Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[mr_magoo]

I'll put this here since I don't know what is causing it yet.   On decell at about 30mph if you take your hands off the bars the front end wobbles all over till the bike slows to about 25mph.  Haven't seen it at any other speeds.  Running Dunlop Elite III's aired to 40psi.  Anybody got any ideas??

[VANAMAL]

i had the same thing on my old bike exactly. i had the wheel checked and replaced the front tire and it was fine .i asked them to balance it real good too

[Twolanerider]

Have to think there aren't that many options to cause behavior you describe Dave.  Tire issue, wheel issue or neck issue?  If it's not immediately discernable to your shop at least they'll only have a few options to turkey-shoot.

[BLM777]

You may want to check the neck lube early on in the process.  My '04 did the same thing.  I thought I would grease the neck as the first step prior to checking the wheels and tires.  Bike was apparently shipped from the factory with no lube as it took nearly 3/4 tube of the HD grease before it was filled to overflow on the top and bottom of the cavity.

[Talon]

I had the same problem with my old V65 once, at the same speed, turned out to be a bad tire. Not saying you have a bad tire.

[guppytrash]

OK I know I will be hammered for this, but this may just fix it' I have used this technique on  four different Harleys with great success.  Use it at your own risk.
 
Loosen the pinch bolts on the front axle and then hold the front brake while you sit on the bike pump the front forks to the compressed position as much as you can.  (You may even hear a pop from the forks re-aligning)  If you are comfortable with this you can use the motor to compress the frontend.  Just hold the front brake and slip the clutch to compress your forks.

BE CAREFUL!!!

What this does is line up the forks on the axle.  Now re-tighten the pinch bolts to factory torque.
Ride your bike and I bet your wobble is gone or at least much less depending on how much tire wear you have.  

Use at your own risk.  A couple of buds had same problem with a pair of fatboy's after the HD shop had removed their front tires.  I did this for their bike's as well as my old road king.  
It works.
This is a motocross bike technique, it is NOT an HD procedure but I was frustrated with the same problem on my Road King in 2000 tried it and it fixed it completely.  Thousands of miles later and never a problem.

 

[ultrafxr]

You may want to check the neck lube early on in the process.  My '04 did the same thing.  I thought I would grease the neck as the first step prior to checking the wheels and tires.  Bike was apparently shipped from the factory with no lube as it took nearly 3/4 tube of the HD grease before it was filled to overflow on the top and bottom of the cavity.

That is normal.  Factory only greases the bearings themselves.  First time you lube them you're filling us the cavity inside the steering stem so usually takes a full tube.

[DCFIREMANN]

HEAD BEARING!!!!!!

Check the head bearing. They do wear and the grease will not tighten it up. Once you tighten it up then regrease the neck.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[Gone Fishin']

There can be many different reasons for the behavior you describe. Personally and from past experience with E-Glides, I think it might be the tire, as most have said. But before changing the tire, I'd probably try the solution offered by guppytrash. It is quite easy to do, and you'll know the results in a couple of minutes. You can always buy a new tire afterwards, right?

Ride safely, and let us know the solution.

Louis

[Screamin]

FWIW - I always start w/ the cheapest "fix" first.

[mr_magoo]

Do adjust my own head bearings, but without feeling the bearing it hard to know if it's tight or loose.  Did grease the bearings and didn't see a difference, I think it's the tire, am going to take it in tomorrow to have the heated grips replaced again and they are going to look at it..

[guppytrash]

Do adjust my own head bearings, but without feeling the bearing it hard to know if it's tight or loose.  Did grease the bearings and didn't see a difference, I think it's the tire, am going to take it in tomorrow to have the heated grips replaced again and they are going to look at it..

If you adjust your own head bearings this is a no brainer for you.  Four pinch bolts loose.  Compress forks so they align on axle.  Tighten axle pinch bolts.  Ride your wobble free bike.
As you know many possibilities to your problem, this is an easy try and it may work.
In addition if you have chrome axle end covers you may want to loosen them so the forks can adjust in or out on the axle freely. 
I have used this on 4 bikes with 4 success stories.  But they had all had the front tire removed for one reason or another.  If this just started on its own it most likely will not help you

[mr_magoo]

It's eay to do puppytrash i'll give it a try when I get home.

[BIGDOG]

My first thought is tire or wheel , then bearings in neck worn or not torqued proporly.

[bigdave110]

Mine does it also, since day 1.
Will wait till new tire, at 10,000 now.
Will be replacing tire pretty soon.
Funny thing is that tire is wearing great.  HUH
I like the fork Idea, seen a few moto guys do it after replacing a rim.
May give it a try, just for chits and grins.
Just wanted you to know, your not alone.
Dave