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Author Topic: The dreaded wobble  (Read 3472 times)

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porthole

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The dreaded wobble
« on: April 20, 2009, 07:32:08 PM »

Well even with the new swing are bushings - engine alignment - tires at proper pressure I still have a wobble.

This time I was getting away from say knucklehead that decided it would be good to pace me - I'm guessing to draw attention away from him.

Anyway I twisted the grip and ran it up to 95+ (sure did get there in a hurry) took my left hand off the bar to wave with one finger and then it started and would not stop. Wasn't real scary but it ws damm uncomfortable.
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tony1968

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2009, 07:46:14 PM »

Hey so heres one for ya...  tighten the fork nut past spec...  tighter... I was having issues with the handling of the mine and while it was in the shop for service,  the service writer calls and says they cant find anything wrong with it.  I insist the fork nut is too loose.  He tells me its in spec, I tell him to have them tighten it anyway...
Got the bike back and have not had any issues since.  Not saying its right, but I have had no ill effects since, and no side effects. 
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DCFIREMANN

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2009, 07:51:05 PM »

Well even with the new swing are bushings - engine alignment - tires at proper pressure I still have a wobble.

This time I was getting away from say knucklehead that decided it would be good to pace me - I'm guessing to draw attention away from him.

Anyway I twisted the grip and ran it up to 95+ (sure did get there in a hurry) took my left hand off the bar to wave with one finger and then it started and would not stop. Wasn't real scary but it ws damm uncomfortable.

At 95 I would have waved with my leg!!!!!

Be Safe

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porthole

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2009, 08:03:10 PM »

Maybe - but I wasn't about to kick a door a that speed. :nixweiss:
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Keats

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2009, 08:12:26 PM »

Duane,

I also had an issue with mine that I had them tighten the nut on the fork tube (neck) and it went away, but I would not have described as "the wobble" I have heard about.
I would describe it as a looseness that would let the bars vibrate back and forth, not something coming from the rear.
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porthole

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2009, 08:21:13 PM »

Duane,

I also had an issue with mine that I had them tighten the nut on the fork tube (neck) and it went away, but I would not have described as "the wobble" I have heard about.
I would describe it as a looseness that would let the bars vibrate back and forth, not something coming from the rear.


There was no doubt, my front wheel was wobbleing left -right - left etc
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Keats

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2009, 08:26:54 PM »

I then would tighten that steering neck up and check to see if any better.

any cupping on front tire?
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djkak

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2009, 09:26:43 PM »

Hey Duane, I would be very careful about cranking down the steering head bearing well beyond spec and charge off down the road at triple digits. Before you try it on your bagger, find an XL, Dyna or other machine with easy access to the steering head adjustment and tighten it up well beyond spec. After the adjustment go ahead and try to ride the machine in a straight line at 30 to 40 mph. As you will discover, a tight steering head will induce a weave/wobble; possibly beyond the point of recovery at warp speed.

A “coast down wobble” is often “field fixed” by over tightening the neck bearing. This “fixes” the low speed issues but sets the rider up for possible high speed challenges. The classic coast down wobble occurs as the machine is decelerating through 40ish MPH and the handlebars begin to shake. The handlebar shake usually subsides as the machine passes through 30 MPH. It has been my experience that coast down wobbles are almost always the result of a tire issue (front and / or rear).
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AXIL

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2009, 09:48:03 PM »

duane, set your self centering forks to one and a half to two  swings from the left stop position and torque the nut to
75 ft. pounds .if that dont fix the wobble pm me .     axil
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Keats

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2009, 09:50:20 PM »

I did not make it clear that the tightened nut was not over spec. It did make the steering stiffer.
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VANAMAL

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2009, 09:59:07 PM »

 the way i understand it is that by design with trail and neck degrees you have great low speed handling but sacrafice the high speed handling. also the fairing at high speed tends to lift the front making it light.
ride safe! :bananarock:
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AXIL

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2009, 10:07:03 PM »

   ocontrare, the wind afect pushs down.    axil
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geezerglide

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #12 on: April 21, 2009, 12:56:38 AM »

Porthole,

I had a High Speed Wobble at approx.. 110 mph east of Bend Oregon last Sept, scared the crap out of me, eventually go stopped. Just previous to tihis I had a front and rear tire change at the HD dealer in Bend.

Here is what I found the front installed Dunlop E3 had approx.. 30 lbs. of air, the front wheel weight had also come off and put a nice ding on the underside of the gas tank and the Rotors where out of round. The only explanation for the wheel weight coming off is that the area was not cleaned properly and the adhesive did not hold, I checked the invoice and t show two sets of wheel weights.

In regards to the bent Rotor, I can only speculate that the front wheel was placed to far into the front wheel vise of the Handy Lift causing the Rotor to bend.

geezerglide
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porthole

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #13 on: April 21, 2009, 11:48:12 AM »

After the adjustment go ahead and try to ride the machine in a straight line at 30 to 40 mph. As you will discover, a tight steering head will induce a weave/wobble; possibly beyond the point of recovery at warp speed.


A long time ago in another career I had to repair more then one Chrysler product that some wanker tightened up the steering gear to eliminate steering wheel play.
You CANNOT drive a truck with a tight steering box in a straight line  :huepfenjump3:


Hey Duane, I would be very careful about cranking down the steering head bearing well beyond spec and charge off down the road at triple digits.


When I check it it will be adjusted to specs

A “coast down wobble” is often “field fixed” by over tightening the neck bearing. This “fixes” the low speed issues but sets the rider up for possible high speed challenges. The classic coast down wobble occurs as the machine is decelerating through 40ish MPH and the handlebars begin to shake. The handlebar shake usually subsides as the machine passes through 30 MPH. It has been my experience that coast down wobbles are almost always the result of a tire issue (front and / or rear).


Coast down I haven't experienced yet.

Tires are good and pressure checked the day before that ride
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porthole

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Re: The dreaded wobble
« Reply #14 on: April 21, 2009, 11:50:16 AM »

the way i understand it is that by design with trail and neck degrees you have great low speed handling but sacrafice the high speed handling.


Agree with that - that is why the FL is easier to handle then a Sportster - what a time I had convincing my son of that - until he traded his Sportster in on a Road King.
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