handlebar and running board vibration

shaggyzr2

shaggyzr2

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Joined
Dec 26, 2011
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Age
48
Location
Central Wisconsin
Just picked up a 98 vmax 700 xtc with 4700 miles on it, just took it for a short ride across my lawn to put it in the shed for the summer, I noticed a vibration in the bars and running boards. The sled doesn't need to be moving to feel the vibration. It had been sitting for a couple of years with gas in it so the carbs were a little gummed up, cleaned the carbs up and it runs very smooth. I also have a 97 700 and I really dont get any vibration out if that one, what could be causing the vibration?
 
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it will be the torque limiter behind the engine. if its set so its touching the block all the time or its very close it will vibrate through the whole sled. loosen the bolts and put a 1/8 - 1/4 inch gap between it and the block.
 
that's pointing to the torque limiter even more. because the motor is being pulled back on it when the clutch engages. give it a try!
 
I've got the limiter touching the block on my 97 sx and I have no vibration with that one. I'll have to take a look at the limiter on the XTC. Another thing I thought of was antifreeze on the belt and clutches. When I was cleaning the carbs I pulled the line for the heated carbs and got some antifreeze on the belt and clutches, maybe thats causing it to slip in spots possibly creating the vibration.
 
Feeling a vibration big enough to go through the handlebars when sitting still dont sound good. Not sure about the 700 but my 600 vibrates at idle but smooths right out when rev'd up. If its present at idle i would check the primary clutch out, Pull it off clean and inspect. Also i would be worried about a crank issue. The belt would only cause a vibration when moving. They can vibrate a sled pretty good if there is a flat spot on them. Also bad speedo or chaincase bearing would cause this vibration but only when moving, same with the belt. I would be looking into primary clutch and possible crank issue if this is happening at idle. Just to clarify when exactly do you feel the vibration. When the sled engages track on a stand (but not moving) or same vibration at idle??
 
There is no vibration at idle, it starts when the clutch engages. With the sled sitting on the ground, I bring up the rpms till it wants to take off, thats when I start feeling the vibration.
 
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That makes more sense. My bet is on belt, that cures it about 90% of the time. Start there then work your way to bearings, something not right with skid, track ect.... With it sitting that long im sure it developed a flat spot on it, this is one reason not to store a belt on the clutch's.
 
Sorry im confused now. If it vibrates when you bring the rpms up to engage the clutch's the belt would have to be moving. If the belts not moving the sleds not moving and it vibrates your back to checking your primary clutch and crank??
 
It starts vibrating as soon as the clutch puts pressure on the belt just before it starts turning the belt and it will continue vibrating after the sled starts to move. If it were a crank issue wouldn't I feel the vibration at pretty much any RPM?
 
The primary clutch will not engage untill you reach a certain rpm, not sure what that is on this sled. When it does the weights move causing the primary to squeeze the belt and so on. So by that thinking if its vibrating before engagement then it could be a primay issue as in bad rollers, broken spring, wore weights or even broken. I would pull clutch and give it a good cleaning and inspection. IF the crank were out of phase or going bad i would think you would feel it at idle. It has to be in drive somewhere, i/e belt, primary.
 
shaggyzr2 said:
It starts vibrating as soon as the clutch puts pressure on the belt just before it starts turning the belt and it will continue vibrating after the sled starts to move. If it were a crank issue wouldn't I feel the vibration at pretty much any RPM?
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Try a new belt and clean and check your primay. IF you dont have a puller at least take the primary cover off and clean best you can with some break clean and compressed air. Then give it a good look. use a green scotch brite pad and clean and scuff your primary sheave. Some warm water is usually enough then rinse and dry. Then give the sheaves a once over with a clean paper towel and some rubbing alcohol or acetone.
 
I just took a closer look at the primary, inner and outer bushings seem to have alot of play in them, I'm thinking with all that play it's making the clutch wobble back and forth when it comes in contact with the belt causing the vibration.
 
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