Engine Vibration

[Maca]

Well I don't seem to be having much luck getting a smooth ride. My front brake disc warped causing a lot of vibration while braking and I have got that fixed but now I notice there is also engine vibration which isn't as bad but does give me tingling hands after half an hour or so.  Yesterday I went out on the bike at 60mph I then just pulled in the clutch and dropped the revs and it was like I was floating on air with no vibration but as soon as I engaged drive and picked up the revs (in 4th at 60mph) the vibration came back.

Two things I've read so far.  One, to check the engine mounting bolts.  Previous owner had crash bars installed so will check this but as I'm not at the bike just now and won't be for a couple of day, do I need to fully remove all the fairing to get access?  And which bolts should I be checking in particular.

Secondly, it was mentioned that it could be the alternator that has a stuck decoupler mounted on the drive train?  Digital mentioned in a previous thread.  Any more on this, is it a diy fix or a job for the garage?

Any other simple checks I should know about before sending it to the garage?

Cheers in advance.

[digital]

Yes, to access the screws that hold the engine, you must remove the left and right fairings.
The following photo shows the motor bolts:


The high output alternator is extemally mounted to the engine, and is gear driven from the clutch primary gear. The regulator/rectifier is integral to the alternator and does not contain any serviceable parts.
The alternator features a de-coupler mounted to the drive gear, which disengages the alternator from the engine in certain conditions. This removes shock loading from the alternator which would otherwise cause premature wear or damage to various alternator componente.

Normally when there is a breakdown in the alternator you notice a tingling in the footrests, especially on the left side and a noise that becomes more and more.

I would also check the part of the conical box, placing the bike on the center stand and with your hands move the tire from one side to the other and check if it has excessive play.

[digital]

I forgot to tell you or rather ask yourself if it is not that you have a problem with the balance of the tire or the tire itself that is deformed.

It is strange that having repaired the brake discs you now notice a tingling in the handlebar grips.

[Coconut]

The handlebars have rubber mountings to try and reduce the amount of vibration.

When I got my first Trophy - being a big, heavy, and powerful machine
I found that I was gripping the bars quite tightly and this gave that
"tingling" / "buzz" feeling in the fingers after riding for a while.

Once I was used to the handling of the bike I was able to relax my grip, and together with
the addition of "Grip Puppies" ( Other brands are available ! ) -  I no longer get that sensation.

I also find that the Grip Puppies help with fine throttle control, as they make
the grips slightly larger and easier for my ageing hands to cope with !

Cheers 



 

[Saddle Tramp]

Given the fact that your Trophy is still new to you, I would suspect that the only way to determine if what you are experiencing is “normal” is to either ride a different Trophy, or have another Trophy Owner ride your bike. You might spend a lot of $$, only to discover that what you are experiencing is in fact normal.

In the meantime, I would highly recommend that you take Coconut’s advice, and purchase an inexpensive set of grip puppies. I have installed them on every motorcycle I’ve owned in the last twenty years... 

[Saddle Tramp]

Originally Posted by digital

It is strange that having repaired the brake discs you now notice a tingling in the handlebar grips.

It shouldn’t be a surprise, really. The vibration from the warped disc masked the lesser vibrations in the handlebars. Once the greater vibration was eliminated, the lesser vibration became apparent. 

[digital]

If possible.

If I understand it correctly, there is an excess of noise that comes from the engine part, and therefore that noise causes me to notice a tingling in the handlebar grips. If any part doesn't turn properly, there is a little sway and it can create that vibration that makes your handlebar grips take a tingle.

But of course, without hearing that noise, it is difficult to know where it may come from.

[Maca]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I did put grip puppies on a few weeks back and while I'm not sure it had a great impact on the vibration I do like them just because I think the wider diameter is a far more natural grip, without them I have to squeeze a grip on the smaller diameter which doesn't help for fatigue.

The brake issue was separate to this vibration, I measured the runout of one disc to be twice Triumphs allowable so replaced both and the pads and that issue has gone.  The vibration I notice now is also noticeable if I just rev the engine.  It's not a terrible vibration and is only really a problem on longer rides.  I can also usually just do a quick stretch or at lights I can just rest my hand off the bars for a few seconds to ease it up.

I also may have taken this to be normal for the bike other than people saying they have no vibration on their trophy's.  I've only had inline fours in the past so like someone else mentioned, I'll need to find another trophy rider to do a comparison before having the garage charge their fees to fix something which maybe doesn't need fixing.