Handlebar Vibration

Discussion in 'Bonneville' started by 45Brit2017, Aug 23, 2017.

  1. 45Brit2017

    45Brit2017 Well-Known Member

    May 30, 2017
    146
    93
    UK
    one thing which is becoming increasingly obvious as I ride the bike a bit harder, is high-frequency handlebar vibration - especially the right side, which I think is probably attributable to the throttle twistgrip/handlebar fit.

    I'm thinking in terms of a handlebar weight, or possibly a bar-end mirror - anyone have any thoughts on this?
     
  2. Rooster

    Rooster Grumpy Member
    Subscriber

    Sep 14, 2015
    1,653
    800
    Droitwich, Worcestershire
    Back in the day I put 100 or so elastic bands round my throttle grip. Worked a treat.

    Do they not make anti-vibration grips for your bike. I had some on my Harley and they worked very well.
     
  3. 45Brit2017

    45Brit2017 Well-Known Member

    May 30, 2017
    146
    93
    UK
    My Sportster has the "coke bottle" grips and they work pretty well. I did think a handlebar mirror might be worth having in any case...
     
  4. Mountie

    Mountie New Member

    Sep 2, 2016
    10
    3
    Stoke on Trent
    Had a similar problem on the bonnie. Fitted some bar ends mirrors and this seemed to sort it out.

    If interested, fitted some from https://ironhorsespares.co.uk/
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
  5. 45Brit2017

    45Brit2017 Well-Known Member

    May 30, 2017
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    93
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    I like those, and I was thinking of a right-side bar end mirror anyway
     
  6. MickEng

    MickEng Noble Member

    Sep 29, 2016
    1,805
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    West Yorkshire
    Bloody good value by the look of them.
    Never heard of the company, thanks for that Mountie.
     
  7. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
    2,617
    800
    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
    That's odd, I've had both alloy lightweight bars without bar end weights and now back on std heavy bars with bar ends but non should vibrate as mine never have. The only thing I can think of is an unbalanced front wheel or some feedback from the calliper
     
  8. Rocker

    Rocker Elite Member

    May 1, 2016
    1,662
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    Suffolk
  9. 45Brit2017

    45Brit2017 Well-Known Member

    May 30, 2017
    146
    93
    UK
    The foam sleeves seem to work very well! Bought some on Amazon and fitted them, first trials seem to work pretty well at suppressing the tingle on the right hand side. I'm sure this is due to the fit between the twistgrip and handlebar, which seems generally rather loose.
     
  10. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
    2,617
    800
    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
    But in real terms are you masking the real problem?
     
  11. 45Brit2017

    45Brit2017 Well-Known Member

    May 30, 2017
    146
    93
    UK
    Probably, but I don't have any other option. The twistgrip feels quite a slack fit, and I'm sure that's the real problem; but I don't know enough about these ride-by-wire throttles, and I'm not taking it apart on spec.
     
  12. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
    3,358
    800
    Nr Biggar
    I agree. Triumph did not design the modern Bonnie to loosen fillings like its 60s namesake. If you have any appreciable vibration I would be checking frame and engine bolts to correct torque having first balanced the carbs/throttle bodies.
    Treat the cause not the symptoms!
     
  13. 45Brit2017

    45Brit2017 Well-Known Member

    May 30, 2017
    146
    93
    UK
    Probably, but I don't have any other option. The twistgrip feels quite a slack fit, and I'm sure that's the real problem; but I don't know enough about these ride-by-wire throttles, and I'm not taking it apart on spec.
    I already did that, when the right-side footrest loosened itself (which I gather is also quite a common problem). I took most of the slop out of the mounting with a couple of spring washers, and haven't had any issues with it since.

    The bike really doesn't vibrate at all, to speak of. It's just the right-side twistgrip, which makes itself felt after a while. If it was a "proper" throttle I'd just dismantle it and fit a nylon twistgrip barrel, well fitted to the bar with a light smear of grease, which usually cures tingles of that sort, but I don't know about these fly-by-wire contraptions and don't feel like finding out.
     
  14. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
    3,358
    800
    Nr Biggar
    Oh, you mean the rattle!
     
  15. Bonnie lad

    Bonnie lad New Member

    Jul 24, 2016
    7
    3
    Milton Keynes
    Strangely I have the same issue with my 2014 T100, when stopping after an hours ride I have a tingling in my right hand despite consiously trying not to grip too tight ( ooh err mrs ) - replacement soft grips? Anyone know of any?
     
  16. 45Brit2017

    45Brit2017 Well-Known Member

    May 30, 2017
    146
    93
    UK
    #16 45Brit2017, Aug 31, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2017
    The foam grips seem to have tamed the vibration nicely, although I haven't yet been on a long ride (over 25 miles)

    Just as well, seeing as I can't budge the screw holding the right-side handlebar end in place.. there are a number of threads on Triumph Rat forum about this, seems to be a common problem on the later air-cooled bikes.
     
  17. capt

    capt Elite Member

    May 8, 2016
    3,049
    750
    western Australia
    A good old boy fix fill the bars with sand or lead shot !
    The weight and loose material acts like a shock absorber "

    Cheers capt.
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
  18. Peter cude

    Peter cude Member

    Jun 21, 2017
    14
    8
    Leatherhead
    I put cycle tape,that has gel in the middle on my street twin and Thruxton. More comfortable.
     
  19. Peter cude

    Peter cude Member

    Jun 21, 2017
    14
    8
    Leatherhead
    Cycle tape that has gel along its length. Got it on my Twin and Thruxton. Seems to work.
     
    • Useful Useful x 2
  20. 45Brit2017

    45Brit2017 Well-Known Member

    May 30, 2017
    146
    93
    UK
    I have gel-palm gloves already so didn't want anything too bulky
     
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