A Tip Concerning Sissy Bar Vibration

Energy One

Whistler

Active Member
While warming my engine last week, I noticed my 18" sissy bar was vibrating back and forth significantly. I goosed the throttle and the vibration essentially stopped. Appears my sissy bar is "tuned" to the engine idle rpms and resonates at that rpm/frequency. Like most mechanical systems there can be multiple resonate frequencies. I placed my leather jacket over the top of the sissy bar which helped dampen the vibration.

Point is: extended vibration of the sissy bar can cause fatigue in the connection hex bolts and lead to failure. I suspect this is a contributing factor in many of the earlier sissy bar bolt failures.

My tip is that you place a coat, T bag, or attach a similar item to the sissy bar to dampen the vibration when you can. I will probably attach my Ultra Tour Bag and leave it on for most of my riding. Hope this tip helps you.

:2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
 

KnotSo

Admin
Staff member
I have had my touring bag on since the moment the bitch bar was installed and have not had any issues.

Good observation. :cheers:
 

bdmridgeback

Low Down Chop Shop
Mine resonates at about 2000 RPM. If I take off from a stop to turn a corner, it starts to shake the bar about half way through the turn.

Mine doesn't move hardly at all, around, and just above idle!
 
Top