V7 II vibrations get buzzy and unpleasant

[Xidbear]

Hey, guys, anyone experienced weird vibrations at around 3500+ rpm on V7 II? I know MG is about vibrations and I enjoy them (not in a weird way ) but these have have started recently, are rather "buzzy" and not pleasant, felt thru pegs and bars. Any remedy?

[John A]

It’s just part of motorcycling , finding and fixing vibrations.  Look for something slightly loose, going around and touching everything.  Slap the mufflers and you can tell if they are the source. Last year I discovered my license plate made a noise when I tapped it and I had to put rubber washers under the mount bolts.  I found the front tire was rubbing slightly on the underside of the fender as the tire grows at speed. I found the windshield was drumming due to slightly loose mount bolts.  Look at your kickstand assembly and ensure it is not resting on the exhaust and the springs are ok. Look for stuff that touches the exhaust and generally check for loose stuff before getting into engine tune which it may not need.

[jpv7]

check your header nuts at the engine.  Mine like to loosen off.  Lost 1 already.  Torque is 10 Nm.

[Bollbert]

I made new stainless bushings for the very stiff rubber mounted handlebar. A little longer ~+1mm. Using 14mm hydraulic pipe. ~0.2mm thinner diameter compare to stock bushings. Worked for me with some flexible handlebar on my V7 2015.

[malik]

Leave no nut unturned. I've heard before of a V7 with a loose engine mounting bolt (& they are difficult to get at), and in the past I've lost the lower left hand shock nut, a pillion footpeg bolt (holds the muffler), loose luggage rack bolts, loose fly screen mounting bolts, loose gear lever linkages, loose rearset footpegs, as well as the more common loose screws on the exhaust system. A broken headlight bucket usually produces a different rattle and at at all speeds, as did broken dash anti vibration mounts on the 1100 Sport. Also check the disc rotor bolts & the caliper mounts. Put the bike in the air & spin the wheels. Good luck.

[malik]

Oh yes, failing wheel bearings produce some weird & elusive symptoms, before collapsing.

[Andy1]

Not normal.   I would get to a speed when it vibrates and pull in the clutch and shut the throttle to see if it comes from engine or chassis.
From your post it sounds like it is engine related.  In that case put everything back to standard and check all bolts are tight and hopefully it will go away.
AndyB
.   

[mhershon]

My V7 doesn't like to run at about 3500 or so rpm. Once it reaches about 3800 or especially 4000rpm, it smooths right out and feels happy. Honestly, I think it's the way the bike is. I try to ride "around" that problem. Call it personality or call it a flaw, the bike doesn't run smoothly at 3500-3750rpm. In my view...

[Dave Swanson]

My V7 doesn't like to run at about 3500 or so rpm. Once it reaches about 3800 or especially 4000rpm, it smooths right out and feels happy. Honestly, I think it's the way the bike is. I try to ride "around" that problem. Call it personality or call it a flaw, the bike doesn't run smoothly at 3500-3750rpm. In my view...

My thoughts exactly.  Downshift and bring it up a couple hundred rpm or more and life will be good. 

[kingoffleece]

Agreed.  The motor has "happy places" and some not so much.  Check those rpm ranges first .
That's the beauty of the Guzzi.

[SmithSwede]

I don’t run my V7 under any kind of load at 3500.  Way too low.   Let it spin.   It likes to run between 4000 and 5500, and that’s where I keep mine.   

But maybe you are saying it never did this before at 3500, but now it suddenly does.   Then I agree with advice above—isolate the source.   

I once had the heat shield on the right exhaust get loose.   It made an incredible racket, but only at lower rpms.   Tighten the two screws, no more problem. 

[greer]

Same way with the Mighty Nevada, there's an unmistakable lugging vibration under load at lower rpms, more of a thump than buzz.  Smooth as silk up past 4000 or so.  But I believe Xidbear is reporting a sudden change in his bike.

Sarah

[sib]

If you have crash bars mounted (like I do), they amplify the vibrations at about 3800 rpm.  Run the bike up to 3800 rpm and feel the crash bars, and you'll see what I mean.

[Bulldog9]

All good comments above. Let the motor spin...  How many miles are on the bike? Things smooth out nicely as miles accumulate. Like others have mentioned, I tend to stay in the 4K-5500 while riding, but notice at 6K miles the motor is much smoother when I put along at 3000-3500.