Bad vibrations

[XS1100 Newbie]

Today when coming home the bike was vibrating. Don't know how to explain it, but i will try. When applying throttle, the vibration was a harder vibration. At idle, or at higher rpm's it is more of a milder, although faster vibration. If i pulled the clutch in and coasted, the vibrations were gone. That told me it was probably not the rotation of a tire, but in the engine. When i got home, i started it, and took the rpm's up. There was a lot of noise coming from the front, or top of the engine. The question would be, can a cam chain cause this? I suppose it could. I jus put the auto tensioner on about last Novenber. That is about 3200 miles. Any ideas on what or how to check for this damn thing?

[Gallaecus]

might want to check your engine mounts and the vibration dampers.

[Yahman]

Did you run it through the RPM's when you were coasting?

Ride safe,
Larry

[XS1100 Newbie]

I did Larry. Whenever i brought the rpm's up the vibration kicked in. I have been listening with a stethescope for sounds, and it seems to have nothing strange. There are some ticks from a couple valves that are to loose. I am just hoping that it isn't something that i have to tear it down to find. I like to know what it might be before i tear into something. At this point, i have no clue.

[WMarshy]

+1 on the engine mounts. Look at the ones at the front of the engine near the cam chain tensioner.

[XJkid]

Are you sure you have gas on both sides of the tank? I ran out on one side and it started vibrating/shaking like something was really wrong. More than once I have helped someone (and me) troubleshoot a car that would not start only to find out .......no gas. I'm not trying to insult you, sometimes it is a very simple solution, so simple we tend to overlook it.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Is there a descent way to check those mounts. With the pry bar, i get movement out of the mounts on both sides. What is the acceptable movement? Thought maybe it was the rubber flexing. If it is just the mounts, i can ride it until i can fix it. It is my only transportation right now.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Just pulled my chain tensioner, and found nothing. Seems to be fine. Compared it to the old one i replaced, and they both were extended the same.

[mack]

look at the vibration dampeners

at the front upper motor mounts, if you have less than a 1/16 th inch or worse, metel touching metal, that's where the vibration is coming from.

[bikerphil]

You can check your exhaust mounting points, loose bolts may cause a vibration, JAT

[XS1100 Newbie]

Checked the exhaust bolts all the way back. All tight. Banged on it and didn't get any rattles. Checked my middle drive, and found it low on fluid, but not to much. Removed windscreen, as it was vibrating. Check final drive, good. checked front upper mounts, and they appear to be ok. I am going to brave it, and ride it 20 miles to our bike night to see if all this made any difference. Hopefully it doesn't put me on the pavement.

[bikerphil]

A while back, I encountered a strange vibration under acceleration only. Thinking it was a bad U-joint, I replaced it and no change, it turned out to be the three bolts at the rear of the middle drive unit under the rubber boot were loose. Tightened them up and the vibration was gone. Probably not your issue if you say it vibrates while revving in neutral.

[XS1100 Newbie]

I will still check them. Thanks.