Topic: Vibrations, getting worse.

[eptesicus]

Well the other day when riding my bike, I started to notice a vibration in my rear brake pedal and peg. I only felt the vibration when accelerating, and didn't notice it when idling or cruising. This morning, riding to work, the feeling got much worse. I feel it in both pegs now, even more so in the brake pedal, and also feel it under the seat. It sounds hollow as if it were the exhaust, but I can't find anything. I'm very new to motorcycles. I've read that if the feeling were there when idling or cruising, then it could very well be the chain and sprockets, but I do not know what could cause this. Wheel? Brake? Swing arm???

Thanks for any input!

Mike

[Roach]

sounds like maybe a wheel beraing or a brake problem. when was the last time you checked your brakes? at the same time check your bearings!

[flybox1]

check swingarm play - put your bike up on centerstand.
from standing to the side of your bike, grab top of wheel, push/pull.  any play?
check exhaust mounts.  tighten all mount bolts.  go for a ride? any better?
check for chain slack - have someone about your same wt, sit on bike. check for excess chain play in the lower section.  if so, adjust rear axle position.  go for a ride. any better?
wheel out of round? loose spokes? sprockets loose? bad rear wheel bearings? worn rear shoes(if they are good, just deglaze the contact surface and clean out brakedust)
tons of things to check, not just because of your symptoms, but routinely as you work and service your bike.
do one thing at a time, and ride to see if you just fixed it.

[eptesicus]

I did a quick inspection when buying the bike a month ago, but did not check the bearings! I will check that first, and will recheck the brakes. I think that I will order new bearings, gaskets, bushings, and whatever maintenance parts I will need for the rear end this weekend. Hopefully that will fix the issue.

flybox1, Thanks, I'll do those things. I know they all need to be done, so now is a good time to do those things.

[flybox1]

while your parts are on order, go over your chain slack (rusty?), and exhaust mounts. 
might be real simple.

[scottly]

Also, make sure all the engine mount bolts are tight.

[eptesicus]

Will do. I had removed and reattached the exhaust to change my oil last week. I will recheck the mounts to make sure they aren't loose. How tight should nuts be?

Mike

[TwoTired]

Um, Check the drive chain and sprockets.

Lube it lately?  Adjust is ever?

Cheers,

[flybox1]

How tight should nuts be?
Mike

you can find torque specs in the shop manual...

[eptesicus]

Nope. Will do today as well. Time to crack open the manual again!

Um, Check the drive chain and sprockets.

Lube it lately?  Adjust is ever?

Cheers,

[eptesicus]

Rode home. New symptom. It feels like when getting a crosswind, no matter how light or heavy, or taking a turn, the rear end of the bike turns just enough to notice. I've gone 60 mph before on the bike, and haven't had that feeling in crosswinds until now. Can it still be the bearings?

I'll be checking out what you all have said before in a bit.

Mike

[TwoTired]

I had the sprocket side rear bearing go, once.  When under power the tail went sideways a little.  Remove power and it straightened up.

There are about 15 balls in the bearing and about 5 of them had crushed and were gone.  If the balls spaced themselves out equally around the race,  the bike would go straight.  When extra power pulled on the sprocket, they'd all gather together on one side and the rear wheel would veer right making the bike go left.  Odd sensation, that.  When on the center stand, the rear wheel turned in proper place like it should.  T'was a head scratcher for a little while.

Do make sure you chain isn't kinking up while rotating though.  I believe that can kill rear wheel bearings if it's getting too tight.

Cheers,

[Anti-Johnny]

that sidewind feeling you described is the same way I describe the feeling I get. I didnt know enough about the bike to check the swingarm or wheel bearings. I did finally check the swingarm the other day and there is play in it.

So now I am looking into sending it off to hondaman or doing it myself.

I need to see whats involved in wheel bearings.

[eptesicus]

I had the sprocket side rear bearing go, once.  When under power the tail went sideways a little.  Remove power and it straightened up.

There are about 15 balls in the bearing and about 5 of them had crushed and were gone.  If the balls spaced themselves out equally around the race,  the bike would go straight.  When extra power pulled on the sprocket, they'd all gather together on one side and the rear wheel would veer right making the bike go left.  Odd sensation, that.  When on the center stand, the rear wheel turned in proper place like it should.  T'was a head scratcher for a little while.

Do make sure you chain isn't kinking up while rotating though.  I believe that can kill rear wheel bearings if it's getting too tight.

Cheers,

You described what I am feeling. When I am applying power, I do feel that. I'll check my Honda dealer tomorrow to see if they have any in stock (doubtful), and if not, I'll order some, along with anything else my Clymer manual recommends I replace.

that sidewind feeling you described is the same way I describe the feeling I get. I didnt know enough about the bike to check the swingarm or wheel bearings. I did finally check the swingarm the other day and there is play in it.

So now I am looking into sending it off to hondaman or doing it myself.

I need to see whats involved in wheel bearings.

Yeah, new guy here too. I'd like to send it off to someone to fix for me, or take it to the shop, but then I'm never going to learn how to diagnose and fix these problems myself. How you get yours fixed!

[Anti-Johnny]

Hondaman seems to be the way to go. He quoted me around $180 for the work.

Only problem is the bike is my only transportation. And the swingarm bushing seems to be a pain to get out and back in. i havent been able to find a guide to doing it yet.