.

 

[ess286]

I can tell you what isn't wrong. The bitchin color of your bike. You know I love it

 

[linx]

not sure. even though the plugs look good one maybe breaking down... or a plud wire going bad.. just guessing.. do you think it could be bad fuel.. water in it or something??

That's a good observation. One thing about me, is I'll try ANYTHING people throw at me. In the morning I'll take the plugs out and just buy new ones. Hell, they're only a few bucks. I'm not sure about the plug wires, or even if they're stock. They "look and feel" good, and are Excel 8.8's. I've been through like 3 tanks with it this way now.

What's hard to say, is that it's vibration, b/c from reading those vibration posts, people get pissy saying "if you don't like vibration, get a wimpy bike". Well, you know from riding your bike daily, that if something changes, and it's not right, then it's not right, haha.

Thanks for the suggestion Eric...your posts are always insightful!

Idleing at 3k rpm instead of 2k rpm? mine idles at 1k rpm I shift no less than 3k rpm, Have you checked the air fillter for oil? I know if you dont bring youre rpms up before you shift the air filter will get gas and oil soaked just something to look at. Good luck. also could be a bad plug wire. just my thoughts.

Well, idling at part, it idles real low like that. What I was meaning, and may not have said right, was cruise rpm's. Sorry about that...it's one of those things where I'm trying to get all the details right to try and get the best help. I'm sure I'm not "lugging" the engine, but it seems like when I'm in a cruise gear, it's around 2000-2500 RPM, and to get it to "even out" I was having to ride 3000-3500 rpm. I always change the gears at higher RPM, but I don't mind taking the air filter out in the morning and checking for gas/oil. Any and every suggestion will be tried!

I can tell you what isn't wrong. The bitchin color of your bike. You know I love it

LOL Thanks. I love it too...all my previous bikes were black, and this yellow sure get's the attention more than the black did. I'm hooked on the color!

 

[oldmutt]

A few months ago I bought my first big dog and I had the same thing. Between 2000 and 2500 rpm in any of the higher gears it would vibrate a little. I found my rear tire pressure was at 20 psi. I put it up to 42 and most of the vibration went away. It still has a little but then again it is not a rubber mounted motor. It I keep it at 2500 or above I am go to go.

 

[yarddog]

sounds like what happen to mine. top motor mount...if it is ,they come loose from time to time ,take m-m top bolt out drill hole all the way through frame, and put lock nut on it.mine seem tight but u really got to tighten down on it.

 

[mobsta]

is this carbbed?

 

[linx]

sounds like what happen to mine. top motor mount...if it is ,they come loose from time to time ,take m-m top bolt out drill hole all the way through frame, and put lock nut on it.mine seem tight but u really got to tighten down on it.

Any clue what size allen that is? I had 3 sets at my office, and none of them were the right size. Maybe like a 7/16? I didn't have that size on hand.

is this carbbed?

Yes, carbed, jetted, and V&H Big Radius.

It's strange how it just started.

 

[jimizee028]

you sure you aint leaving the parking brake on??????

 

[mobsta]

ok if its iidling real low and runnin shitty just for chits and giggle make sure your enricher is all the way down,mine moved up on me once causing problems,sorry i have to ask this

 

[linx]

you sure you aint leaving the parking brake on??????

Yeah, I checked that, and went ahead and changed my blinker fluid while I was at it, and tightened up the muffler belt! :2thumbs:

ok if its iidling real low and runnin shitty just for chits and giggle make sure your enricher is all the way down,mine moved up on me once causing problems,sorry i have to ask this

First thing I did, and checked it again Hell, there's NO bad suggestions man...keep them coming!

 

[mobsta]

how about runnin without the air cleaner

 

[linx]

how about runnin without the air cleaner

Mobsta, I can't check it tonight, but I will gladly check it in the morning!

 

[kickstart]

3/8 allen

 

[linx]

3/8 allen

Roger that, thanks. I just grabbed one and will have it in the morning. In fact, I grabbed a 3/8 allen socket, and a 3/8 T-handle. I'm gonna check all motor/tranny mounts.

So in the morning, I'm going to:
#1. Check mounts...top and bottom.
#2. Check air filter for gas/oil
#3. Change Spark Plug/Inspect Wires
#4. Check air pressure.
#5. Lastly run with no air filter

Like I said, I'll try anything. I hope it aint something major like the clutch or tranny. I'll update. Any more suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Staffy]

Drain the fuel tank - clean the jets out. (IMPORTANT - Besides the int and main jet there is an air-bleed jet / opening - DO CLEAN THAT). Sorry, dont have a picture of it, but if you drop the float bowl, its located on the underside of the main body, towards the left - as you face the carb.
Good luck.

 

[Mojo]

I hope it aint something major like the clutch or tranny. I'll update. Any more suggestions would be appreciated.

Are you having any difficulty shifting gears or is the bike trying to move when the clutch is pulled in at a stop with the bike in gear?

 

[wyatt580]

MINE DID THE SAME THING. TOP MOTOR MOUNT CAME LOOSE.PUT LOCK WASHER ON IT AND RED LOCKTIGHT. ALLS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[linx]

Are you having any difficulty shifting gears or is the bike trying to move when the clutch is pulled in at a stop with the bike in gear?

Mojo, getting into gear? No problem there, it shifts good...it kills my hand, but shifts good nonetheless. When I go from Neutral to 1st gear, it does try to creap slightly, but not enough to pull the bike or anything...you can just barely tell. I was planning on adjusting the clutch soon, just hadn't got to it yet. The only way to get it into Neutral is to rev the motor, or put it in N while it's still rolling...but from what I hear, that's natural.

MINE DID THE SAME THING. TOP MOTOR MOUNT CAME LOOSE.PUT LOCK WASHER ON IT AND RED LOCKTIGHT. ALLS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be checking that 1st thing this morning. I hope it's something simple like that! If it is, then lock washer/red locking it is that way I don't have to worry about it anymore. One other member said something about drilling the motor mount out, but I'd rather try something else first so I don't chip my powdercoat.

I'm going to work here in about an hour. I'll update this thread later on and let you guys know. Shitty part is I'm going out of town tomorrow for like 5 days to see the In-Laws. I'm not riding the bike, but it'll be on my nerves the whole time I'm gone if I don't fix it, haha.