Vibration and Neck bearings

[cheeseman1969]

I have vibrations again come through my handle bars and some in my feet too. It started last fall once I hit over 75 but now once over 30 and on the throttle and then constant over 65ish.. Seems to be getting worst. I had this happen 2 years ago on a East coast trip. Found out later it was just wheel bearing(s). So I figure the bearings again. Mine you, I did the bearings the last time and not to sure on my mechanical skill as that was first for me. Sooooo.. took it to a shop recommend by a friend. The local honda deal wants a cool $400. Seems a little bit much to me. I met with the mechanic (not dealer) and he said have you thought about the neck bearing going out too? She has 160,000 miles but I only had her for 15k. When I replaced the bears 2 years ago, the vibrations MOSTLY (95%) went away. So now wondering about that. Going to get the bears changed just for peace of mind. But now wondering about the neck. Thoughts??

[Michvalk]

The vibration you describe, is most frequently found to be the universal in the driveshaft. Not real hard to inspect, but the best way to check it, is to remove it, and check for looseness, and side to side movement. It could be a wheel bearing, but I have never felt a vibration in the head bearings

[Bighead]

And for Gods sake find someone else to do the bearings if the dealer wants $400

[cheeseman1969]

I just took her on a 100 mile ride. 75 the whole way. A little bit of vibrations but lots more in acceleration. So I guess will take off that joint and check it out. Thanks for advice.

[Bighead]

I just took her on a 100 mile ride. 75 the whole way. A little bit of vibrations but lots more in acceleration. So I guess will take off that joint and check it out. Thanks for advice.

the feel of it by hand may feel ok you may need to clamp it in a vice to actually find looseness.

[cheeseman1969]

Just before I took the final drive out, was coming home from work on her. I noticed something, When I turned the throttle to get a good push, she started to vibrate (allot handlebars, some from foot pedals) more. I laid off, vibration came down. I laid into it and the vibration came back allot. I then hit the clutch and 95% of the vibration in the handlebars was gone and the vibration coming through my feet was gone too. I did this a couple of times to make sure. Yep, stops or really does down allot when the clutch is engaged.
 I took of the universal joint and checked it out. Had a mechanic friend of mine check it too. he says that it is good to go. He started to ask questions about everything and I told him what I wrote about here before and this post. He saids to start looking at the inside of the engine and clutch. Maybe a main bearing or something. She has 160,000 miles and he asked the last time clutch was looked at or changed, I didn't know (bought at 147,000). He said to start there.
What do you all think? And if a main bearing, what kind of work can I do or am I looking at someone else and lots of money?

[longrider]

Your symptoms are a classic ujoint failure.  Some get loose and some seize tight.  You could remove and check but it f you're taking it out to check just replace it and you're done.  At 160k you most likely should replace the steering head bearing a as well.  Not as easy as the u-joint.  Removal of the bottom race for some is difficult.  In my experience I cover the rad and anything else exposed and put a small bead with a mig.  It's shrinks the race and when it cools in a few minutes it will fall out.  I also tighten my tourer a hair tighter than spec after using the correct procedure from manual for installation of the bearings.

[gordonv]

I took of the universal joint and checked it out. Had a mechanic friend of mine check it too. he says that it is good to go.

I've got to follow longrider's thoughts.

Did you see how your friend checked out the u-joint? If he didn't put it in a vise and apply force, then it wasn't inspected properly.

I don't recall reading ANYTHING on the forum about a motor bearing failure (I have a motor that has grenade, but not taken apart yet and inspected to see what happened), so I feel the chance might be slight.

[old2soon]

On my I/S U-joint and wheel bearings at 103000 miles or so. When you put the old one in the vise and twist-hard-then put the new one in the vise and twist hard-after that test you WILL know. RIDE SAFE.

[cheeseman1969]

My friend, he put it in a vise and jerked it around. he felt a little play btu said that for cars, they have a little play. He was not for sure it was something else. He said that he does not have experience on final drives on Motorcycles. So I have followed the advice here as you all have not lead me wrong in the past. Ordered the u-joint. Just wait now.

[longrider]

Have you had the joint out before.   I believe there is a write up in shop talk.  Just be sure and lube up both ends of the shaft as well as the wheel splines

[pancho]

My friend, he put it in a vise and jerked it around. he felt a little play btu said that for cars, they have a little play. He was not for sure it was something else. He said that he does not have experience on final drives on Motorcycles. So I have followed the advice here as you all have not lead me wrong in the past. Ordered the u-joint. Just wait now.

I think you're heading down the right path cheeseman,, expect the u-joint to give you clear sailing...

[cheeseman1969]

Longrider: I took it out 2 years ago and cleaned it all with the final drive and greased everything up. I followed two articles at that time and this time too. I did do it this time without taking off the muffler. WOW easier. I do make mistakes, on ordering the u-joint, was looking at anything else that I should change out. I found out that the oil seal on the drive shaft, I put on the wrong side. LOL.. Did not hurt anything but will change that around.
 U-joint should be here next week. It is going to snow tomorrow night and maybe over the weekend. Be cold here in central NE this week too. So maybe this is a good time that I took it down now. But of course my luck, I get it all back together, everything is beautiful and we get 12 inches of snow. LOL

[cheeseman1969]

Final update. It worked. I got the u-joint in and put it in this afternoon since I had a day off. Got everything back together (that boot is going to kill me eerrrr). I took it out for a 8 mile ride at highway speeds. I sped it up and down. The vibration is gone.
THANKS EVERYONE!!!

So back to riding and dreaming of long windy roads. None of that here in Nebraska. LOL

[Firefighter]

Thats fantastic,, There is NO play in u-joints, if your buddy felt any it is bad. Main bearings in a Valkyrie? Probably unheard of! Glad your fixed!