[oldman1]

Hey Guys,
I have a weird problem on my 04 Sportster 883, and don't quite know what to make of it. I was riding in the city today and noticed every time I was at a complete stop, I would pull in the front brake lever and get a vibration throughout the whole bike. Again this was at a complete stop, not moving at all. The back brake wouldn't do it, only when pulling in the lever for the front brake. You wouldn't have to pull it hard, just till the lever came to a stop. It also did not effect the engine. The bike just vibrated. Is this something new to the Sportsters? I checked everything out but could find no reason for a stopped bike to vibrate when pulling in the front brake lever. Not a harsh vibration, but a mild one. Any info. on this problem would be appreciated.
Thanks guys.

[chucktx]

my electra glide does the same thing. i think i you watch the front wheel while stopped you will see it wiggleing/vibrating. when you apply the front brake you make the front wheel solid and it transfers it to the bars......no problem to the bike or you....your just stiffing up the front wheel.........

[Art_NJr]

Originally Posted by oldman1

Hey Guys,
I have a weird problem on my 04 Sportster 883, and don't quite know what to make of it. I was riding in the city today and noticed every time I was at a complete stop, I would pull in the front brake lever and get a vibration throughout the whole bike. Again this was at a complete stop, not moving at all. The back brake wouldn't do it, only when pulling in the lever for the front brake. You wouldn't have to pull it hard, just till the lever came to a stop. It also did not effect the engine. The bike just vibrated. Is this something new to the Sportsters? I checked everything out but could find no reason for a stopped bike to vibrate when pulling in the front brake lever. Not a harsh vibration, but a mild one. Any info. on this problem would be appreciated.
Thanks guys.

LOL !!! If you had a Sportster '03 or earlier, the vibes would be there all the time. With the advent of the rubber-mounted engine/trans. unit in 2004, much of the vibration inherent in the V-Twin design is isolated from the rider, but when you pull on the front brake, you transfer some that you didn't feel before.

You should probably check the steering neck bearings, handlebar bushings, etc. since applying the rear brake doesn't do the same thing, but it's also more isolated than the front. Feeling somewhat of a change in vibration stopped & just applying the front brake is not something to be concerned about, but a very noticeable change indicates something looser than it should be.

One of the biggest gripes about Sportsters was that the engine/trans. unit bolted directly to the frame (like my '95 & '00) made the whole bike vibrate along with the engine & H-D addressed that by going with a bigger & heavier frame that allowed for the engine to "float" on rubber mounts. But that doesn't change the fact that the engine still vibrates like it did before - the new setup was just designed so you feel less of it.

[oldman1]

Thanks for the info guys. It does feel like somehow when that front brake is on it is transferring engine vibration to the frame. I did check the steering mechanism and there's no problem there. Its not a real bad vibration or anything like that, just enough vibration to be noticeable. Being my first Harley the only bikes I had to compare it to was the rice burners I once owned. I still enjoy the Harley ride compared to the other bikes I had. One heck of alot more power too.

[VYBR8ER]

Nothing wrong with the bike, it's like Chuck says, you stop the front wheel from moving with the engine pulses and the rest of the bike will start shaking.

[SPORSTERBOY]

I Think Also It Is Something To Do With The New Rubber Mounting , My O3 Vibrates All The Time, Looks Like It's Bouncing Up And Down, Bad At High Rpms Also.

[oldman1]

Again, thanks guys. The vibration isn't as bad as Sporsterboy's, it is very minimal and no vibration at all while driving or just sitting stopped with the engine running. Only when the front brake is pulled in do I feel a small vibration. I just wanted to make sure that it was normal for the bike. Guess I should be glad my first Harley Sportster was with the new type engine damper/mounts vs. the old style engine mounted straight to the frame. Other than that small problem the Sportster runs super on the road or highways. I really like the heavy steel bike frame on the Harleys compared to getting blown around on the cheaper aluminum frame bikes of other manufacturers.

[HellBoy]

My 2003 Sporty vibrates and shakes too. Wouldn't mind a bit less of it, but I have heard that the 2004 and on models aren't as nimble as a result of the bigger frame and more weight. I'll have to try one at a rally or dealership to see how much difference there is.

[fxdxriderleo]

i can feel that on my '03 FXDX. if you lightly pull in the clutch you can feel the engine pulsating thru the lever. you won't feel it with the rear brake because the rear brake and wheel are isolated by the rubber motor mounts and rear shocks.

[Sportster2003]

Originally Posted by oldman1

I still enjoy the Harley ride compared to the other bikes I had. One heck of alot more power too.

What were you riding before? My 03 1200 shakes and rumbles but I grew up on Triumph twins so it's all part of the fun. Can't say I ever really noticed the brake lever deal. Must have just accepted it as part of the bike.
The ride is definately cool though. Took an 08 Triumph Street Triple out for a burn and man could it go. Handled like a dirt bike almost, but after 30 odd minutes me bum was numb. Would have to take the gel seat option.
Don't get that on the sporty.
Cheeers:

[HellBoy]

Just noticed my rear brake pulls to the right when I hit it hard. Guess I better look into it before an emergency stop floors me.

[Art_NJr]

Originally Posted by HellBoy

Just noticed my rear brake pulls to the right when I hit it hard. Guess I better look into it before an emergency stop floors me.

Wheel alignment is no doubt off. As I've mentioned in the past, the axle spacers may not be the right size & the wheel's offset - common problem which I didn't know about until the 1st time I went for new tires.