« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Vibration Reduction  (Read 11080 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Motoroost1

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
Vibration Reduction
« on: April 23, 2012, 12:25:59 AM »
I am new to the KX500 scene and just going through the steps to get my 2003 tuned correctly .

I have noticed however , a significant amount of vibration coming through the handlebars . After a 6 mile trail ride , my hands are almost numb . Does anyone have any tips to help reduce this felt fibration in the bars ?

My bars are an Easton EA70 fat bar that tapers to 1 7/8 at the grips .

In it's current state , long trail rides are not really much of an option and this is exactly what I bought the bike for .
Logged

Offline Foxx4Beaver

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8,952
  • James Stewart DID NOT invent the scrub!!..JoJo
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2012, 04:44:41 AM »
Quote from: Motoroost1 on April 23, 2012, 12:25:59 AM
Does anyone have any tips to help reduce this felt fibration in the bars ?


Don't hang on so tight... :-o
Logged
Excuse me, ma'am...but you've got extremely nice legs!!!...what time do they open???                                                                                                               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8tCgN3aryQ

Offline alward25

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,349
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2012, 05:22:09 AM »
Fasst flex bars with anti vibe inserts smooth it all out :-D
Logged
"Let there be light"

Offline Motoroost1

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2012, 06:15:07 AM »
Well , if I didn't hang on for dear life , I'd fly the **** off :) That's bad for my old bones :)
Logged

Offline Foxx4Beaver

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8,952
  • James Stewart DID NOT invent the scrub!!..JoJo
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2012, 06:29:13 AM »
Quote from: Motoroost1 on April 23, 2012, 06:15:07 AM
Well , if I didn't hang on for dear life , I'd fly the **** off :) That's bad for my old bones :)


HAHA....that was good!!.
All joking aside...it's easier said then done,but it does help...alot.Not just with your hands going numb,but if you're suffering with arm pump too,keeping a looser grip will help with that as well.These are just tips I've learned from some of the local experts in my area over the years,and once I got used to it,they were a thing of the past.Try it....if not,give the Fasst Flexx a shot like Alward25 suggested....I've never tried them,but they might be worth looking into as well.
Logged
Excuse me, ma'am...but you've got extremely nice legs!!!...what time do they open???                                                                                                               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8tCgN3aryQ

Offline Motoroost1

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2012, 06:40:11 AM »
I'll try the looser grip for sure . I'll also look into a different set of grips perhaps to see if there is anything else that might absorb vibration better then what I have now  .

I really want to ride this bike on a few longer trail runs this summer (60 miles or so ) and the only way it will be possible is if I can find a solution to the vibration . Currently , after only 20 miles or so , my hands are so numb that's it's a real issue .

Logged

Offline alward25

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,349
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2012, 06:50:43 AM »
They made a big difference on my bike. :wink:
Logged
"Let there be light"

Motorrad

  • Guest
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2012, 06:55:27 AM »
A true crank and proper balance factor does wonders
Logged

Offline Motoroost1

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2012, 08:45:13 AM »
No question about a trued crank , but , I am not going to disassemble the engine to address this . I have to find a reasonable , bolt on "remedy" .

If I can't , I'll live with it the way it is . Not the end of the world .

I'll investigate bar options tonight online .
Logged

Offline Suva

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 47
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2012, 12:50:32 PM »
Cheep option is to fill the bars with expanding foam.  Can shoot it in your frame as well.
Logged

Offline Motoroost1

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2012, 01:04:30 PM »
What kind of foam ?
Logged

Offline Polar-Bus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,023
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2012, 01:10:09 PM »
Here's my secret recipe for minimal KX500 "body buzz" .  Stuff 5/16" automotive fuel line inside the bars, grip the bike more with your thighs, and ease up on your handlebar "death grip". Take 4 advils before you ride.  Gel palm street riding gloves.
Logged
01' KX500
'84 GPz1100
'87 GSX-R  750
'06 HD Fatboy
'73 Kawi H1
'03 CRG KX500 Shifter kart

Offline 2-Stroke Tom

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 160
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2012, 02:09:40 PM »
My crank is trued and balanced, but my 500 still vibrated more than any 250 I've owned. When I bought my ex Team Green 500, I asked the mechanic about this and he just said that crank balancing will reduce vibration, but the KX500 will always have some vibration.

My solution: I tried vibranators (If interested, I have  a picture before I installed them). They made a noticeable difference, especially when I would ride for prolonged periods. My friend rode my bike back to back, before and after the vibranators and he could tell the difference just puttin around on the street.
Logged

Offline alward25

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,349
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2012, 02:42:43 PM »
Well, let's price out a few things.  Bottom end overhaul, assuming your top end is all in good shape and just need gaskets, approx prices :

Rod kit- $90
Labor to install it- $50-$75
Cometic Engine gasket set with main seals- $50
Main Bearings- $30

So, about $220 if you don't replace all the other seals, $235 if you do.

Assuming your plating is in good shape....
Wossner Windowed Piston kit STD bore- $180 
OEM wrist pin bearing- $10

There may be other odds and ends you would want to replace, but they are usually pretty cheap but could run as much as $50-$100
So, complete engine overhaul less than $500 if you can do all of the work but the crank.

My cost on Fasst Flex bars is $270 plus shipping.  another $50 if you want the anti-vibe inserts. 
Conclusion, Buy bars to mask a bigger problem, or tear it down and freshen it up.  Both would not hurt :evil:
Oh, don't forget an MZB to power your fire your steed for $550 :-D

Alex
Logged
"Let there be light"

Offline Motoroost1

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2012, 10:35:56 PM »
Well , every shop in my area charges $80/hr + tax and and to split the cases and install a crank , you are looking at about $400 just in labour . It is $275 just to split the cases here . Every other part , crank kit , bearings and seals are extra . Machine work to true the crank is extra on top of all that . So , this is a pretty expensive proposition if you can't do the work yourself .

Not even remotely feasible if the engine is fresh and vibration is the only issue . This is essentially where I'm at . The motor seems fresh with good compression and lots of power . It has a brand new cylinder and Wiseco piston . So , for simple trail riding , I will try a few basic things to help the numb hands issue . If I can reduce it to a resonable level , I will be happy . If not , it will be what it will be . It's not the end of the world by any means . I will adapt and move on .
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »