Topic: Decel Wobble on my 2010 FLHTCU (Read 6426 times)

Robmay · « **on:** September 08, 2009, 05:37:56 PM »

Forgive me if this has been hashed here before. I did a search and could not come up with anything concrete. Recently I purchased a 2010 Ultra Classic. I have a wobble that mainly happens on deceleration. It also can happen when slowing with the clutch pulled in and free coasting so to speak. I am hoping this is just a tire issue. I had the engine upgraded to a 103. It did it before with the stock engine and still with the upgrade. I just returned from a 1500 mile trip to the mountains of NC and it didn't get any worse or any better. It does not do it on every decel. I would say 40-50% of the time or a little more.

Any thoughts?

Dan_Lockwood · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2009, 05:46:15 PM »

Quote from: Robmay on September 08, 2009, 05:37:56 PM

Forgive me if this has been hashed here before. I did a search and could not come up with anything concrete. Recently I purchased a 2010 Ultra Classic. I have a wobble that mainly happens on deceleration. It also can happen when slowing with the clutch pulled in and free coasting so to speak. I am hoping this is just a tire issue. I had the engine upgraded to a 103. It did it before with the stock engine and still with the upgrade. I just returned from a 1500 mile trip to the mountains of NC and it didn't get any worse or any better. It does not do it on every decel. I would say 40-50% of the time or a little more.

Any thoughts?

Some others have had this with the '09s and they say the steering head bearings were loose and after a proper setup at the dealership the decel wobble went away.

I just bought an '09 SERG and while I was adjusting my helmet one day riding solo, I took my hands off the bars for maybe 5 seconds at about 40 mph and the bike started to wobble. I have noticed on mine a very slight decel wobble too. I was going to get a few more miles on the bike and take it in for a steering head check.

I'm not sure but the manual says something about free falling from full lock in one direction back to neutral is like 2-1/2 flips of the bars. This of course is done while in the air for the frontend to flip from left to right without tension. The 2-1/2 flips may be off so check with a manual for the correct number of flips of the bars.

Good luck and don't let loose of the bars until you get it straightened out.

FNGw/08SERK · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2009, 09:31:15 PM »

+1 for checking steering head ....... I had same symptoms Rob and that is the culprit in my case FWIW Good Luck

Trapperdog · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2009, 09:49:34 PM »

Make sure the neck bearings were greased. Many a new bike has been delivered without grease. As Dan said, check the fall away, the manual will give you the correct specs.

Mr D · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2009, 09:53:18 PM »

Quote from: trapperdog on September 08, 2009, 09:49:34 PM

Make sure the neck bearings were greased. Many a new bike has been delivered without grease. As Dan said, check the fall away, the manual will give you the correct specs.

http://www.box.net/shared/tbyk3jqgho
click on link to open.....

Robmay · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2009, 06:23:10 PM »

Thanks a lot guys! Fixed the problem on my buddies 2008 CUSE by just greasing till the grease came out the bottom AND top. Haven't done mine yet as it has to go in for its final dyno tune soon and I will have them grease it with that super duper special double oh seven grease mentioned in the TSB!!

Rob

miker · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2009, 06:30:13 PM »

Frob, I found keeping the tire at bout +2 psi reduced it a bit too. It is the 408, the 407 had stupid coast down robble.

Texas 103 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2009, 06:46:21 PM »

Quote from: miker on September 10, 2009, 06:30:13 PM

Frob, I found keeping the tire at bout +2 psi reduced it a bit too. It is the 408, the 407 had stupid coast down robble.

Went from a 407 to a 408 Problem solved

Robmay · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2009, 07:01:35 PM »

WTF are ya'll talking about?

KarlG · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2009, 07:32:44 PM »

Quote from: Robmay on September 10, 2009, 07:01:35 PM

WTF are ya'll talking about?

They're talking about Dunlop Harley Tire model numbers, the 2010 uses a 408, new this year. The low speed wobble coming to a stop and difficulty holding a line through a curve is most frequently steering head related like the bearings, assuming the front end fall off is adjusted. The fall off adjusts the bearing preload, and should be checked first. The local HD shop will do nicely

Robmay · « **Reply #10 on:** September 12, 2009, 09:55:58 PM »

So I have a 408 AND the wobble......grease the bearing? Or what??

TN · « **Reply #11 on:** September 12, 2009, 10:50:41 PM »

i got a waddle.

TN

spydglide · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2009, 10:49:02 PM »

Quote from: Robmay on September 12, 2009, 09:55:58 PM

So I have a 408 AND the wobble......grease the bearing? Or what??

I'd sure start with that as the simplist thing and from personal experience, I've had that help a decel wobble. spyder

pado · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2009, 05:25:18 AM »

Had the same thing on my Heritage from riding in the mountains. Turned out to be my spokes were extremely loose. Tightened and OK.

Robmay · « **Reply #14 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:25:22 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on September 13, 2009, 10:49:02 PM

I'd sure start with that as the simplist thing and from personal experience, I've had that help a decel wobble. spyder

Quote from: miker on September 10, 2009, 06:30:13 PM

Frob, I found keeping the tire at bout +2 psi reduced it a bit too. It is the 408, the 407 had stupid coast down robble.

