Nixx Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Hello all, I bought my 1998 bird last year with only 23000 miles, done 7000 with fast commuting. Finally i managed to do 130+ mph. From 120 mph the front of the bike starts to vibrate. Is this just the age, or someone had a similar problem? Previously I had two more birds, bought from new, and they were beautiful at high speeds (130+). I will appreciate your comments/suggetsions on why she is letting me down... thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 My first thought Is tire or tires. With 30k miles, you should be on at least your third front and fourth rear. Have YOU replaced tires since you owned it? It might help to post make, and date code of the tires. Next, chain. You are probably 1/2 way through your second chain. Get close and personal with it. Move each link seperately. Just one binding link will shake the bike like a bad tire. Try pulling the chain rearward from the rear sprocket. A good chain will show little gap between the chain and sprocket. Do this, then rotate the tire a little and try again. Chains stretch in sections. If you find a area that really pulls away from the sprocket, then you probably found the problem. You could also have loose head bearings, worn wheel bearings, a sticking fork, etc. But my experience on many bikes lean toward tires and chains. And if a chain, spend the money on a quality O-X chain. They really are smoother, and last longer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardCranium Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 You covered everything I was thinking so...+1 to what redxxrdr said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 3 hours ago, redxxrdr said: My first thought Is tire or tires. Mine also. If the front tire is in good shape with normal air pressure, next have it rebalanced. I have noticed that some tires that are on the market have very stiff sidewalls, too stiff in my opinion but anyway, they seem to transmit more vibration at high speed. After that, what red said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furbird Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Lots of stuff starts moving at those speeds. Are you certain it's coming from the wheel area and not possibly a body vibration? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 13 hours ago, redxxrdr said: My first thought Is tire or tires. With 30k miles, you should be on at least your third front and fourth rear. Have YOU replaced tires since you owned it? It might help to post make, and date code of the tires. Next, chain. You are probably 1/2 way through your second chain. Get close and personal with it. Move each link seperately. Just one binding link will shake the bike like a bad tire. Try pulling the chain rearward from the rear sprocket. A good chain will show little gap between the chain and sprocket. Do this, then rotate the tire a little and try again. Chains stretch in sections. If you find a area that really pulls away from the sprocket, then you probably found the problem. You could also have loose head bearings, worn wheel bearings, a sticking fork, etc. But my experience on many bikes lean toward tires and chains. And if a chain, spend the money on a quality O-X chain. They really are smoother, and last longer. Nailed it, tires and chain. 95% of the time it's one or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXBirdSlapper Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Engine balancer could have failed. Need a new engine if that's the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Tire or chain here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodeRash Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 After my first hard ride on my Bird felt, it the same. I balanced the rear tire and replaced the cupped front. Fixed the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 While changing tires be sure to always inspect your wheel bearings. Had a front go out while out of state at like 25k miles and had a rear go out on another bike at 11k miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBR-RR-XX-CESS Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 6 hours ago, The Krypt Keeper said: While changing tires be sure to always inspect your wheel bearings. Had a front go out while out of state at like 25k miles and had a rear go out on another bike at 11k miles. Really? Unusual for sure. Maybe over torqueing axles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 Well on the XX I used a torque wrench on axles nuts. Other bike bought used and rear hub had 3 bearings, 1 of the 3 was crunching at time of tire change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furbird Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 I went through several sets of front bearings before I finally got a set that lasted. Always use the torque wrench on my stuff and remove/reinstall the wheels myself. Now that's not to say the motorcycle shop didn't overtorque them on the balancing machine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cecome Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 I don't seem to find vibrations till I get to 165ish indicated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 18 minutes ago, cecome said: I don't seem to find vibrations till I get to 165ish indicated... And in my case , it's because my knees are knocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cecome Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 2 hours ago, redxxrdr said: And in my case , it's because my knees are knocking. well never been to 165 ish indicated 135 was my best with bad suspension and lousy ca roads....wish I had the room to let her go for a mile or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBLXX Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 GarXX and I were hovering between 145 and 160 for a long long stretch. The rear tire got so hot it began melting and globs of rubber were stuck to the license plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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