Handlebar vibrations

tall dude · Post by **tall dude** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:26 pm

Hi All, I just joined the list

I ride 04 Rock / Copper, 7800 miles. It is my daily commute (4 miles each way living in DFW area). I have hard bags and a 16" Parabellum touring screen.

When shopping, I was sold after a 20 minutes test ride, but what I noticed then still bugs me today.

Bars vibrate quite a lot at legal speeds - 6th gear, 65 - 85 mph.

Once I move up (90mph) it gets better, but then again although one should be entitled to cruise at 90mph + speeds, one could be exposed to unpleasant legal implications if one caught too often...

So I am thinking about the bar snake or other aftermarket add-on to quell the vibes - at the moment my hands go numb in about 30 to 45 minutes.

Experiences/comments are most welcome

thanks

Leno · Post by **Leno** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:33 am

Yes they all do that sir. Well it's true the bars and pegs do vibrate quite a bit and over time you can get some problems. One of the things to do is ensure your posture is correct and that you are not putting too much weight on the bars. A slight twist of the bars forward or back can help in that area.

Britbike Mike · Post by **Britbike Mike** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:42 am

Damn, and I thought mine was the only rockster in the DFW area.

Taipan · Post by **Taipan** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:57 am

Get your valve clearances checked and your TBs balanced. Eithe ro fthese can cause vibes. But they are known for beinga bit "buzzy". Some say filling the bars with silicon (caulk) helps?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 10:31 am

Well, thanks to Taipan, Leno, Britbike Mike (sorry...).

I am more aware of the posture - ever since I started riding this 'rad - less hands/more abs and knees. It helps.

I was due to visit a dealership this weekend so I will ask about the valve tolerances (what is TB's balancing by the way).

You know I still think this is one of the few "does it all" machines on the market it just needs a couple of adjustments. I 've been reading about them on this site:

1) better seat (I have Alaska sheep skin pad - works better than the regular seat). I am inclined to keep it even if/when I acquire Sargent as it keeps the temperature well (both wither and summer)

2) Screen - Parabellum is OK, very efficient - great customer service by Charlie P.

3) Roadster bars - not for me I am 6'6" - flat ones are ok

4) lower pegs - hmm sounds tempting - will consider

But the worse at least for me is the fact that my hands (left in particular) go numb due to the bar buzz.

So I did some research and found this bar snake product (http://www.barsnake.com). It is relatively cheap and reversible mod (30$ shipped), I was wandering if anyone on this site have had the pleasure.
1) Was it a true DYI project
2) Does it help

I heard there are some other similar type products on the market as well.

As for the silicon, thank you for the advice I appreciate the input, but I read that it is not that efficient (and cannot be retrofitted)

fnfalman · Post by **fnfalman** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 10:53 am

Yep, in 6th gear at that speed, the handlebar buzzes quite a bit. When I installed the Throttlemeister friction lock, I went with the heavier weight one (they have a standard weight and heavy weight) and that helped quell the buzz a lot.

tall dude · Post by **tall dude** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 11:31 am

Hi fnfalman,

were you able to install the Throttlemeister yourself? How long it took?

Illuvatar · Post by **Illuvatar** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:13 pm

Hey ya!

Welcome to the world of ROCK!

The Throttlemeister thing is easy peasy....

You just loosen the screw, take your existing weights off, and screw the TM ones on.

I leave the stock ones on mostly cause their black and TM only comes in silver which takes away from the look just a tad, but I do put them on for long rides.

As to the vibration...well...considering that I tend to ride her hard(usually in 5,800-6,500 RPM range), I just got used to it cause with the engine wound up it's got a good little buzz to it.

fnfalman · Post by **fnfalman** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 6:38 pm

Throttlemeister installation is easy, except if you have heated grips and then you gotta be careful not to pinch the wires. Since that I had heated grip and my bike was in for the Remus exhaust modification, I let the dealership install the Throttlemeister as well. You must specify the heavy unit or otherwise they'll just sell you the regular unit. The heavy unit really helps quelling the buzz.

Illuvatar · Post by **Illuvatar** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:31 pm

fnfalman wrote:Throttlemeister installation is easy, except if you have heated grips and then you gotta be careful not to pinch the wires. Since that I had heated grip and my bike was in for the Remus exhaust modification, I let the dealership install the Throttlemeister as well. You must specify the heavy unit or otherwise they'll just sell you the regular unit. The heavy unit really helps quelling the buzz.

Wow! Your wires are exposed?

Let me know when you'll be down at Irv's again as I have the headed grips and swap these guys out all the time without an issue and have never seen a wire one.

SLEDGE · Post by **SLEDGE** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:38 am

Dito with what Taipan said. TBI, Throtal Body Injection (fuel), when balanced both will be pasing the same amount of air/fuel mixter. The closer the cyinder work equily the smother the engine will run. R.D.

fnfalman · Post by **fnfalman** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 2:17 pm

Illuvatar wrote:
fnfalman wrote:Throttlemeister installation is easy, except if you have heated grips and then you gotta be careful not to pinch the wires. Since that I had heated grip and my bike was in for the Remus exhaust modification, I let the dealership install the Throttlemeister as well. You must specify the heavy unit or otherwise they'll just sell you the regular unit. The heavy unit really helps quelling the buzz.
Wow! Your wires are exposed? Let me know when you'll be down at Irv's again as I have the headed grips and swap these guys out all the time without an issue and have never seen a wire one.

Well, I haven't taken the Rockster's grip off but when Irv Seaver's installed the Throttlemeister the first time, my heated grip on the right side stopped working. They had to go in and remounted the grip and the Throttlemeister and the mechanic (old Asian guy) said something about pinching a wire.

shelion · Post by **shelion** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:14 pm

Ok, this might sound stupid but have you tried riding in a lower gear so the rpms are higher? I noticed some vibes when I first got mine but once I was out of the 'official' break-in period and could run the rpm's up, the buzzing decreased. Now I don't notice any untoward vibrations at all.

Another low tech suggestion that may or may not help is padded riding gloves.

Just my 2 coppers.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:06 am

I say GET OVER IT and enjoy your bike. It's a modified touring bike afterall, and of the 7 bikes I've owned it is by far the most comfortable for doing distance at any revs. Let's complain about some real issues, like "why doesn't my bike vibrate more because it helps me get laid"?

Mike