Should it be so buzzy?

[gbw]

Well...today I'm over my quota for questions but hope I'm not wearing out my welcome.

My 77 GS750 is very buzzy and I wonder if it is normal. Any comments or suggestions?

In the last few weeks I've ridden from Chicago to BC and back and to Elkhart Lake WI and back. Both good long trips in my book. About 1000 miles total for both rides.

The only negative thing about these long trips on this bike is that it is VERY buzzy. The worst is extended high speed riding like on the highway. I feel it in the bars (have to work hard to keep my hands awake), the pegs, the seat, and the tank. At some point I wondered if the fillings in my teeth would wiggle loose. Also, my left eyeball twitched for two days after each ride.

Now don't get me wrong. I had a blast on both rides, but they took a lot out of me. After the 390 mile, 11.5 hour ride on Sunday I pretty much collapsed until Monday.

Is there anything I can do to smooth it out a little?

Appreciate any suggestions or advise.

Thanks,
gbw

[mighty13d]

Valve clearances?

[Dogma]

Valve clearances?

I hear unbalanced carbs do that too.

[8trackmind]

Not sure if you're running 'em, but make sure to set the points too. If their not set correctly, it'll buzz something awful.

FWIW, I did 440 miles of slab in seven hours on the way back from Brown County. Gas and go the whole way. I was not "buzzing".

[simon kuether]

I BUZZZZZZ every time I get on my GS.My eyes twitch and carry on as well,but that's got nothing to do with the bike.Cheers,Simon.:-D:-D:-D

[TheCafeKid]

Carb sync and balance will do much to displace the "buzz". And as Jeff said, the points as well, if you are running them. Another suggestion, once those are taken care of, is some bar end weights. I have them on the 1100G thanks to Brett, and on my 750 and other bikes, my hands would often fall asleep, balanced carbs and proper ignition timing and everything, they just simply would fall asleep. The bar end weights, and mind you the 1100G is supposedly one of the most succeptable GS's to the "buzz" seem to go along way toward dulling the buzz. If you REALLY REALLY want to get rid of alot of it, you might try a bar snake as well. Its basicly a substance that goes into the inside of the bars, acting as a baffle to help eliminate vibration. Also, larger diameter grips can help with the hands falling asleep thing, and a throttle lock ( man i LOVE mine) is great too. It alows you to relax your throttle hand without dropping power. Not so much a "cruise controll" tho it functions pretty much like one on flat roads. I put over 1000 miles on my 1100G over the past weekend, and between the throttle lock, and the bar end weights, my hands didnt fall asleep once. You can also try to make a concious effort to alternately relax your grip on the bars a bit if you are cruising long distance. Over this weekend, the most miles ive ever done in one shot, I learned quite a few ways to increase my saddle time and help to eliminate fatigue in the saddle. Another suggestion, often times you can help eliminate your hands falling asleep by adjusting your posture in the saddle. Sit up a bit straighter for a bit, with nice straight shoulders, wrists as straight as possible, elbows at 90degrees but relaxed. Adjusting your posture helps not only with the rear end, but also with the arm, hand, and shoulder fatigue as well. Just some various suggestions based on some things I tried over the weekend. But at the end of the day, they are motorcycles, and especially with out oldie by goodie UJMs, a bit of buzz comes with the territory.

[twr1776]

Check your motor mounting bolts.

[gbw]

Thanks for all the suggestions

a few comments:

Valve clearances?

I did this a few thousand miles ago for the first time but have had it in my mind to check them again. Might do that tomorrow while it is raining here.

I hear unbalanced carbs do that too.

I also balanced the carbs a few thousand miles ago, but think I will check it when I check the valves.

...make sure to set the points...

PO installed electronic ignition

...I did 440 miles of slab in seven hours on the way back from Brown County. Gas and go the whole way. I was not "buzzing".

See...that's what I want to be able to do. That sounds great.

Another suggestion...is some bar end weights...and a throttle lock

I've been thinking about these. Once I get everything else taken care of I might look into weights and lock of some kind.

You can also try to make a concious effort to alternately relax your grip...adjusting your posture in the saddle... .

Thanks for all the great suggestions and details. I'm going to try these.

...a bit of buzz comes with the territory.

That's what I figure. I just wonder if I'm on the upper end of the buzz scale.

Looks like with all this info and a little time over the next couple of days I might be able to reduce the buzz a little.