Okay. Greased the bearing. It only took 123 pumps of grease to get the grease to peek out of the bottom and top of the neck bearing.

The bike rode MUCH better. Before I was feeling every little bump and imperfection in the road. Now, much better. BUT.... on the way in this morning....wobble wobble at the first stop at the end of the road. So....I got to thinking of Miker's psi suggestion. Turns out the Snap On (Blue Point) air gauage I have at the house was off a bit. There was 31 psi in the front. So I jacked the pressure up to 40 in the front and took her for a cold spin. Seems fine. I'll know for sure in the morning on the way to work at the first stop sign.

I'll let ya know for sure.

Thanks for the input!!

Rob

miker · « **Reply #15 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:34:19 PM »

I is at 42(ish) psi frob...

baggerben · « **Reply #16 on:** September 21, 2009, 08:12:12 PM »

thanks for the info guys.
mine is from 40-30 mph

Robmay · « **Reply #17 on:** September 21, 2009, 08:26:52 PM »

The grease thing helped a lot but not completely. The air thing plays a big role. I took mine to 40 in the front and that seemed to solve most if not all of the challenge.

Thanks Miker!

rascal1007 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2009, 12:51:57 PM »

Quote from: Dan_Lockwood on September 08, 2009, 05:46:15 PM

Some others have had this with the '09s and they say the steering head bearings were loose and after a proper setup at the dealership the decel wobble went away.

I just bought an '09 SERG and while I was adjusting my helmet one day riding solo, I took my hands off the bars for maybe 5 seconds at about 40 mph and the bike started to wobble. I have noticed on mine a very slight decel wobble too. I was going to get a few more miles on the bike and take it in for a steering head check.

I'm not sure but the manual says something about free falling from full lock in one direction back to neutral is like 2-1/2 flips of the bars. This of course is done while in the air for the frontend to flip from left to right without tension. The 2-1/2 flips may be off so check with a manual for the correct number of flips of the bars.

Good luck and don't let loose of the bars until you get it straightened out.

My 09 SERG wobbled like crazy!!

Took it into the dealer for cupping tires and asked them to check the neck bearing adjustment. Service Manager just called and said mine went seven swings. Now adjusted to 2 swings which is Harley's suggested max for an FLTR. Minimum is one swing. Check out the link provided by Mr. D or review the attached service bulletin.

I'm anxious to get her on the road for a test !!

miker · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2009, 01:05:37 PM »

I have mine at 42 ish( the fron tire) ...but I am bigger the frobby...

Robmay · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2009, 08:13:49 PM »

They ended up replacing the tire. I had it in for the final tune on the 103 upgrade and the shop foreman said he felt the bumping before getting out of the parking lot. Between greasing the bearing, Raising the pressure and the new tire...cured. Just wanted to let ya know!

rascal1007 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2009, 08:19:26 PM »

Quote from: Robmay on October 01, 2009, 08:13:49 PM

They ended up replacing the tire. I had it in for the final tune on the 103 upgrade and the shop foreman said he felt the bumping before getting out of the parking lot. Between greasing the bearing, Raising the pressure and the new tire...cured. Just wanted to let ya know!

Did they check the neck bearing torque?

Diamondback · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:58:36 PM »

Steering head bearings on mine.

Robmay · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2009, 09:06:46 AM »

Quote from: rascal1007 on October 01, 2009, 08:19:26 PM

Did they check the neck bearing torque?

I don't think so. If that is the fall away, I am going to check that on my next oil change while its on the rack.

Dan_Lockwood · « **Reply #24 on:** October 06, 2009, 05:48:12 PM »

I printed out the bulletin posted here and while cleaning my SERG up on the mini lift, I tried the drop away swing test. Mine went just over four side to side swings, well over the recommended two swings per the bulletin on the FLTR.

I've had some minor issues with this so when I take the bike in for the oil leak I'll have them check this out as well. I just don't feel like doing this myself.

I think someone earlier said this, but isn't greasing the head bearings and doing the swing test part of dealer prep?

I know years ago when I was service manager for a Chevy / Pontiac dealership, we had quite a few cars in the early '80s that had the steering wheel slightly off center. The only adjustment for this is a partial alignment, so I ran them under warranty and had them rejected. The reason was that we were being paid by GM to do a "dealer prep" and this should be part of that prep, not warranty. The cars were also about 1 qt low on oil. When you fill up the oil this is also a prep item and not warranty. Can you imagine how many cars GM makes and if they were all 1 qt low on oil from the factory, how much money would that save GM?

Sorry again for rambling.

spydglide · « **Reply #25 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:52:14 PM »

Quote from: Dan_Lockwood on October 06, 2009, 05:48:12 PM

I think someone earlier said this, but isn't greasing the head bearings and doing the swing test part of dealer prep?

Can you imagine how many cars GM makes and if they were all 1 qt low on oil from the factory, how much money would that save GM?

Sorry again for rambling.

Oh, I don't think you're rambling. Right on the $$$ I'd say. I've seen lots of bikes that need a 'bunch' of grease in the neck to finally come out the top & bottem. Always handle better after that.

Har!

spyder

Author Topic: Decel Wobble on my 2010 FLHTCU (Read 6426 times)