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[Chief]

Hey Chief, Glad to hear that you are happy with the new powder coating. Looks awesome to me. I have the sta-bo bushings and the tru track on my bike. I noticed the increase in vibration that you referred to here after installing the bushings and have considered removing them. With the tru track do you think that the sta bo bushings are needed? tia, jj. 

Thanks John.

No, you don't need both. I feel the Sta-Bos are a more direct cure for the problem as they are best able to correct the problem at the source, the rubber mounts.

I understand a lot of people install both brackets AND bushings and are then dissatisfied with the results, normally due to the increased vibration. By not realizing that the stabilizer brackets and the Sta-Bos bushings are both trying to do the exact same thing, many people think if a bracket is good, better bushings, in the normal sense of bushings would help even more. I believe part of the problem is a misunderstanding of what the Sta-Bo bushings are, or more importantly, what they aren't.

Normally, we think of bushings as a cheap alternative to more expensive bearings. Cheap powertools use bushings while good ones use ball bearings, so bushings = cheap. This is what I thought before I looked into them.

If you think of Sta-Bo bushings as thrust bearings or thrust washers instead of standard axle bushings, you'll get it faster. The Sta-Bos stop the side to side motion of the swingarm by providing a semi-rigid load bearing surface to absorb the side loads from the swingarm and transfer them to the frame without flexing or deforming like the rubber mounts do.

I like the Sta-Bos because they stop the problem where it starts instead of relying on the transmission to solve a problem with the rubber motor mounts. The rear of the transmission wasn't designed to carry the horizontal swingarm loads so I'd like to keep it that way. The Sta-Bos are also only $100 which makes it a cheaper experiment than the bolt on stabilizers.

I realize I am putting myself in a position of possibly having to eat crow when this all goes back together and things don't work out as I hope. That's ok, crow ain't bad if you season it correctly.

[twojay]

Chief, Thanks for the response and thanks for posting all the detailed pics. They sure helped me in understanding the swingarm issue. As I stated before I have the true track and the sta bo bushings. I have an issue with each of them and was considering removing one if not both.  After installing the bushings the vibration increased, thus they were counter productive to some of the other mods. The true track causes a slight bit of instability when I raise my bike on my lift. Not a lot but just enough to make me a little nervous. Also have a couple of other concerns with it. Wonder how the swing arm fix of the week will work out? Oh well, time to do some real work. Thanks again and best of luck with your bike. I know it will be better than ever when you finish though the waiting is always a killer. jj

[Black Diamond]

Thanks for the great post. Lots of good info. By the way, what's up with flipping us the "finger" in reply 2? I thought we was all brother and sisters? LOL
JW

[Fired00d]

Thanks for the great post. Lots of good info. By the way, what's up with flipping us the "finger" in reply 2? I thought we was all brother and sisters? LOL
JW

I noticed that too.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Black Diamond]

I noticed because I see it so often! LOL  Must be my personality!

[Fired00d]

Chuck,
Thanks for the information/breakdown of this area.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Chief]

Chief, Thanks for the response and thanks for posting all the detailed pics. They sure helped me in understanding the swingarm issue. As I stated before I have the true track and the sta bo bushings. I have an issue with each of them and was considering removing one if not both.  After installing the bushings the vibration increased, thus they were counter productive to some of the other mods. The true track causes a slight bit of instability when I raise my bike on my lift. Not a lot but just enough to make me a little nervous. Also have a couple of other concerns with it. Wonder how the swing arm fix of the week will work out? Oh well, time to do some real work. Thanks again and best of luck with your bike. I know it will be better than ever when you finish though the waiting is always a killer. jj

John,

Your observation of increased vibration is a very common one. The manufacturer doesn't hide the fact that you will probably notice it but also states that the bushings have to seat in over 1,000 to 1,500 miles. Now, what really happens I don't know. Do they really seat in or do you just get used to it?

All of the brackets also have compromises, some with cornering clearances or problems with jacks and such as well as hooking into the transmission oil pan which I don't like. The Sta-Bos are the purest solution ot the problem, but the vibration issue needs to be addressed.

In general, I would believe that all of these items, brackets and bushings, will increase vibration. I don't see how they can do their job without transfering more vibration to the frame. You're eliminating some of the damping the rubber mounts provide which means more vibration get to the rider.

Everything I've done to improve the suspension on the bike has meant more 'feel' and less of that big cushy Buick ride. The bike is much closer to sports car handling than it ever was. Now, I can run over a quarter and tell you if it was heads or tails.  

[Chief]

Thanks for the great post. Lots of good info. By the way, what's up with flipping us the "finger" in reply 2? I thought we was all brother and sisters? LOL
JW

I had to take that picture three times to get it just right for y'all. It all started last year with Hoist and "Shrimp and Grits". Whenever we found "Shrimp and Grits" ona menu, a picture was taken pointing it out with a selective middle finger.

I was wondering when someone would comment on that.

[Chief]

Chuck,
Thanks for the information/breakdown of this area.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Unlike your rear end, mine has no titanium.

[Fired00d]

Unlike your rear end, mine has no titanium.

Nor stitches for the installation.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[ultrafxr]

Chuck, thanks so much for the lesson and the photos.  I've had my True Track installed since under 1k on my bike and truly could not and still cannot tell of any vibration at all.  Was not aware of the Sta-Bos at that time but still very satisfied with my TT.  Interested to see how you like the Sta-Bos when you get 'er on the road.

[Gecko]

Is the bushing installation a "Step A: remove swing arm" opperation, or is it done from the outside ends of the mounts?

[Chief]

Is the bushing installation a "Step A: remove swing arm" opperation, or is it done from the outside ends of the mounts?

No swingarm removal required. The swingarm mounting plates are removed, the bushings slipped in and the plate is replaced. If you don't have to get into removing the right-side muffler, it's probably a 10 minute job on each side. For the right side I understand you can swing the plate out of the way without having to remove the pipe which makes that side easier.

Good luck.

[porthole]

it's probably a 10 minute job on each side.

Are the holes in the bushings offset or is it just the picture (reply # 12)?

[porthole]

I realize I am putting myself in a position of possibly having to eat crow when this all goes back together and things don't work out as I hope.

Since Chuck did such a good job here, and caused some grief for some of us, I think that he should compensate all of us who have installed the Ride Str8 or Tru Track.

If we take some off for depreciation and average out the cost between the TT and RS at $300, less the $100 for the Sta-Bo's that means Chuck owes us each about $200.

And in all fairness, all though that benefit from his insight and go straight to the Sta-Bo will owe him $200. 

Chuck - PM me for my address