Vibration (Buzz) at certain RPM

[perk_dp]

Clarification;  I balanced without the belt sprocket, then with.  Adding the sprocket didn't not throw off balance. 
There is a minor amount of "free play" on the shifter arm on the inner primary (rear one, on the shift forks).  I plan to replace the bolt in it to prevent an "on the road fail".  Maybe,,,  that will be the culprit.   The rest of the shift mechanisms seem to be good. 
Haven't considered \ checked the starter mounting.    Will check that too. 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.    I'm beginning to think it's all in my head  

[Fugawee]

Ha-ha!  It could very well be.  That's a relatively cheap fix.

If You are planning to replace the Stock OEM Bolt on the Tranny Arm off of the Shaft...I would suggest changing to a Hex Head Bolt that You can put a Socket on and tighten it up better than You can with the Stock Allen Bolt that's in there.
I stripped the Head of an Allen way back when, and it was a Major Project just to take care of that.

[JSD]

"Changed rear tire"...New tire? Balanced?
The plot thickens.....

He said at RPM in all gears not MPH

[Tacocaster]

"If cruising at 70 mph in 6th, it's smooth until an incline where speed drops off.
Buzz\Vibration 60ish to 70 bad at 65."

JSD: I had to re-read 1st post as I know I'm getting on, but thanks for checking me.

[Hossamania]

I may have misunderstood the rpm when this is happening. When stated that it happens when it's about time to shift, I was assuming higher rpm before upshifting, but that statement of speed dropping means rpm when it's time to downshift, not upshift. This might almost be a normal condition, as the motor is starting to lug. What are the riding conditions when this occurs? What speeds in which gears, when accelerating in a gear that might be too high, cruising with light load in the proper gear, running up to the end of a gear before upshifting?
Does it vibrate at 65 mph in 5th gear? When does it start to vibrate in 5th gear?

[chas]

When I put the comp on, I check the distance of the chain from the inner primary housing to the far side of the chain. Its around 2ins on my ultra 88. I make sure it is the same as the clutch hub assembly measurement. If the comp is a little less than the clutch you will have to shim(with washers) to the same measurement. Not sure if this would cause vibration, but the chain needs to ride straight. I would get rid of the oem automatic chain tensioner! I have heard they tighten up and cause trouble with a too tight chain! The manual adjustment is between 5/8 to 7/8". Good luck and let us know what the final solution is

[perk_dp]

I may have misunderstood the rpm when this is happening. When stated that it happens when it's about time to shift, I was assuming higher rpm before upshifting, but that statement of speed dropping means rpm when it's time to downshift, not upshift. This might almost be a normal condition, as the motor is starting to lug. 

What are the riding conditions when this occurs?   Any condition (loaded, light,  uphill,  flat) 
What speeds in which gears ?     1st = 20ish,  2nd = 30ish,   3rd = 40ish,  5th 50ish 
When accelerating in a gear that might be too high, cruising with light load in the proper gear, running up to the end of a gear before upshifting?   I may shift early since I don't like to feel like I'm "pressuring" the motor.    

Does it vibrate at 65 mph in 5th gear?    no vibration at 65 in 5th    
When does it start to vibrate in 5th gear?     in 5th the vibration starts at 50 ish then smooths about 60mph.  

   (no tach,,  rpms ??) 

[Hossamania]

You're lugging the motor in 5th gear at 50mph. But 3rd gear at 40 mph is not lugging it, it should not be vibrating from that. 4th gear at 40 mph is fine for light cruising, lugging if looking for brisk acceleration. 6th gear usually prefers at least 65 mph, 70 is better.
I see on your list that 4th gear was missing in the sequence. Are you off by a gear on the list, running 3rd at 30, not 2nd, etc?

[Hossamania]

Running the motor into the upper rpm is not "pressuring" the motor. Quite the opposite. Shifting too early puts much more strain on the motor than letting it get to its proper operating range to perform work.

[motorhogman]

Running the motor into the upper rpm is not "pressuring" the motor. Quite the opposite. Shifting too early puts much more strain on the motor than letting it get to its proper operating range to perform work.

I know a machinist that once said to me, lugging a motor is like taking a hammer to the crank shaft..

[perk_dp]

Hossamania ,  I probably didn't state those shift sequences exactly right. 

I get lugging a motor is not good for it.   And maybe lugging is somewhat "in the eye of the beholder". 
To me, the motor doesn't seem to be lugging.     
And maybe  "pressuring" the motor  I mentioned above is more about pressuring my ears.  
It just doesn't seem like I should have to cruise along at 55, 60, 70 with motor sounding like it needs to shift.   
70 - 75 in 6th seems like a nice cruise (as long as i don't start up a hill and drop below 70). 

I may need to get me a tachometer for better comparison.    

