new member with some bad vibs

[perky]

Hi all,
I have just purchased a 2004 650 transalp and think it could be the best bike I've ever owned and I only had it a weekend.

The only problem I have is the engine vibrations.
I test rode a 2000 650 locally and it was smooth. I found a 2004 transalp with half the k's out of town so brought it sight unseen.
The vibs seem to be present through the whole rev range getting worst around 4-5000revs. I can even feel it through the footpegs.

The bike has after market bars with riser fitted and has done 20000 kms.

I have seen a few glimmers of hope on other threads like carb balancing, but could that make a lot of difference?

Any suggestions would be appreicated.

[BobA]

G'day Perky!

Carb balancing makes a whole heap of difference, and can transform a bike, so concentrate on getting that sorted right now. If the carbs are out of sync, it usually manifests itself around 4500-5500rpm, so it sounds like it could be your problem.

I had a set of stainless steel engine bars on my Africa Twin which split, cracked and basically disintegrated on a ride from London to Barcelona and back, and I'm convinced it was all due to the lumpy engine and unbalanced carbs. The bars seems to amplify the problem and you could feel it through the whole bike.

Keep calm for now, and just balance them up for starters, and give the bike a good service (something I guess it may not have had in the past if it's running this bad)

It COULD be something much worse, but I'd expect bad mechanical noises along with the vibes, but don't start thinking alond those lines yet, just go for the basics and above all REMAIN CALM!!!!

There's a few other Kiwi members on here and in the Africa Twin section, so why not look them up and see how local they are to you for an opinion.



Good Luck



Bob

[StumpyFingers]

I agree with BOBA, get the carbs balanced first.
If you have gauges it is quite simple and does not cost a fortune.
If that does not cure it check all the mountings to ensure they are tight.
Check the chain is not over tightened.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Balancing the carbs may help but this has most effect at low revs.

I have two 650's a 2000 & a 2002, despite them both being fully serviced by myself, with the same equipment, the 2000 bike has always been more vibey than my 2002.

I reckon that you may have to live with it, although I seem to remember someone posting a long time ago who said something along the lines of slackening the front engine mounts & lifting the engine (with a jack) & tightening whilst jacked reduced the vibes.

Phil

[jarl]

Do an oil change? Mine got well vibey as it was coming up to the oil change interval, smooth as a babies bum after

[rick001]

Check chain & sprockets- Mine gets vibrations when the front sprocket / chain is worn. Carb balance is the other biggy.