I have posted on this and other boards, talked to, OK, nagged my riding co-workers, even had a friend of friend professional Ducati wrench look over and ride the bike. The pro thinks it could be the front tire cupping on the OEM Metzlers. The vibration stared after chain adjustment and oil change. It feels the worst while in 3rd gear at a steady 37-42mph. Chain is now adjusted right. We can not find anything obvious . I swear I hear valve clatter....getting paranoid
I made an appt with the dealer to look at it. Not sure if I should just go ahead and buy new tires and/or a new chain and keep my fingers crossed.
Bike is an 07 with about 5300 mile. Its no fun to ride right now, I am ready to burn it.
Realy fustrated...I guess I am asking for help as to what would be the next thing to do? Buy tires anyways, bring it to the dealer, (mechanic is a buddy of a coworker) have the insall tires and troubleshoot and test?
If it needs new tires, I would put them on....cheaper than having the dealer just look at it, and kills at least 1 bird. Mostly cupping causes the bars to shake, to the point of dumping the bike if you let go of them, but it could be causing the vibration.
I've seen a world of difference in replacing the front tire as far as vibration goes. I would do that before anything else. A couple of years ago I thought that my steering stem bearings were bad because the bike was shaking so bad, it turned out being a tire issue. Stock tires are crap. Replace them, I think you will be satisfied.
A slight shake in the handlebars is fairly common in the VFR800 when decelerating from around 80 down to 60 km/h if you take your hands off the bars. Normally it's not enough to develop into a tankslapper, although this can happen, normally it's a question of just replacing your hands on the bars and with a little light pressure the shaking is overcome. No probs. But it's another thing altogether if it does it all the time, and of course can be dangerous if the vibrations are more violent... Perhaps if you gave a little more info as to the conditions (speed, straights, cornering, when carrying pillion or hardbags or weight behind... etc), the diagnosis may be a little easier to narrow down...
I do know that the BT020 Batlax will cup and does cause vibrations up front. Maybe you're not referring to this type of vibration, maybe you feel it in your feet, on the pegs... in which case it is more likely to be the chain... if it was tesnioned incorrectly onleaving the dealers, 5000 km is time enough to cause irregular wear... more info please!!
If it's the former of the case scenarios (i.e. in the bars) and you're not weighing the rear of the bike down, it's probably the tyres... you don't say which model of Metzelers they are. Otherwise, setting your sag may help, I once adjusted the preload settings and eliminated the annoying (but not dangerous) slight shake at the bars when decelerating, as I described above. The BT020s I noticed even when cornering... so that was more obviously solved by changing the tyre.
Did this start to happen on Tuesday around 11:45 am? That 5.4 earthquake has been causing some pretty shaky damage... Maybe if you told us WHERE you were from, then maybe we'd get some advice from this Australian guy I know...
Does the bike shake even when turned off? might want to think about a trip to the ol' doctor...
I feel it mostly in the pegs. This all stated right after I did an oil change and adjusted the chain....as soon as I rode it the vibration was there. I readjusted the chain and the vibration was greatly reduced...but I have not been able to get rid of it. Chain doesn't look bad but it now does have a tight spot or two....maybe it should just get a chain? Chain has aways been clean and lubed.
Well thinking about it - the only thing you changed was the chain, so logically I would start there. Where the sprocket is, the rear sprocket, pull on the chain and see if you can pull the chain from the teeth, if you get more than 1/4 of play than your chain is shot and that is what the noise is. A spent chain will clatter - especially when decellerating when it interacts with the front sprocket, you get a clanking sort of grinding noise where the loose pins no longer mesh well with the sprockets.
Could it be possible that you're just lugging the motor by going slow in 3rd gear? Do the vibes go away if you stay in 3rd and get up higher in the rpms?
Tell us what your rpms are in 3rd gear at that 35-40mph range, I don't remember offhand as I usually listen, not look. The motor doesn't run as well below 3000rpm, and will make things shake, esp. the mirrors...
IMHO-
I'd take it out and try to ride it to death, I mean really twist it's tail.
If you suspect valve trouble, you can easily make that worse.
If you blow it up, get the warranty to repair damage.
It is easier to find out what is wrong, when it's really tore up.
I went through the same frustration. Mine turned out the tires and the balancing. I say new tires and balance. And maybe the chain is to loose or tight. I also recieved some good advice from one member to check the frame bolts to see if they were tight. It did go away for the most part. I still feel a bit in the pegs but the tires are starting to wear out again also. Good luck and hang in there.
530 miles and the stock tires must be a little toasty.
That's pretty good mileage for a tire, but lousy for a chain and sprocket.
