Bad vibes

[dexter69]

I recently purchased my ST-1300. 73k on the clock. I've been riding it to and from work, I notice a vibration at 70mph thru the pegs. Inspected bike, everything tight. Better take a look at drive train! This is what I found. Hardly any lube on any of the splines I encountered. U-joint looks, feels good, no wear or play. Engine output shaft has no axial or radial play. Going to purchase new swing arm boot lube everything and reassemble. Do you guys think I am missing anything?

 

[Mellow]

Vibes could be a bad tire. I'd replace the u joint as you may not be able to detect if it's binding by hand.

 

[dexter69]

Thanks mellow!

 

[Kevcules]

Good advice to replace the U joint with that mileage and dealing with vibration at speed. Especially since you have it out already.
You should also check your tire condition and balance.
Good luck

 

[970mike]

I am another vote for replacing it after looking at that boot with all of the holes in it. I am sure that a lot of water and dirt got in there which would not be good for that U-Joint.

 

[Steveguy]

A real close look at the rear wheel bearings and the driven hub bearing is probably warranted as well.

 

[dexter69]

Awesome advice....waiting on part.....checking everything!

 

[Dex]

I would check the balance of the wheels. In the UK my experience of having new tyres fitted is that the tyre retailers are unable to adequately balance a motorcycle wheel properly. Some thoughts here Delboy's Garage, How-To;- Static Wheel Balancing. - YouTube

 

[Hound]

I agree that the tyres could be suspect. I once had a new pair of Avons on my ST1100 that felt harsh at any speed. No amount of balancing sorted them; I returned them and had Bridgestones fitted - problem sorted.

 

[dexter69]

OK everyone, I getting my bike back together. I did not replace any parts. Lubed everything as they should be. Actually the only part I replaced was the swingarm boot.....man it was difficult! Tomorrow I'll go for a ride to see if I did good or bad. Please wish me luck....even though ya'll told to replace u joint.

 

[dexter69]

Well I'm sorry to say my bike still has the vibration. Did notice It more under my right foot at 70mph. Going to purchase a new joint and get on with it. Should have listened to you guys.

 

[mcycleboy]

More than once over my long biking history I have chased a vibration only to find that my tires were causing it. New tires never seem to be the cause but after they are get about half worn I often pick up new noises/vibrations that I want to initially blame on anything but the tires. Who else has been fooled by this?

 

[Mellow]

If you're lucky, you notice your u-joint is failing in the garage. That's how I noticed mine and I was simply spinning the rear wheel:

U-Joint Pre-Failure Indicator | ST1300 Related

With the bike on the center stand, is there any pivoting of the wheel if you grab the tire and try to move it laterally? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

www.st-owners.com

 

[dexter69]

Just now I placed my bike on c/s and hand turned my rear wheel back and forth. There is a small klunck noise coming from rear drive unit. Normal....I don't know.

 

[Mellow]

Just now I placed my bike on c/s and hand turned my rear wheel back and forth. There is a small klunck noise coming from rear drive unit. Normal....I don't know.

Nope.. watch my video in the prev post.

 

[Kevcules]

Just now I placed my bike on c/s and hand turned my rear wheel back and forth. There is a small klunck noise coming from rear drive unit. Normal....I don't know.

I thought a small clunk back and forth was normal, but not a rotational same direction thump, like in the video.