[carlspeed]

Hi guys! A buddy of mine sold his hand built bike because he wanted to get something more comfortable for his wife. He wanted a street glide, but found a really great deal on a road glide, and after he went to the dealer and drove both, he decided he would "live" with the road glide, which he liked better all around! He got a GREAT deal on a 2007 Road Glide with about 22k on it, and it has the 96ci motor. He loves the way it rides, and even wifey commented on how much more comfortable it was than the last scooter.

Except one thing. She noticed, and I did too, that the engine shakes really bad at idle. We went to a local bike night and I saw an 07 road and street glide. Both bikes had kitten smooth motors at idle. I was thinking I would order new motor mounts and do the job for him for his birthday as a surprise, but after reading around on the forums, I'm seeing that some people say the motor is an "A" motor, which means it vibrates more at stock. It doesn't seem right to me, but I'm not familiar with Harley's so I can't really say from experience.

Anyway, I hope someone can shed some light on it. I know it's not a bit deal because the bike pulls hard, and so hard that I would be flabbergasted to find out something was actually really wrong with it.

Thanks in advance! I'll probably be joining the Harley club myself in a year or two. For now I'll also have to "live" with a Yamaha Warrior.

 

[sj01fltri]

Does it smooth out as soon as you twist the throttle a little,if so this normal and its possible that the mounts need replaced.If it vibrates at highway speeds then that could be an internal issue.

 

[calgaryglide]

Change the front motor mount to a Glide Pro. Follow the assembly instructions and then see what type of vibration at idle after that.

It is a Harley, it will rattle a bit at idle.

Calgaryglide

 

[ironmark]

The HD "A" engine is in the touring model HD and that engine doesn't have a balancer, the "B" engine has a balancer and it is mostly in the softail model HD and that's the difference between the "A" and the "B" style HD engine.
On the bike you a referring too there is only 1 motor mount that can be replaced and it is located in the front of the engine, the engine is bolted to the transmission and the rear of the trans is attached to the frame using the swing arm bolt.
The 07 and later motor mounts are pretty durable and they usually don't have any problems, HD did have a problem with the rubber compound on the earlier model motor mounts but they solved that issue by changing the compound in the rubber.
Basically you would be wasting your money buying a motor mount.
The idle vibration is the nature of the beast and performance mods such as cams and timing adjustments can increase the vibration of the engine when at a idle.
Chances are the since the bike was bought used the previous owner did some performance up grades to the bike.
Too me what you are describing is considered normal and the bike should be just fine.

 

[carlspeed]

Thanks all. It is only at idle, which is set currently around 900rpm. Even just going to 1000rpm causes the motor to smooth out. In fact at idle, it's so bad that the intake or whatever on the clutch side is shaking like a fish out of water!

 

[JacktheBagger]

the idle should be set at around 1050-1100 rpm anyways

JtB

 

[ironmark]

Thanks all. It is only at idle, which is set currently around 900rpm. Even just going to 1000rpm causes the motor to smooth out. In fact at idle, it's so bad that the intake or whatever on the clutch side is shaking like a fish out of water!

That the horn on the left side and it is rubber mounted so it should shake. The intake is on the right side of the bike and it will move with the engine. Jack is correct the idle speed should be 1050 to 1100 rpm but if is set at 900 or so the bike will be fine.
My 08 shakes like a Nun in a whore house.:wink:

 

[staush]

If it's his first harley then it's true, what the hell is all this shaking? My first harley when at idle i thought the bike was gonna shake apart (compared to 80 goldwing). Now i know it's normal and wouldn't change a thing. I love that shaking, you know your on a motorcycle and not in a car without doors.

 

[landshark]

They don't call em paint shakers for nothing. My 08 would shake so bad you'd think it was going to come apart. If he's holding the front brake at idle the shaking is worse. As long as it smooths out at speed. Sound normal to me.

 

[Big_gary]

Clean the air filter and check the plugs. It should idle about 1k. Any mods on the engine ?

 

['05Train]

It's a 9 year old bike, and it's entirely possible (likely even) that the motor mounts are worn. I've heard conflicting reports on the Glide-Pro mounts, but anything will likely be better than what's on there now.

