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Author Topic: Vibration Reduction  (Read 11081 times)

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Offline Motoroost1

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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 .
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Offline Foxx4Beaver

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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
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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

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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
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Offline Motoroost1

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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 :)
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Offline Foxx4Beaver

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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.
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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

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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 .

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Offline alward25

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Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2012, 06:50:43 AM »
They made a big difference on my bike. :wink:
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Motorrad

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Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2012, 06:55:27 AM »
A true crank and proper balance factor does wonders
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Offline Motoroost1

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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 .
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Offline Suva

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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.
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Offline Motoroost1

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Re: Vibration Reduction
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2012, 01:04:30 PM »
What kind of foam ?
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Offline Polar-Bus

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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.
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Offline 2-Stroke Tom

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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.
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Offline alward25

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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
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Offline Motoroost1

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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 .
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