Vibration

[PuyallupValk]

Hello! I've got 99 Interstate with 56k miles. The other day I noticed a fairly substantial vibration at highway speeds under throttle...any throttle. It goes away completely when i get off throttle. Based on what I've read, it seems like the u-joint may have gone bad, but I'd like some opinions from you guys!

I'd also like to meet up with someone to swap bikes with just for a quick jaunt to see if my bike has any other abnormal sounds/issues. This is my first Valk and a total departure from anything else I've had so I'm not 100% sure of what 'normal' is.

I'm located in Puyallup but will travel, of course...lol.

Thanks!

Mike Parker
509-302-9897

[Jess from VA]

A bad Ujoint usually ends up thumping on the footpegs and making squeaking, screeching or grinding noises... more than a vibration. 

I was able to minimize (not stop) mine by going about 35mph to make it far enough to get to work on it.  It wasn't related to throttle, it was speed; over 35 got worse in the thumping and grinding.   

Put it on the lift and do some investigating.

Possibly the tire or shock bushings?   

[The emperor has no clothes]

It could be the u-joint starting to go bad. It could just as likely (maybe more likely) be a tire.

[PuyallupValk]

Thanks for the replies, gents. This doesn't feel like a tire...and it only happens under throttle at higher (45mph+) speeds...goes completely smooth off throttle...

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks for the replies, gents. This doesn't feel like a tire...and it only happens under throttle at higher (45mph+) speeds...goes completely smooth off throttle...

I once had the same thing. I was sure it was the u-joint going bad. After a new u-joint, no difference. Pulled the Shinko front tire, and it went away. Couldn't tell or see anything wrong with it, but it was definitely the tire.

[PuyallupValk]

I'll definitely take a look!