When did Harley-Davidson start using rubber mounted engines? – Jalopnik

Having unbalanced V-twin engines bolted directly to their steel frames is one of the reasons why Harley-Davidsons vibrate so much. To reduce vibration, Harley-Davidson began using rubber-mounted engines on its higher-end touring models more than four decades ago. Diving into the archives of Cycle World magazine, we found reports of Harley-Davidson’s use of rubber engine mounts on the all-new 1980 FLT Tour Glide’s 80 cubic inch V-Twin. In addition, Doc Harley of the Low Country Harley Davidson The YouTube channel places the year of Harley-Davidson’s first rubber-mounted motorcycles as 1980.

The Harley-Davidson Museum confirms that the 1980 FLT Tour Glide was the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle to use a rubber-mounted drivetrain. While other Harley Davidson motorcycles continued to use solid connections between engines and frames, the Sportster series, one of the best Harley-Davidson motorcycles for new riders, switched to rubber mounts in 2004.

The one major negative associated with Harley-Davidson’s use of rubber engine mounts is that they eventually wear out. If they do, they will need some expertise to change them safely. Replacing engine mounts is a fairly simple task for any DIY mechanic with the right tools and equipment, but don’t trust ChatGPT for repair advice.

The main factor in favor of rubber-mounted Harley-Davidson motorcycles is the reduction in vibration transmitted to the rider, but some riders prefer sturdy mounts. Harley-Davidson Forums user ash-wrenching says the vibrations you feel at mid-range are “actually quite pleasant” and “make the engine feel alive.” However, rubber mounts do not always eliminate all vibration. Dynamark, another one Harley-Davidson Forums According to one user, the rubber-mounted engine in the 2010 Street Glide they borrowed from a dealer vibrated more than their Dyna.

Beginning in 1999, Harley-Davidson began offering internally balanced engine designs, such as the B-Series Twin Cam V-Twin, to reduce engine-induced vibration. The company used rigid engine mounts to install its B-Series Twin Cam engine on its Softail models. Later, the internally balanced Revolution V-Twin engine debuted in 2002 on the V-Rod with rubber engine mounts. Current balanced Harley-Davidson V-Twin engines include the Milwaukee-Eight and the Revolution Max.