Strange vibration XC-W 530

phxatc · 05-26-2010, 11:23 PM

Just got back from a huge dual sport loop and notice some strange problems with my bike? Its a 2009 XC-W 530 with about 750 miles. When riding at around 50mph or higher sustained. the bike has a strange oscillation. now I know everything vibrates, it is a thumper but this is different and hard to describe so bare with me. When everything is shaking while riding, this is an extra vibration that repeats every 3 seconds or so. So while riding along you feel it hit, vibrate for a second or two then quit, then repeat. its very regular and at higher speeds. Its definatley noticable on pavement. I thought it may be the knobbies or a loose chain, but when you pull in the clutch and coast it goes away. This leads me to believe it definatley cause by the engine, flywheel or something that spins. Any ideas? maybe this is normal. Has anyone else with an XC or EXC noticed this before?

phxatc · 06-02-2010, 10:22 PM

No thoughts??? Anyone have this problem

bajadog · 06-03-2010, 07:32 AM

I will ask some friends with the overhead cam motors.

I am not familiar with that type.

bajadog · 06-03-2010, 11:47 AM

Here are some of the replies I got:

"My 530 does that and its actually the chain resinating, shift down where the motor is at a happy RPM and see if it stops. I also added spoke weights 180deg from the rim lock to help balance the wheels."

"Yes, I agree that wheel balance can cause this and you need to balance both front and back. Your getting, I think, a harmonic type oscillation that can be fixed by doing any number of things as mentioned in the prior posts and your post. Changing speed, drive power etc. I am very sensitive to front wheel vibration as I do ride a lot on the pavement in Baja and in So. Cal as I often ride to the events. LA B to V I rode 940 miles in 2 days so I really want the bike to be stable and smooth. In fact, just the other day I had one rim up front that was so beat up from high speed hits in Baja that I just laced up a new one and now it feels good again. I even now have gone so far as to buy the Park Tools truing stand and I have taught myself how to lace and true wheels. Not that hard and balancing is really easy to do. For balancing, I use the Marc Parnes wheel balancer and I buy weights from him too."

phxatc · 06-08-2010, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajadog

Here are some of the replies I got:

"My 530 does that and its actually the chain resinating, shift down where the motor is at a happy RPM and see if it stops. I also added spoke weights 180deg from the rim lock to help balance the wheels."

"Yes, I agree that wheel balance can cause this and you need to balance both front and back. Your getting, I think, a harmonic type oscillation that can be fixed by doing any number of things as mentioned in the prior posts and your post. Changing speed, drive power etc. I am very sensitive to front wheel vibration as I do ride a lot on the pavement in Baja and in So. Cal as I often ride to the events. LA B to V I rode 940 miles in 2 days so I really want the bike to be stable and smooth. In fact, just the other day I had one rim up front that was so beat up from high speed hits in Baja that I just laced up a new one and now it feels good again. I even now have gone so far as to buy the Park Tools truing stand and I have taught myself how to lace and true wheels. Not that hard and balancing is really easy to do. For balancing, I use the Marc Parnes wheel balancer and I buy weights from him too."

Thanks for the reply. I don't have rim locks since I am using the tubless tire system. But I will look at balancing the tires anyway. As far as the RPM range I am usually cruising where the engine is happy so it must be the chain ocsilating or wheel balance. i ruled out pretty much everything else.