Buzz Kill with VIBRANATOR

[posplayr]

I saw a letter to the editors of Cycle World for a new type of bar end weight. The device is really more than just a bar end weight it uses a Helicopter technology to cancel variations by creating an out of phase motion to that of the bikes vibration .

http://www.vibranator.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=23

No experience with it, 7/8" bar versions are $69.95

Greatly reduces handlebar vibration throughout the RPM range. Allowing for less fatigue, arm pump and increased comfort.

Easy to install. Secured to the ID of the handlebar, the mass is mounted on a spring that is directly mounted inside the handlebar end.

It works by responding to the high frequency energy (buzz) by oscillating out of phase (storing the energy and releasing it back to the bar at the right time), thus canceling the vibration/ buzz. This is different and much more efficient from all other methods that attempt to dampen and absorb the energy.

The Vibranator uses the same principles as some high end helicopters use to reduce or eliminate secondary vibrations.

Anybody use em?


Some reviews/discussion

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=756666

http://www.sacridersforum.com/showthread.php?t=826

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=474298

http://www.thunderpress.net/MONTH_ARTICLE-pdfs/2009/1109/Vibranatorrevi/Vibranatorrevi.shtml

More Negative review: Interesting that the first time I see a review that someone tries to do a scientific analysis they come to the counter conclusion to almost all other positive reviews. Is this what they call "weird science"?

Wait a minute, this was actually a purely empirical assessment with essentially no understanding of theory.

http://www.ducatispot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19818


Theoretically it should work best for standard bars than on clip ons, and that seems to that cruisers need em more than sport bike riders .

 

[posplayr]

This has an explaination that is actually pretty good:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=37340.15

NERDPORN:

The Vibranator is a very efficient tuned mass damper tuned for the resonant frequencies of motorcycle handlebars.

The vibration induced involuntary muscle firing that causes numbness and tingling is the result the nervous system's defense mechanism that responds to a dominant consistent vibration frequency, the resonant frequency of the handlebar.

Tuned mass dampers interrupt and cancel the harmonic resonance so the vibration amplitude is radically reduced.

There are tuned mass dampers that use rubber as a spring. IMO, they are not as efficient as ones that use a metal spring. The rubber spring absorbs energy in both directions that should be used to exploit the oscillating mass better. The Vibranator uses hard rubber that is tightened/preloaded for mounting purposes. The mass is suspended by the metal spring and is allowed to move freely.

The end result is extreme hand pain relief and perception of a higher quality motorcycle. If your steering wheel buzzed in your car when it was new, your perception would be that it's not made well. That's why well built cars have many tuned mass dampers in them.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuned_mass_damper
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonic_vibration_reflex

 

[Griffin]

Vibranator, eh? Sounds like a product Kelly McGillis might use...

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=1265260#post1265260

 

[Nessism]

Golf club shaft mfgers have used various similar methods to quel vibrations. The basic idea is to hang a weight of some sort inside the tube, supended by some springy material. I've also read about people filling the bars with loosely packed lead shot which would perform a similar function, but would add a fair bit of weight and might make noise. Cramming a plug into the bars about 6" up first might help since I don't think it will do any good to have the center section filled with dead weight.

 

[kirkn]

Golf club shaft mfgers have used various similar methods to quel vibrations. The basic idea is to hang a weight of some sort inside the tube, supended by some springy material. I've also read about people filling the bars with loosely packed lead shot which would perform a similar function, but would add a fair bit of weight and might make noise. Cramming a plug into the bars about 6" up first might help since I don't think it will do any good to have the center section filled with dead weight.

I don't have any comments on the Vibranator, but I DID fill a bike's bar ends with melted lead one time, just as a kind of experiment.

I had a Honda FT500, which is a 500cc single-cylinder street bike. The motor had dual chain-driven counterbalancers, but the bar vibes were still pretty bad at 65mph and above.

I removed the stock bar, stuffed a rubber plug into the bar ends all the way in until it 'stuck' in the first bend. Then, I melted large lead fishing sinkers and poured the liquid lead into the bar ends. It took four 4-oz weights to fill each bar end. This filled the outer ~8" of each end of the bar. That's 1 pound for each side. Not bad at all, really.

And, it worked GREAT. It completely damped out whatever vibes were left. Much smoother. And, I put 8 ~ 10k more miles on that bike and had no long-term damage show up (cracks or failed bars, etc.). IMHO, I'd call that a very successful, inexpensive fix to bar vibes.

Kirk

 

[posplayr]

This is a bit brute force but I'm sure effective. What does it take to melt those lead weights? What is the heat source; I dont have a propane torch but do have mapp gas .

 

[blowerbike]

i had read years ago about using sti-ro-fome peanuts to fill the handles bars.
i never tried it as i am kinda partial to the hi frequency buzz.

 

[Darkstang]

I filled mine with number 9 shot from my shotgun reloading stuff. 4,000 miles and no problems. It did dampen the vibes at roadspeed. My wrist no longer goes numb.
Ken

 

[Skateguy50]

I filled mine with number 9 shot from my shotgun reloading stuff. 4,000 miles and no problems. It did dampen the vibes at roadspeed. My wrist no longer goes numb.
Ken

Just need to get some black powder in the middle and a fuse in case some cage cuts into your lane, who needs a horn when your bars double as a shotgun.

 

[kirkn]

I used an oxy-acetylene torch to melt the weights, but that was not necessary. Mapp gas will work fine, too.

I've read many positive results over the years re: using loose shot. I just wanted to try the solid lead.

I've also read many positive results using RTV silicone for filling the end of the bar. Also, the expanding foam you can get in aerosol cans at Home Depot.

I wonder about 'Gorilla Glue', too. It really expands as it dries. I wonder if it would do that same expansion deal in a bar, or would it just stay liquid like in the bottle? And would it work as a liquid?

Hmmm......

 

[Skateguy50]

Well the gorilla glue activates with water, so if you dampen the bars then poured some it it would dry for sure. and yea it expands pretty good but not a ton. Would need to plug it at some level first like you did with the lead.

I had some bar weights that came with mine that I could not tell the diff with or without, dont use them now.

 

[koolaid_kid]

On my KZ750E, which was a real buzz master, I took a vinyl tube that would fit in the bars. I filled it with silicone, let it dry, cut it in half, then shoved it down each side of the bars. It helped quite a bit and was very cost effective.