Those should last much longer. :beer:
Thanks guys. The vibration is felt at all speeds and most notably below the VTech rpms. It is felt mostly in the pegs. I am well into my second season with the bike and am out of the warranty. So I am afraid to run it till it breaks!
Based on your recommendation and the Ducati mechanic I am going to order a set of tires. Even if its not the tires and there is lots of meat left I am leaning towards a set of Michelin Road 2's. If thats not the culprit I will go with chain.
Thanks for the offer of help, but I live in on the North Shore of Boston
[image: View Post]Mac, on Aug 1 2008, 05:26 PM, said:
IMHO-
I'd take it out and try to ride it to death, I mean really twist it's tail.
If you suspect valve trouble, you can easily make that worse.
If you blow it up, get the warranty to repair damage.
It is easier to find out what is wrong, when it's really tore up.
Mac
When I was a communications specialist in the army we called that "tuning for max smoke". The charred components are the bad ones that need to be replaced.
I would agree it's most likely the tires (mainly front) but am just a little puzzled you feel it after a chain adjustment & oil change. You said you readjusted chain so you must have had it to tight so my guess would be the chain as you didn't have problem the ride before oil & chain adjustment. There is also a possibility you have damaged the front sprocket when you had chain to tight because the OEM sprocket isn't a solid forged unit like all the aftermarket sprockets.
I would inspect front sprocket & if chain has tight spots replace it before tires.
[image: View Post]HispanicSlammer, on Aug 2 2008, 01:57 AM, said:
congratulations only 7490 more and you will catch up with SkutterTrash, of course he will have 10k more by then.
:laugh: :laugh: Theres always one in the crowd, us tryin to be serious and all :laugh: ;p
Are you storing your bike outside? Do you live in an area where there is alot of rain? Consider lubing the chain and keep it that way once you get the right tension on it. Then once you fix the problem, start storing your bike inside and make the old lady sleep outside. :goofy:
i would check the front sprocket for torque and condition. if the last thing you did was tighten the chain and oil, like some others said, you should start there. that front sprocket could have some damper issues... it is rubber isolated. perhaps overtighening the chain put a death spell on it?
as for oil... well, if there is oil in it and it is still running...
with the clattering sounds, it sure looks like a chain issue. and the fact that readjusting your chain reduced the noise makes it almost a no brainer.
37-42 MPH is 4-4.5K RPM in 3rd on mine. A little on the low side, but not enough to cause any lugging or vibes on a flat road. It should really still be smooth as silk for you there. Can't quite see it being that bad because of tires at those speeds either. I have over 10K on my OEM BT020 front, and it's fine. I'm probably about an hour and change Northwest of you.
[image: View Post]dirtbag, on Aug 2 2008, 03:01 PM, said:
i would check the front sprocket for torque and condition. if the last thing you did was tighten the chain and oil, like some others said, you should start there. that front sprocket could have some damper issues... it is rubber isolated. perhaps overtighening the chain put a death spell on it?
as for oil... well, if there is oil in it and it is still running...
with the clattering sounds, it sure looks like a chain issue. and the fact that readjusting your chain reduced the noise makes it almost a no brainer.
good luck and keep us posted
So far this makes the most sense. I will change out the sprocket this week. Thanks again. Fingers Crossed.....
The bike now has a new chain, sprockets, tires, and oi&filter for that matter. The thing still vibrates.....anybody want to test ride it and make an offer...
I am seriously thinking i going down to the local Triumph dealer and trading it for a Sprint ST.
The mechanic got some Bridgestone B020 of the rack......boy it turns in and leans over so quick compared to the Metzlers that came on it...
I am guessing a bad bearing in the transmission...the mechanic thinks its just a buzzy motor, but it seams to me to be more than it was before I started messing with it.
[image: View Post]DaBody1, on Aug 23 2008, 09:16 PM, said:
[image: View Post]spud786, on Aug 23 2008, 06:58 PM, said:
[image: View Post]DaBody1, on Aug 23 2008, 08:51 PM, said:
Hello everyone I am dabody1 wife - he is stuckon the other side of the state and he can not find where the O2 sensor is located and he thinks that is the problem with his bike not starting - it will start if he holds down and keeps holding down the starter button - anyone that can help with what to do would be very much appreciated - thanks much!
02 sensors are located on the underside of the bike, but not much to be able to do about it , other than rent a uhaul and haul it home.IMO
cause mc dealers probably dont open till tuesday
sorry
Thank you for your quick reply - I will pass the info on to my husband - happy riding! Be safe!
he might check the large blue connectors for corroded ground wires, I think they are on the right and left side under the fairings, atleast on my year model
[image: View Post]rwbvfr, on Aug 23 2008, 08:15 PM, said:
update:
The bike now has a new chain, sprockets, tires, and oi&filter for that matter. The thing still vibrates.....anybody want to test ride it and make an offer...
I live in Jamaica Plain (Boston) and would be happy to do a test ride trade with you ('02) for a couple miles sometime. Also, I don't know how "north shore" you are, but I've talked with the younger mechanic at Greater Boston Motorsports and got the strong sense that he knows VFR's. I know they did a few recalls there too.
Don't give up yet, but if you do pick up a Sprint ST, I'd still be happy to test ride your bike! ;)
I just had a new chain and sprockets installed and now there is a pretty good buzzing going on. Clutch in, it's definitely still there. Little bit of a whine too. I had a indy shop do it. Guess I'll take it apart...
Is there a way it could be out of alignment? The tension is set perfectly.
Could the front sprocket be put on backwards? (they kept the old one, so I don't have one to look at)
[image: View Post]magicman, on Aug 26 2008, 05:09 PM, said:
I just had a new chain and sprockets installed and now there is a pretty good buzzing going on. Clutch in, it's definitely still there. Little bit of a whine too. I had a indy shop do it. Guess I'll take it apart...
Is there a way it could be out of alignment? The tension is set perfectly.
Could the front sprocket be put on backwards? (they kept the old one, so I don't have one to look at)
Did they replace the sprockets with OEM or aftermarket? The OEM front sprocket has a dampening ring attached whereas the aftermarket ones do not. They usually will feel a bit buzzing and sound louder than OEM.
rwbvfr - It is highly unlikely that you have a transmission failure at such low miles. As others have stated, seems typical of tire and chain issues.
[image: View Post]VFRDYLAN, on Aug 26 2008, 03:14 PM, said:
[image: View Post]magicman, on Aug 26 2008, 05:09 PM, said:
I just had a new chain and sprockets installed and now there is a pretty good buzzing going on. Clutch in, it's definitely still there. Little bit of a whine too. I had a indy shop do it. Guess I'll take it apart...
Is there a way it could be out of alignment? The tension is set perfectly.
Could the front sprocket be put on backwards? (they kept the old one, so I don't have one to look at)
Did they replace the sprockets with OEM or aftermarket? The OEM front sprocket has a dampening ring attached whereas the aftermarket ones do not. They usually will feel a bit buzzing and sound louder than OEM.
rwbvfr - It is highly unlikely that you have a transmission failure at such low miles. As others have stated, seems typical of tire and chain issues.
Aftermarket... Learn me...
It does seem a bit much though... And the off throttle "engine braking" seems to be slowing me down a little quicker than it used to... More resistance?
I have almost the same problem and conditions (changed oil, lubed and tensioned chain) except when I pull in the clutch at speeds the engine buzz goes away... It is a pronounced 'buzz/vibration' that increases with the revs regardless of gear. I'll start another thread on this but I was wondering if anyone had any quick answers. I also did the snorkel 'mod' at the same time.
Well, I had the bike at the dealer today. The head tech took it for a good test ride (no charge) and he doesn't feel anything unusual. His explanation is I have ridden it since day one and may be the only one to notice a change. He thinks it might just be the bike finally losing up after 5500 miles and 2 seasons. I can live with that..it is noticeable to me but not its "bad" and as long as its safe. He did suggest I do a full "nut and bolt" check..Will do.
Thanks for the support. The bike feels better overall, so I am just going to ride and live with it. As the tech says...if it gets worse, then we can pin point any potential problem and fix it.
[image: View Post]magicman, on Aug 26 2008, 12:09 PM, said:
I just had a new chain and sprockets installed and now there is a pretty good buzzing going on. Clutch in, it's definitely still there. Little bit of a whine too. I had a indy shop do it. Guess I'll take it apart...
As was said, I have also found that an after market front sprocket will do that. I can feel a buzzing, in my pegs only, with my new chain and sprockets, non-stock front. It is not bad enough to change it out but the next time I change them I will spend the extra $ and go with a stock front sprocket.
[image: View Post]rad, on Aug 23 2008, 07:18 PM, said:
[image: View Post]rwbvfr, on Aug 1 2008, 05:26 PM, said:
The vibration stared after chain adjustment and oil change.
Could you have over filled the crank case?
Do you have the vibration at speed when you coast with the clutch in?
The oil for sure needs to be between the lines after it has been changed and rode. I went through this and could not believe it until I lowered the the level and the vibration when away. Until I had issues with old tires, out of balance, and to tight chain,,,,, good luck, I hope you get it back to perfect. I love my 02 even after I have had to chase down the things that bugged me.
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