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[SOCAL296]

2015 CVO Limited with almost 15k on Odom. At about 13k I had to replace the front tire due to nail. After replacement I noticed a slight decal wobble from about 35mph to 25mph. It wasn't uncontrollable but noticeable. If I released one hand from the bars you could see it shake. No issues above or below that speed and only felt on decal. I had my tech ride it and he also noticed it. The rear tire was close to replacement time so we waited until I replaced the rear before doing a complete check. once the rear tire was replaced it continued so they removed the front tire and rebalanced it. That was not the cure so the next step was to check the steering head. They reset the specs to the tighter side and of the specs and it seemed to cure the issue, but now the decal wobble has returned. Decel 35 to 30 mph then it smooths out.
I've set cruise at 32 mph and let go of the bars with no wobble. this occurs on Decel only. Any thought? my front tire pressure is at 36psi and rear is 40. I am thinking it may be a bad tire

[TN]

I say neck bearings is the problem, could be front tire. The pros ought to be able to diagnose it. HD shop doing the work??

good luck


TN

[FLSTFI Dave]

I would check tire pressure first, if that is good, then its most likely in the neck bearing.

Neck bearing is a common issue with road glides, they adjust it to the wrong spec.

[Twolanerider]

Several years ago I chased something similar on a Road King.  As best I can remember it was something like this:

Put on a new front tire and had a decel wobble at about the same speed you did.  Don't remember exactly but it was similar and only on decel.  Was sure it was a balance problem.  Balanced and rebalanced it three or four times.  Never made any difference.  Checked and adjusted the neck.  No difference.  Checked over everything else one might imagine.  Nothing ever made a difference. 

Never visually saw, felt, or experienced any other issue with the tire.  Then at about 4000 miles on that tire something slipped in its carcass and it suddenly had a bulge in the sidewall.  Replaced the tire and the slight problem on decel went away with the tire.  Some tire glitch all along.  Not saying you've got the same thing.  But that's the closest experience I can share.

[brassspike]

It was the neck bearing on my street glide. Dealer said the bearing was to spec. They tightened it for me just to shut me up. Wibble wobble went away!  ....and I shut up!

[JCZ]

It could be the neck bearing races weren't seated properly at the factory.  So, as you ride it they seat (drop down) just every so slightly.....enough to cause your wobble.  Then they adjust the fall away (neck bearings) to spec again and it works for awhile until the bearing races seat (drop down) a little more and then the wobble is back. 

A real PITA until the bearing races are finally seated all the way and the fall away is adjusted for the last time. 

You might also check to make sure there's grease in the neck, also.

[grc]

If the problem became evident immediately after installing the new tire, and wasn't evident immediately before installing that tire, the odds are very high that your problem is related to the tire replacement, not the neck bearings or anything else with the bike.  I'm not sure why so many "techs" and others always search for something new and ignore the obvious.  If something suddenly starts acting differently, the first thing to check is the most recent change you made.  It's not always that item, but in most cases it is.

Jerry

[Twolanerider]

If the problem became evident immediately after installing the new tire, and wasn't evident immediately before installing that tire, the odds are very high that your problem is related to the tire replacement, not the neck bearings or anything else with the bike.  I'm not sure why so many "techs" and others always search for something new and ignore the obvious.  If something suddenly starts acting differently, the first thing to check is the most recent change you made.  It's not always that item, but in most cases it is.

Jerry

No matter how many times this comes up it's a lesson that is worth repeating.  If something new, unusual or unexpected starts happening immediately or shortly after some work has been done just assume the issue has something to do with that work.  True coincidences are rare.  If we (or someone we pay) messes with something and there's immediately some issue that can be in any way related to that work or new parts expect the problem to be there.

[smkymtnboy]

 

No matter how many times this comes up it's a lesson that is worth repeating.  If something new, unusual or unexpected starts happening immediately or shortly after some work has been done just assume the issue has something to do with that work.  True coincidences are rare.  If we (or someone we pay) messes with something and there's immediately some issue that can be in any way related to that work or new parts expect the problem to be there.

[washaw]

I have also experienced this problem. My 2014 Limited experienced it and now my 2015 CVO Limited has it also. It seems to get worst as the tire wears. It got bad enough I also had the dealer tighten the steering bearings to the tight end of the spec. I had to twist their arm, they said it was within spec. It was immediately better and mostly gone. But now the front tire has over 15,000 miles and the issue is back. I expect with a new tire it will be gone for a while. The steering head bearings need to be on the tight end of the spec or a bit more. There does not seem to be an accurate way to gauge the bearing adjustment, it is a bit of an art. 

[AMEDD_SFC]

I had the same problem right after a REAR tire replacement.  Obviously something done during the tire replacement.  Who knows what those tech do.  Anyway neck bearing adjustment and the problem went away.  My first question was "how in the heck did the tech not notice it on the check ride"  or did they and just hoped I would be too stupid to say anything.

I am so done with HD dealerships.  I was driving 30 miles to avoid the one by my house and now, after the natural turnover, this dealership isn't worth the trouble either.  Fortunately found an indy real near the house that is substantially more affordable.

Rant over.

Cheers,

Mark

[RonandJanet]

My experience is exactly as Jerry stated. If something starts after I did a change almost always it is what I did. As stated not 100% but most of the time that is the culprit! Just my 2 cents.

[TN]

when my 08 TR had this symptom I took in to the local dealer and told them to tighten up neck bearings. They did fall away and said the neck bearings were good to go. They proceeded to change front tire out, same problem. Started looking at brake rotors and such. They called tech support and they said I shouldn't be riding with hands off bars. 

My initial complaint was when deaccelerating at low speeds (40-30) wobble with hands off bars. I choose do work on my own rides now.


TN

[Rooster]

I once had same experience with a wobble at about 45mph. Had the tire rebalanced and reinstalled, still had wobble. Took it to another dealer and asked them to check if tire was defective. Came back and said you are right there is an imperfection on the tire. Replaced with another tire same brand and size problem gone. Just another idea. Hope you get it figured out.

[TN]

I once had same experience with a wobble at about 45mph. Had the tire rebalanced and reinstalled, still had wobble. Took it to another dealer and asked them to check if tire was defective. Came back and said you are right there is an imperfection on the tire. Replaced with another tire same brand and size problem gone. Just another idea. Hope you get it figured out.

sometimes it's just that easy.