Kawasaki 500 twin vibration

[James]

Howdy doody all. I recently bought a Kawasaki KLE500 twin cylinder bike and I'm chuffed to bits with it. The only concern I have with it is the vibration it kicks out around 3-4000rpm. Below that and above that it is the smoothest thing known to man but I was just wondering if something is wrong causing this?

All mountings etc are tight its definitely in the engine. I believe this engine is also used in the old GPZ's. Anyone got any experience of it?

Also just to add it seems to do well over 60mpg which im impressed with
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Like shit off a stick

[Paddy Blake]

I think it is normal.The cb 500 is like that as there is no power before 3k
and as it starts to get going it is a bit of a tumper.

Paddy.

[stinkwheel]

Where you feeling it?

If it's in the bars, you might want to consider fiotting heavier bar end weights to alter their resonant frequency.

If it's done a few miles, balancing the carbs will often both reduce the vibration and quieten down the engine rattle.

Also consider loosening the engine mounting bolts then jacking up under the engine with a car jack and nipping the bolts up again. Just moves the position of the engine in the frame very slightly which again alters the resonant frequency.

I'd also suggest revving it harder, 3-4k is pretty much trickling about, the redline's up over 10k, in the KLE state of tune will quite happily sit at 6k all day long. It's not like a car, the redline isn't a mark which you never go near. If you try to open the throttle at 3000revs to pull away it will probably be quite snatchy, It's fine for cruising at a steady speed but I'd quite happily change down two gears from there for a clean getaway.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[James]