Is my bike working too hard

I just started commuting on the bike and my drive is about 30 miles, 22 on the highway. When I am on the highway, the engine is at 5000 - 5500 RPM for the whole trip. Is that OK for the engine? Also, I will be taking some longer rides (long for me anyway...300-500 miles) this summer. Is it OK to run the bike at those RPM levels for a days ride?

 

its completely fine to run these engines at that rpm its right in the 52-58% of the rpm range for these bikes. i wouldnt worry about i take my bike on 35 to 40 min interstate stints to school and back, it handles it like its nothing at 71mph of course mines at 4500-5000 rpm(larger diameter back wheel).

These bikes where enginnered 27-28 years ago they have stood the test of time and that is a testiment to the yamaha enginnering dept., they built these bikes knowing people would be on highways and interstates, and running these bikes hard at other times.

 

Good point about these bikes standing the test of time. I guess the reason I was concerned is that around 4800 - 5000 RPMs there bike has a significant vibration. I guess the bike is resonate at that rate for some reason. Interestingly, the level at which the vibration starts and stops dropped about 200 RPM when I put the windshield on.

 

I ride my XJ550 to work and back, 63 miles one way. About 25 miles is 45-55 mph country roads; the rest is Detroit I-94 freeway rush hour traffic at 70-85mph. I get on the freeway, wind it up and park it in the left lane at 78mph all the way if traffic is rolling. IT NEVER BREAKS A SWEAT. Gawd I love that little motor. Remember, at the time these bikes were new, the biggest market was California. These bikes are geared to run Cali freeways at 80mph without issue, and they can.

I think that midrange vibration may be the motor mounts. My '81 has 20K on it and spent a lot of time on (ow!) gravel roads; it has the 5K buzz, not bad but it's there. My '83 has 7100 miles on it, and doesn't know the meaning of buzz. I've been over both bikes with a fine-toothed caliper; I'm going to eventually replace the motor mount bushings on the '81 and see. It would take three pages and 20 photos to try to explain my conclusion, so "I thnk" is as far as I'm willing to go right now. chacal stocks 'em if you want to find out for us...

 

I really appreciate the opportunity to be the guinea pig on the motor mounts, but I think I will defer to the experts on this site on that one

 

The 650 has an annoying buzz at around 5K RPM. Solution is to drive 70 so it's at 6KRPM :wink: .

 

I read the title to this post and thought you were asking if you needed to lose some wieght.
Is my bike working to hard?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Well...I could lose 50 lbs and still get a lecture from my doctor, so you weren't too far off :lol:

 

Aww, man... ok, then help us snag the next new guy that brings it up...

Actually doesn't appear to be that bad of a job, Yamaha long ago quit offering the rubber bushings but chacal stocks them so I'll get a round tuit eventually.

 

My 5000 Rpm Buzz is pretty bad, How much are these mounts Chacal? If I can afford them, I'll change them!

 

sign me up with a quote too chacal..... i have a 5k rpm vib i like to dampen.... i have been using etg29's work around

 

Try looking into getting the carbs synched and balance them. That could be the reason for the vibration. Rubber motor mounts would help too.

 

You need to manage the Buzz. I either go alittle faster or go alittle slower. Depends on traffic or conditions. Its a pain but thats the nature of these bikes. The 650 is alittle small for me and freeway use. I like my 750 or the 1100 for that. But nothing beats the 650 for getting around here in town. its lightweight and manouverablity is great. I can blip down the freeway for a few miles but it buzzes like you say.

 

I can vary speed to manage "The Buzz" as long as the bike can handle pulling me down the highway at 5500 RPM for a while without hurting anything.

 

I've noticed when riding mine, the tach never gets very high or even near the red-line mark. Now that I bobbed it and don't run with a tach anymore, I'm never doncerned about over reving the motor. These motors are made to rev, it's just the nature of the beast. That's how they develop their power. Sceamin' meemies are what they are.

 

I don't know about the other bikes, but my 81 750 seca's motor mounts are part of / welded to the frame. They can't really be changed, short of cutting them off and welding new ones on. :-/ As I understand it, those little rubber 'wedges' in the engine are apparently to help dampen some of the vibrations or some such.... most of mine fell out and are long gone though. :-/