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Author Topic: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?  (Read 5482 times)

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moto4sho

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So I've been getting a pretty nasty back to front wobble in high speed sweepers 60mph + which I have read is a known issue. My 2005 Road King Classic is solid as a rock in the corners so I am guessing it must be the higher center of gravity on the Ultra. I run my shocks between 35 -50psi depending on the load, I've replaced the tires to Michellin Commander II's (which are awesome btw), checked the tightness of the head bearing etc. After a trip to the Ozarks carrying my wife 120lbs plus 70lbs of cargo I noticed the wobble was gone but as soon as I remove the cargo it comes right back. Makes me think its more the rear shocks than the front forks.

I decided to install the True-Track $400 which was a waste of money and didn't make any noticeable difference with the wobble. I'm at a point where I want to do some performance mods to the bike but I just can't feel good about adding more HP when I'm outriding the suspension with the HP I have now. Has anyone really solved the wobble issue and if so what did you do? I'm looking at the suspension replacements by Legend /in[flh-touring]]http://www.legendsuspensions.com/products/select[all-products]/in[flh-touring] .

I would rather not spend a ton of dough on new suspension if I can find a cheaper way to smooth things out in the sweepers. BTW its a 2012 Ultra CVO.

« Last Edit: January 15, 2016, 10:44:06 AM by moto4sho »
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VaEagle

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2016, 11:07:58 AM »

I can't answer for the wobble issue but can say if you replace the stock shocks and front suspension (I would recommend doing both at same time) you will see how poor the stock suspension is......you may want to spend some time reading the section on suspension and decide for yourself what brand or type to use, everyone has their favorites from Suspension Technologies USA, Ohlins etc.........
Good luck with your search and efforts to cure the problem.
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Fired00d

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2016, 12:07:20 PM »

I replaced my rear shocks, replaced swing arm bushings, and added a Tru-Track and it eliminated the wobble for me. Also had the neck bearings checked/adjusted during the install. Not sure which individual upgrade/adjustment took care of the problem or was it the combination of all of them. :nixweiss: BTW - I'm on an older bike (pre-'09 frame).

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moto4sho

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2016, 12:00:03 PM »

Thanks for the replies, I have to bite my lip and not spew the hate toward HDMC for charging so much for a bike with such a fundamental flaw.  :furious3:
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rheiner

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2016, 01:49:42 PM »

Since it's a late model with the newer frame ('09 and newer) the last thing I would have done is install a Tru-Track. Unfortunately with a wobble it is difficult to pin point to one problem. This is not a known persistent issue like, for example, the SE compensator. The likely cause (in numerical order) I would look at is:

Bad tire(s) or out of balance tire/wheel
improper adjustment of steering head (fall away)
wheel bearings (front wheel, rear wheel, rear wheel sprocket)
rubber motor mounts front
worn steering head bearings/cup
swing arm bearings and bushings (the bushings that are pressed into the bearings)
swing arm rubber mounts
defective shock or front forks that need serviced
worn rear sprocket rubber isolator
defective wheels
improper torque of critical fasteners
worn stabilizer link
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Rooster

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2016, 03:25:43 PM »

So all the talk about the new frame not having the wobble problem anymore is now false :nixweiss:
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MIKEYTEE

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2016, 09:39:10 PM »

Mine is a 1999 and the Tru-Track fixed the problem. But it is different than yours.
Mike
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dayne66

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2016, 09:41:07 PM »

Mine is a 1999 and the Tru-Track fixed the problem. But it is different than yours.
Mike
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Sold mine(pre '09) to a site member and he had good results. I had it on an '08 with good results as well.
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bakon

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2016, 10:19:28 PM »

Tru trax cured my 2006. Like on rails. Second bike with new frame and rides just as good in twisties. Thinking you got a problem that is on list above also. I also always use Dunlop and  no issues.
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moto4sho

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2016, 10:56:05 AM »

I wanted to share something that significantly helped smooth out the wobble. Keep in mind that I already had changed to Commander II tires, checked head bearing, installed true track, etc etc. I weigh in at 230 and usually ride 2 up so 350lbs and the manual calls for 50psi in the rear shock. I had been using my air compressor to adjust my rear shock. I would reduce the line pressure to 50psi and fill the rear shock. I knew I was getting some loss when removing the air nozzle from the valve stem, maybe 5psi of loss. I broke down and bought a zero loss hand pump and put exactly 50psi in the rear shock with "zero loss", holy crap it made a huge difference in the front to back bounce/wobble I was getting in the corners.

I may still end up re-springing the front forks but I wish I had bought this damn zero loss pump a year ago.  :2vrolijk_21:
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CVODON

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2016, 09:33:19 PM »

I've owned two of the new frames, a 09 & a 15. NO WOBBLE of any sort, Both rock steady. Not sure why anyone would put a Tru-trac on a newer model frame, but to each his own.
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TJAH

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2016, 09:47:05 PM »

I've owned two of the new frames, a 09 & a 15. NO WOBBLE of any sort, Both rock steady. Not sure why anyone would put a Tru-trac on a newer model frame, but to each his own.

Good for you.
My 2011 frame wobbled bad at 120 mph.
It's BS that the new frame is immune to wobbling.
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Unbalanced

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2016, 12:47:12 AM »

Had a wobble couldnt find the cause, turned out to be a wheel out of round.   Might pull the tires and check the rims.   then check the tires on the rims.    Had gone to the limit of replacing all heim joints, neck bearings, motor mounts, bushings (swingarm and handle bars) etc.   turned out that the front rim had to be replaced.   
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FlaHeatWave

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Re: Installed a True Track but still got the wobble. Suspension Upgrade?
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2016, 02:35:40 PM »

Good for you.
My 2011 frame wobbled bad at 120 mph.
It's BS that the new frame is immune to wobbling.
Nothing is "immune" to anything. I have had the '05 SEEG & '09 SERG on the pin in the hi-speed sweepers out West, both stable as a brick. Even with no hands / CC set around 90 or so, 0 drama... so to me something isn't right, probably one or more of the issues listed by Unbalanced.
Unbalanced is the first one that I have seen post about the front rim being out of true, but it makes the most sense of all, Plus it's one of the easiest to check...
To the OP, after all the suggestions posted above have been verified and you still have the wobble, I suggest firming up the front end with the Harley premium cartridges, Progressive monotube, Ohlins or some other premium upgrade of your liking..
Most folks want to look at the rear shocks and neglect the front forks which are IMHO real culprit. Take notice of the vast handling improvements of the Rushmore bikes, the MoCo addressed the front forks and pretty much left the rear shocks alone...
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