I would guess that the front wheel is not all the way seated in the left fork.

 

Visually everything looked ok. The vibration seems to come from under the middle of the bike. Could the left fork issue cause that?

 

Yes, did you spin the wheel before you took it off the lift to see if it rotated freely?

 

It rotated freely prior to putting the brake calipers back on; once I put the calipers on there was a slight drag that I figured was due to the brake pads slightly rubbing against the rotors.

So I guess I need to undo the front wheel and start again.

 

It rotated freely prior to putting the brake calipers back on; once I put the calipers on there was a slight drag that I figured was due to the brake pads slightly rubbing against the rotors.

So I guess I need to undo the front wheel and start again.

Here, give this a read..............................
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.p ... nt#1679227

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Check to make sure you put the spacers on the correct side of the front tire. I put them on wrong the first time and the rotor scrapes against the fender mount if the spacers are on wrong producing that grinding noise.

 

Try looseing the pinch bolts in both front forks and sit on bike and flex suspesion and few times by hold front brakes on, rock it hard while holding brake lever,then tighten pinch bolts, also look at front axle to see if it,s seated flush or just little inside of left fork...good luck.

 

Hey NCGVTX, make sure the calipers have enough clearance from the rotors....there is a low cicular "tit" on the inside of the rotors about 1/3 down from the top that will rub on the inside of the rotor(s) if the wheel is not centered. Be sure to seat the axle shaft flush with the fork on the clutch side. I have heard that often dealers change tires and not position the wheel in the center of the forks and cause a rubbing (grinding) noise. If you look at the caliper from the front with a flash light you can probably see the spot it may be rubbing. How do I know this...had the same problem with not centering the axle when I remounted the wheel after a tire change....left the non bolt (clutch) side of the axle out to far rather tha flush with the lower fork....it only takes a little. Hope this helps, Bisley

 

My 2 Cents:

1) the wheel spacers are different size and must be on the correct side for the size.

2) I did this once on my sportster after changing the tire,... when I slid the wheel back in, the brake rotor went in on the wrong side of the brakes, i.e. -- the rotor was between the brake pads and the caliper (both pads on one side of rotor) Hard to believe, but true. It only made noise when I applied the brakes.

Good luck!