Bad vibrations

[RUSH]

OK. Fairing vibrates when I get over 60mph. Checked brakes, replaced tire and had balanced, added fork oil (dont know how much is in there), removed plexiglass wind screen, added another bolt to the center of the fairing mount. ALL TO NO AVAIL!!
Any ideas?
I have tkat brace. Could bad fork oil/valves gummed do it?The brakes aren't binding, but could they be causing some problem at 60 that doesnt show on inspection? Over 60 the shaking gets worse.
I didnt have this problem last year.

[tinman905]

Did you gain any weight since last year most of us have

I use pipe clamps on the bottom of my fairing bracket and a rubber shim behind it ,that seem to help .

[jeffe]

From your icon pick it looks like you have a Vetter fairing. So do I.Is it a shake...the fairing visibly is shaking. Or is it a buzz? If it's a shake make sure all the bolts, clamps are tight. If it's a buzz try turning the knob that adjust the headlight heigth. Both of these were an issuewith mine.

[RUSH]

It's the pacifico monster fairing. I am going to change out the fork oil and see what that does. I added a bolt to from the center of the fairing mount to add some strength to reduce the shake. It seems that all the bolts that hold the fairing on are tight and all the plastic around them does not shake, but the faster I go (anything over 60) the more shaking I get.
I checked the new front tire and it seems out of round. The last one seemed out of round too. These tires are the same Elite 2s but from different dealers and 4 years apart. What are the odds that its the tire? Is 1/8" out of round a big deal if it is balanced right?

[CatatonicBug]

I would think that ANYTHING out of round on a motorcycle wheel would be a horrible thing. The balancing is only supposed to make up for the tiny variations in rubber and construction in the tire itself. Have you looked at the wheel? Did you have the tire professionally mounted/balanced, or did you DIY? Any shop worth it's salt would never let you mount a tire that was unsafe.

[Crazcnuk]

The forks or fork oil won't cause a vibration.

The only things that can cause vibration are the reciprocating parts, ie; rim, tire, rotors, etc., unless you have a bent front axle, which can cause a shake sometimes.

Tire balance issues usually occur between 50 and 65 miles per hour and actually can smooth out at higher speeds.

Bent rims, axles, seperating tires and rotors can get worse and worse the faster you go.

Many tire shops will not put tires on motorcycle rims because they are very easy for car tire jocks to damage.

Also, some vibrations can feel like they are coming from the front, but are actually from the rear, since everything that happens on one end has a reaction at the other end.

[CatatonicBug]

Many tire shops will not put tires on motorcycle rims because they are very easy for car tire jocks to damage.

Why would you take a motorcycle tire and wheel to a regular tire shop? They don't sell motorcycle tires, so I wouldn't trust them to mount them either. I just take my wheel to the bike shop where I bought my tire, and paid them an extra $20 to mount and balance it. Then they dispose of the old tire for me too.

[Crazcnuk]

Well, not all of us live in big cities where we have a choice.

I mean I could drive the 200 miles to pay the guy $20 to mount my tires, but it seems like a waste.

What I was getting at is 'It's very easy to screw up a motorcycle rim' Even at a motorcycle shop.

[bikerphil]

Also make sure the bead of the tire is fully seated. There is a line on the tire where it meets the edge of the rim. Make sure it's even all the way around. A few times I've had to put 70+ lbs. of air in just to get them to fully seat.

[CatatonicBug]

Well, not all of us live in big cities where we have a choice.

I mean I could drive the 200 miles to pay the guy $20 to mount my tires, but it seems like a waste.

What I was getting at is 'It's very easy to screw up a motorcycle rim' Even at a motorcycle shop.

Wow... I had no idea there was anywhere in the civilized world where that was the case. I have a choice of at least 5 bike shops within a 20-minute drive, and I still feel like I don't have enough options!

[Crazcnuk]

We actually have a guy that started a small (12'x28') shop in his garage.

He will mount and balance tires, but he is primarily Harley, so if a jap bike comes in he gives them my number!

[XSPastor]

Rant. Why don't people put their bike info in their signature? End rant.

All my vibration issues went away after I sync'ed the carbs. You might want to check that if you've tried everything else.

[DiverRay]

What are the odds that its the tire? Is 1/8" out of round a big deal if it is balanced right?

Yes, it IS a big deal!!! If you are that far out, the front wheel will start to "hop" as you go faster.(sound like something you've felt???) The weights only balance the wheel/tire, so weight will not cause hop.
The front mount on your fairing has a rubber grommet between the fairing bolts and the mount point on the front bar.(I have the same fairing, and know it well!) Check the top of the mount, as there is a "C" clip that can come out, and allow the front end of the fairing to vibrate. My "new" mount has a solid bar welded to the front bar, and it has the curved mount for the front bolts welded to that.
If your mounts are good, then it IS the front tire or rim. Check the rim with a pencil placed against the top lip, just touching, and spin the tire. The mark should NOT waver up and down, or in and out. If it does the rim NEEDS to be replaced! If it's good, but the tire isn't round, IT needs to be replaced. The tire SHOULD be warranty, and be replaced for free.

[pete_s]

Those rims are real strong, I doubt if a car jocky bent them, it's probably the bead.

I just did my 78 1100E with Conti tires and had them up to 100 psi to seat the beads to no avail.

More soap and some praying did the trick. Bead locks and the tube valve rubber kept getting in the way to.

[RUSH]

Thanks to all who offered advice.
Here are the results of 2 weeks and $300.
The rear tire had a slight flat spot, no doubt from a hard stop to avoid some cage. It had supposedly broke some cords and was out of balance by 200+grams. The shop recommended a new tire of course, which took 120 grams to balance. The wheel balanced fine, but the bead locks through it off balance. The manual does not show how many bead locks there are, but mine only has 2. Did the dealer lose one the last time I had the tire changed?
One the plus side the bike is smooth like glass at any speed.