Rubber engine mounts - Norge

[PJPR01]

Has anyone ever added a thick rubber washer between the main bolts on either side of the engine that mount the engine to the frame?  Would it make any difference to the minimal vibrations, (no mirrors shaking at all) just curious if it would change the ride quality at all?

[blackcat]

Never considered it, but then I don't have a problem with the vibration on my Norge.

[nc43bsa]

Adding rubber washers in the motor mount system would have the equivalent effect of loosening the bolts.

And leaving them loose.

[Gliderjohn]

How much vibration and where, handlebars, foot pegs? My 2011 had very slight vibration and not at all annoying. Moto tune issues possibly?
GliderJohn

[PJPR01]

No material vibration issues, just a tiny bit would be nice to eliminate when riding at a brisk pace (85 mph+) = bike is nicely tuned, running greatly, all TB's balanced and running perfectly.  The problem is I cycle thru the 8V Griso which is smoother then 4V Norge, then I ride the Goldwing and I go back to the Scura and then the Norge and I think to myself...perhaps I could make it a bit smoother.

I know it's a mental illusion, but hey...if I can make it a tad bit smoother that would be nice.  There's no vibration coming thru footpegs or handlebars or mirrors, just the general V-twin natural vibe...

[rocker59]

Since Guzzi engines are stressed members, I would think you would introduce some flex that may, or may not have a negative impact on handling.

[PJPR01]

Since Guzzi engines are stressed members, I would think you would introduce some flex that may, or may not have a negative impact on handling.

Absolutely fair point...

I'm hoping to see if a 1/16 or 1/8 thickness hard rubber washer would have any impact on the overall feeling when riding, while being cautious about creating any sort of rocking of the engine when throwing it around curves...agreed, that would be a bad idea.      Easy enough to put in a take out, so not a permanent issue.  I don't think that thickness would cause any alignment issues with the rear CARC drive.

[SemperVee]

  All my HD's were rubber mounted motors from the factory.They occasionally needed checking.  I would caution you from introducing new handling dynamics into your frame. Just my .02 worth.

[Moparnut72]

Also the Harleys are front to back not side to side. One of the major mounts is to the front head if I remember correctly from what I have read. Mine were Softails which were balanced and solidly mounted. I would think a rubber mounted balanced would be really smooth but not what the traditional Harley crowd wants. When I was looking at them the salesman brought out a Dyna, watching that engine trying to jump out of the frame I said no thanks.
kk

[Bulldog9]

I wouldn't recommend... The motor is a stressed member on a CARC bike. You'll never get the bolts reliable torqued and keep tight, and will likely be buzzier.

Balance TB's, (high and low speeds) proper valve adjust, proper plugs & gap, ensure no vacuum leaks and the motor should be butter smooth between 4&6k.

Also a good idea to go over the bike. All fasteners, mounts including exhaust and suspension.

Where/what conditions are you having issues?

[PJPR01]

I wouldn't recommend... The motor is a stressed member on a CARC bike. You'll never get the bolts reliable torqued and keep tight, and will likely be buzzier.

Balance TB's, (high and low speeds) proper valve adjust, proper plugs & gap, ensure no vacuum leaks and the motor should be butter smooth between 4&6k.

Also a good idea to go over the bike. All fasteners, mounts including exhaust and suspension.

Where/what conditions are you having issues?

All fair points...the bike is running as well as a 2008 4V Norge can run and I've had it since new (bought from MPH).  I'm on an elusive hunt to make it smoother just because of the comparison I have to my 2015 8V Griso and and unfair/unrealistic comparison to my 2021 Goldwing Bagger.   

Everything is tuned exceptionally well, getting great mileage, Guzzidiag clean with no faults and all parameters in spec, Beetle map, TB's all clean and balanced at idle and high rev's, no airleaks anywhere, fresh air filter and plugs, proper valve adjustment, fresh fluids in transmission, engine and rear CARC,  no leaks...so I know it's as good as it gets naturally...I have no buzzing, or vibration in the pegs, mirrors or anywhere, just trying to fine tune it even more than "natural".  Essentially trying to make a V Twin feel like an Inline 4 (impossible I know, but fun to theorize about).

I see a common response here and in other research about not being able to torque the bolts down...that's great advice and much appreciated.

The bike has been apart for 3 months from June to September as I worked thru my low charging electrical issues which was resolved by replacing the main wire harness from starter to battery and cleaning every single electrical connection on the bike, degreased it from head to toe and tightened all bolts all around, so it's rock solid and starting/running perfectly both cold and hot.  I couldn't ask for more, but I'm just curious if I can get it minutely better...I like to tinker with things in the garage.

Like a nice pair of comfortable blue jeans, it fits perfectly and behaves very predictably.  I could take it cross country tomorrow w/o any extra prep.  Anyone who rides a Norge would ride it and say it's behaving exactly as it should...

[blackcat]

“…just a tiny bit would be nice to eliminate when riding at a brisk pace (85 mph+)…”

My Norge has vibration at those speeds too, not a lot but it’s there and I’ve balanced the throttle bodies at the higher revs but it’s still there; I usually don’t ride that bike at those speeds for very long.

[Rebochi]

    Probably a bad idea, the engine is the lower portion of the frame.  I have a 1200S,vibration is not much of a problem. Try heavier bar end weights if vibration is a bothering you.

[PJPR01]

    Probably a bad idea, the engine is the lower portion of the frame.  I have a 1200S,vibration is not much of a problem. Try heavier bar end weights if vibration is a bothering you.

Thanks...good suggestion - this helped a lot many years ago, I have no vibrations in the bars, and have had the heavy Throttlemeister bar ends since practically new, no vibrations in the mirrors/footpegs, no numb hands or feet even on 500 mile days.

Maybe I shouldn't call these vibrations, more trying to see if the engine can feel smoother...probably impossible given everything done so far.