[Hossamania]

What does your manual say for recommended shift points? From what I remember of mine, I found those to be minimum speeds to upshift, regularly adding 5 mph to them. Those are under ideal conditions, flat road, light acceleration.
When you feel vibration, does it go away once you are about 5mph past those shift points?

[Hossamania]

And there may actually be a problem as far as the vibration goes.
Has anyone else ridden it to give you some feedback?

[perk_dp]

And there may actually be a problem as far as the vibration goes.
Has anyone else ridden it to give you some feedback?

I did have a buddy (long time Harley rider) ride it and didn't think anything was out of ordinary. 
But, it sure seems like something is different \ not quite right to me   

[perk_dp]

got to thinking about this thread on a ride yesterday;   folks seem to be pinning my vibration to lugging. 
would coasting downhill \ compression braking  still be considered lugging ?      i ask because the vibration is still there in the gears and rpms mentioned even on decel\downhill\compression braking 

[Fugawee]

I think that it may depend on what gear You are in when You say coasting downhill.
Are You down shifting to a Lower Gear using minimum Braking?
Do You by any chance pull the Clutch Lever in to see if the vibration goes away?
I don't own any Bikes with a 6 Speed Tranny.
But the ones that I have ridden with one I wasn't going downhill in 6th, if that is possibly what You may be doing.

[nmainehunter]

You didn't state a reason for the upgrade. Did you put the old compensator back on just to see if the comp is the culprit?

[Tacocaster]

Lugging.

I had a good buddy that lugged his all the time. He loved the "feel" of it and thought it was great and the right way to use a Harley. Can't tell a Heinz pickle nutt'n so I didn't. Just saying this to note, people and what they think is "right" are different than what you may think.

[c1tori]

I would check the motor mounts on each side of the bike.  Do the motor mount bolts rest in the center of the mound donut?  I had a vibration at certain speeds and the mounts were bad.  Even put new mounts (after market) in and the vibration changed to a different speed.  Replaced the mounts again with Glide-Pro mounts and that fixed the issue.

[perk_dp]

Thanks for the additional replies. 
fugaweee -   cruizing along with the "usual vibration" at 55 (4th gear),  start down hill,  let off throttle a bit (coasting\engine braking), stay at 55, no shift,   vibration remains.     Pull clutch and the vibration changes to the "idle shake" 

nmainehunter - i replaced the compensator to fix the "kick-back\crash-sound" at startup.  i have not put the original compensator back in to see if the vibration goes away.    i have considered doing that though.     my mind asks itself "which is worse \ more damaging the vibration or the "kick-back\crash" of weak compensator springs". 

c1tori - i have looked at the motor mounts, without removing them and they look ok.  but have considered changing them anyway. 

[Hossamania]

Have you tried loosening the motor mounts and starting the bike to let them "center" themselves?
I'm not sure if that is still a thing on your mounts, I know it was on my '01.

[perk_dp]

Hoss Man,  I don't think that's an option on my 2011 Road King.   That center mount in the front doesn't exist.  
There's a "rubber" mount that bolts to the lower frame-tube on each side. 
No top engine mount  or  alignment adjuster either. 

[JSD]

Did you find the problem ?

[Lone Ranger]

Besides all that was previously mentioned, just gonna' throw out a few things here that have caused Me some Vibration Issues in the past that drove Me nuts....

Loose Engine Mounting Bolts.
Loose Tranny Mounting Bolts.
Loose Shock Mounting Bolts.
Loose Saddlebags Latches.
Loose Saddlebag Mounting Hardware, and Support Arms.
Loose Crash Bar.
Loose Rider and Passenger Footboards/Pegs and Mounts.
Loose Kickstand Mounting Bolts.
Loose Detachable Whatever's.
Loose Front-End Stem Nut and Pinch Bolts.
Loose Handlebar Risers, and Mounting Caps.
Front/Rear Wheel Balance Weights missing.

All of the above Issues (as well as a few more) were found on Various Years and Models of H-D's...and mostly after I did some type of Upgrade or Modification.
I would drive Myself berserk trying to find out where it was coming from and would repeatedly go back and look at what I had recently upgraded.
The majority of the time the problem had nothing at all to do with what I had worked on.

Do You feel the Vibration in Your Arms?  Or all thru-out You when Riding?
Does the Handling, Shifting, and Braking appear to be the same as it was prior to the SE Compensator?

Also could be rocker arm shafts, then can get sloppy after some miles.

[perk_dp]

I've been away for a while and just now checking in on this post. 
Problem still not resolved. 
The bike handles, shifts, brakes just fine as it always has. 
I feel the vibration pretty much throughout when riding. 
When I place my ankle against the shift-lever-shaft I seem to feel the vibration strongly through that shaft. 
I have a go-pro mounted on my mirror post.   I noticed the video would get blurry at certain speeds\rpms.  Basically, you can see the vibration.  I guess that makes sense though since I seem to feel it all over the bike.  The handlebars are just transferring it to the camera.