 

[lil chief]

A lean condition as well as a crappy tune can also cause vibration. Check to make sure the pipes aren't hitting any part of the frame as well.

Lil Chief

 

[carlspeed]

Thanks guys. He's had several bikes, last was a built late 90's 88 fat boy on a custom chassis warmed up to about 97. It was quick. New bike probably vibrates more at idle, but it's way smoother at speed. How can I check the front mount? Easy way to raise idle back up a hundred? Pretty sure it's stock tune with pipes. I'll confirm. Thanks everyone. Pretty crazy to have this many replies already.

 

[JacktheBagger]

Pretty crazy to have this many replies already.

Is why we are the coolest and bestest forum on the internet , the outernet , overnet and undernet ...

Now go buy you a Roadie and bed one with it ..

JtB

 

[ironmark]

It's a 9 year old bike, and it's entirely possible (likely even) that the motor mounts are worn. I've heard conflicting reports on the Glide-Pro mounts, but anything will likely be better than what's on there now.

Don't waste your money on a glidepro motor mount the stock HD motor mount works just fine.
I have over a 100,000 miles on my 08 bike and the motor mount is just fine. Chances are your motor mount is good because the shake at idle is normal.
Don't worry about raising the idle you need to access the ECM to do it you would need to hook up a computer and you would need the hardware and software, a dealer could access the ECM but is it worth the cost to have them do it.
The bike idle being set at 900 rpm isn't going to hurt a thing.

 

[reds4]

Now if you want to see a well engineered or just show off....
With the bike up to temp and standing off to the right..quickly red-line the the bike twice....see ow that motor lifts, it a thing of beauty :wink: at your own risk

 

[Smarty]

Don't waste your money on a glidepro motor mount the stock HD motor mount works just fine.
I have over a 100,000 miles on my 08 bike and the motor mount is just fine. Chances are your motor mount is good because the shake at idle is normal.
Don't worry about raising the idle you need to access the ECM to do it you would need to hook up a computer and you would need the hardware and software, a dealer could access the ECM but is it worth the cost to have them do it.
The bike idle being set at 900 rpm isn't going to hurt a thing.

I disagree completely. I've had two bikes that the stock motor mount broke down because of the oil changes getting on the rubber mount. The Glide Pro is well made and you will never have that problem again. If installed properly like the video shows, no more problem. Everyone has an opinion, and this is mine.

 

[ironmark]

I disagree completely. I've had two bikes that the stock motor mount broke down because of the oil changes getting on the rubber mount. The Glide Pro is well made and you will never have that problem again. If installed properly like the video shows, no more problem. Everyone has an opinion, and this is mine.

What year bikes? HD changed the rubber compound on the motor mounts in 06 or 07 because the earlier motor mount had problems with the rubber compound deteriorating when oil got on the rubber. With the new motor mount with the new rubber compound the deterioration problem is solved and there is no more issues with oil ruining the rubber on the motor mount.
I checked my motor mount on my 08 at 50,000 miles and I just checked it again with over 100,000 miles on it and it had oil on it for who know how long from all the oil changes and there was absolutely no signs of any deterioration.
There could be a issue with a motor mount but it is more unlikely now then it use to be.

 

[Taccone]

The bike shaking like a paint mixer is completely normal! However, if the bike was to run completely smooth at idle then there's something MAJOR wrong lol, it's a Harley Davidson, it'll shake like hell when idling. Your buddy will get used to it and will be accustomed to it in no time. Once you touch the throttle and the bike smooths out proves to all of us that it's running just fine, all normal again.

 

[9over]

I had a similar problem and partially fixed it. New spark plugs, removed the stock rubber bushings and installed new polyurethane riser bushings, enzyme fuel treatment/ ie injector cleaner. Rechecked the neck bearing nut and pinch bolt for correct torque. Loosened the exhaust pipes (not from the engine) and mufflers, then realigned and tightened everything in the proper sequence.
Not sure which did it but the vibration has significantly decreased.
Good luck.