light vibrating when leaning 1500 classic

[rolling thunder]

Hello every one , just joined your forum, sold my ZX11 for a 96 1500 vulcan classic, not to familar with this type of ride , is it normal for 2nd gear to CLUNCK, and i get an odd feeling when cornering or leaning . kinda like a rubbing sound or feels like driving on groved pavement , don't know whats normal . Tires are fairly new and good tread ,nothing on tires rubbing , wheel bearings?" or shaft area ? any one ever have this problem? THANKS

[Crystalship1]

I can comment on the "clunk" issue. This IS the nature of the beast on this machine. If you switch to synthetic oil this clunk will improve considerably. At least it did with mine. Also, it helps to "pre-load" the shifter when going from 1st up into 2nd. That means before pulling the clutch in, apply pressure on the shift lever so that when the clutch is pulled in there will be a positive shift from 1st into 2nd.. Good luck and ride safe!!

[JFeisty]

I'm a new rider and have an '07 VN1500 and mine exhibits both of the behaviors you describe. I've seen posts over the last few months on these forums that say that both the "clunk" going into 2nd gear and the rubbing sound when leaning the bike over is normal. The clunk I can understand, but hopefully someone will come along and explain the rubbing sound. Is it just an issue of the tread being...."different" on the sides of the tire than in the middle?

[Ojisan]

+1 for the Pre-loading on the shift from 1st to 2nd as Chrystalship1 stated. Just rest your heal on the shifter with a little weight and pull the clutch in and it goes from a "Clunk" to a softer sounding, more positive engagment of the gears. I also ride the 1500, 06 Classic and can say its a great ride.

check the tire pressure every time you ride, I put 38rear and 36front, with over 5K on the odo I have detected very little tire wear, no "chicken strips" on my tires as I am conservative on cornering.

If everything is tight and right I would chalk it up to a difference in bikes or perhaps tires are not balanced just right.

It is a beautiful ride and at 75 MPH the engine is just loping along and smooth as a babies butt A true enjoyment to ride. I usually ride on weekends and put 300 to 500 miles with a smile on my face every inch of the way.

[rolling thunder]

THANKS, for your interest in my small problems , i will try the new ideas , however i will have to wait , just starting to snow here in NIAGARA FALLS , Brrrrrrrr !

[gdhugh]

Both issues ae normal. Even on my V2K, when the tires where new they made a horrible growling noise when rounding corners if they were contacting on the sides. They clunk I still have but I ignore it. It almost goes away when I have a fresh oil change. I haven't gone to syn oil yet. I have talked to people who notice ZERO change in gear noise, shift smoothness, etc... and some swear by it. You'll have to deside that on your own. I do preload the shifter and get a quieter shift but I don't shift exactly the same every time. I don't think anyone does. The more you ride it the more comfortable you get with the little things so go ride that baby.
Welcome to the forum.

[Crystalship1]

(+1) on the synth. oil. I have heard that some have no change whatsoever where as the difference that I saw was dramatic and immediate (speaking of a '97 1500 Classic, BTW). As a matter of fact when I took my scoot for a spin around the block after the oil change I did the heavy pre-load (previously I had to pre-load with LOT of pressure to avoid the clunk/crunch) out of habit and the thing actually up shifted without me pulling in the clutch!!! Now it takes just the slightest amount of pre-load pressure to get a click rather than a clunk/crunch. Weird how the results are hit and miss!!

Originally Posted by gdhugh

Both issues ae normal. Even on my V2K, when the tires where new they made a horrible growling noise when rounding corners if they were contacting on the sides. They clunk I still have but I ignore it. It almost goes away when I have a fresh oil change. I haven't gone to syn oil yet. I have talked to people who notice ZERO change in gear noise, shift smoothness, etc... and some swear by it. You'll have to deside that on your own. I do preload the shifter and get a quieter shift but I don't shift exactly the same every time. I don't think anyone does. The more you ride it the more comfortable you get with the little things so go ride that baby.
Welcome to the forum.