The secret to smoothness

My 2013 8V was very smooth, no real vibration issues and I could ride it all day.

My current GRiSO is a 2007.

Valves are adjusted, TBs balanced, Beetle mapped and it is very vibey (for a Guzzi) and puts my hands to sleep in about 30 minutes.

I recently changed the handlebar which helped a little but I wonder why it is so different from the 8V.

My other bike is a 1975 Guzzi Eldorado with a tuned 950 Tonti motor (insert hot rod babble here). It too is very smooth and when it gets a bit vibey I can tell the carbs need balancing and it smooths right out.

Are the 4Vs just that way and I should stop trying?

My 2V 1200 is vibey, though half that is how tight I grip the handlebars - I have to keep reminding myself to relax, which helps enormously.

However I have a vibration around 3,000 rpm and a buzz around 4,000 rpm. I avoid these engine speeds, preferring to run over 4,000 whenever possible - engine smooths right out from there.

There are a few things that will make a difference: your muffler mount might need some insertion rubber where it bolts onto the frame; different bar ends weights - I found I had to go lighter with the handguards. Perhaps some grip-puppies might also help...

I like grip puppies.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I also find myself gripping too tight and my right hand in particular falls asleep. I have a throttle lock for a break. I rode a friends bike with the grip puppies and it was a big difference but I haven’t done that yet as I have sone geegaw grips I don’t want to hide..... and mine is a 4V that I feel is very well tuned due to the help I get here.

Oz1200Guzzi wrote:

However I have a vibration around 3,000 rpm and a buzz around 4,000 rpm.

Yep, same here

Quote :

There are a few things that will make a difference: your muffler mount might need some insertion rubber where it bolts onto the frame; different bar ends weights - I found I had to go lighter with the handguards. Perhaps some grip-puppies might also help...

Thanks, Grip puppies are on, I will look at the muffler mount and bar ends. New handlebar has none yet.

Had to take the heavy (stelvio) weights off mine to reduce the vibration - first time I have encountered that on a big cylinder engine.

lcjohnny wrote:

Had to take the heavy (stelvio) weights off mine to reduce the vibration - first time I have encountered that on a big cylinder engine.

Experienced the same on an Indian FTR1200.

I fitted Sato Racing 30mm bar end weights (orig 20mm) thinking the longer weights would be made from the same material.  Wrong!  The originals were 124 gm, replacements ones 73 gm.  Yet I experience a reduction in handlebar vibration.  Go figure!

Resonances work in mysterious ways. Sometime lighter is better.

Here are my secrets to smoothness...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Yeah Steve, smooth but not that smooth - these from your bathroom cabinet?

Quote :

Experienced the same on an Indian FTR1200.

I fitted Sato Racing 30mm bar end weights (orig 20mm) thinking the longer weights would be made from the same material.  Wrong!  The originals were 124 gm, replacements ones 73 gm.  Yet I experience a reduction in handlebar vibration.  Go figure!

That's why I didn't put on the bar ends right away. That will be this weekend's project as the new bar is not threaded/has no insert.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

There's smooth, and then there's soporific.

Kenny Gee Whiz.