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Posted by RockinRollin
- July 13, 2016, 05:10:49 AM Years ago when I was getting my motorcycle licence part of the test was to ride on the 401. The official speed limit on the 401 is 100 kmh , the unofficial speed limit is 120 - 125 kmh which is what you need to do in the fast lane or better otherwise someone will ride your tail. When I asked the instructor what speed should I do , the official or unofficial he said " You do whatever the traffic is travelling at in your lane" so I did and passed even though I was doing 20 kmh over the limit. I have been driving at 120 - 125 and have the police pass me. You won't get a ticket for 120 but for 130 you might. Most people will do 120 - 125 kmh in the fast lane. I have never earned a ticket for speeding on the 400 series highways (yet). 
Posted by Zoar
- July 12, 2016, 14:34:26 PMQuote from: RockinRonny on July 12, 2016, 12:36:14 PMYou will be getting a ticket on the mail....Somewhere else I read that a vibration problem was cured by adding a fuel controller. My bike used to vibrate a little when I was approaching 130 km an hour (80 mph) but when I added saddlebags which have heavy duty brackets the vibration has lessened. Go figure! Maybe something to do with changing the natural frequency of the bike by adding mass. In case anyone is wondering why I was doing 130 km an hour I was in the fast lane on the 401 and that's the speed that traffic was moving.
Posted by RockinRollin
- July 12, 2016, 12:36:14 PMSomewhere else I read that a vibration problem was cured by adding a fuel controller. My bike used to vibrate a little when I was approaching 130 km an hour (80 mph) but when I added saddlebags which have heavy duty brackets the vibration has lessened. Go figure! Maybe something to do with changing the natural frequency of the bike by adding mass. In case anyone is wondering why I was doing 130 km an hour I was in the fast lane on the 401 and that's the speed that traffic was moving.
Posted by rwantin
- July 12, 2016, 06:06:00 AMThis thread will go away eventually, I swear!
Gave it a big shot of Seafoam this morning, and a filter is on the way.
Observation that may be meaningful. I noted the washboard effect seemed diminished on the way in yesterday - it was in the upper 60's. On the way home, in near 90-degree temps, it was back in full force. Rode in this morning (about 70 out), and again, seemed to be lessened. So air temp appears to at least be some sort of factor. I'll stay the course with the Seafoam and new filter when I get it, does this suggest there may be some credence to a fueling issue?
Posted by rwantin
- July 11, 2016, 09:05:18 AMThanks a ton guys.
There's something I had not considered - I added some Techron to the first tank (always liked it for injection), so MAYBE as I'm burning through the gas, that could be the source of improvement. I am also a huge fan of Seafoam (always have a bottle or two around), so I'll try that. And a filter as well. The bike fired right up when I got it, but it could have sat for some time prior.
Understood on the presence and big thumps, it's just that the washboard effect was, at least early on, pretty severe. And wow, those miles are encouraging!
Appreciate it.
Posted by Troll
- July 11, 2016, 08:50:53 AMThis is still a v-2, so there is always going to be some "presence" to remind you of that. It's not an electric motor or an inline 4, so when you consider two 750cc cylinders doing the work, the thumps will always get through. These bikes are very smooth, especially above 2000 rpm. I rode H-Ds for 50 years, and this bike, with 106,000 miles on it, now, is smoother than even my rubber mount TourGlide when it was pretty new...absolutely no comparison with my solid mount FLs and FXs...
Posted by Pilgrim
- July 11, 2016, 08:46:29 AMtry changing the fuel filter and a big dose of sea foam to clean the injectors.
Posted by rwantin
- July 11, 2016, 07:40:09 AMFollowing up a bit on this. Just rode in this morning.
I did a few things over the weekend, interestingly, there was a noticeable improvement in the vibration on the way in to the office, but the washboard feel was still present, though again, improved.
I pulled and cleaned the plugs - they were pretty normal, don't think there's much here to do with it but noting.
The exhaust collector and clamps were one big ball of rust. I pulled it, stripped, cleaned, new sleeves/clamps, made everything nice. I noticed the rubber bushings, seemed like they were okay, and allowed a little movement, which I assume is good. Of course, wondering if retorquing them helped in any way. Side question - I like this exhaust, the way it looks, but is the Classic exhaust better? Noticed one for sale this weekend and looks like it is an exact fit.
The other thing I was thinking about - I added a rear rack that came with the bike - I liked the idea because it ties the two saddlebag racks together and limits lateral movement. Source of vibration? Not sure.
In any event, despite the improvement, it's still there at lower rpm. One thing I noticed - the resonance seems to be there even when the bike is stationary in neutral. Of course, there's no tach, but I notice a vibration at guessing around 1500 - 2000 rpm.
Anyway, feels like I'm getting warmer. And man o man, I love this bike.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- June 24, 2016, 23:44:23 PM 
oh that thing....lol....... 
Posted by pcarrell
- June 24, 2016, 21:49:49 PMWork......It's that all consuming thing that both you and I gave up a few years ago.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- June 24, 2016, 13:40:55 PMWork, what is that? 
Posted by rwantin
- June 24, 2016, 11:39:58 AMQuote from: CDNRatMan on June 24, 2016, 11:01:26 AMThe stupid work thing keeps getting in the way, I swear! I know that doesn't make it right...Please do not tell me you have something more important than your Drifter vying for your time.....
Much to do this weekend!
Posted by CDNRatMan
- June 24, 2016, 11:01:26 AMPlease do not tell me you have something more important than your Drifter vying for your time.....
Posted by rwantin
- June 24, 2016, 06:20:17 AMThanks so much - will try the steering stem thing.
Haven't had much time to test anything, but will be back in the garage this weekend.
Really appreciate it guys.
-Robert
Posted by Mike922
- June 23, 2016, 18:30:53 PMRobert, try the steering stem nut. http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/steeringstemadjust.html
I had bad vibration in the handle bars at 33-35 miles per hour when slowing down. Opened the nut, lubed it up, tightened it (two tries) and no more vibration.
regards, Mike (2001 1500cc)