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[deaf1]

This is from the chicago tribune.. Man is claiming harley's negligence put him in a wheel chair...


What do you think? I dont understand why you would speed up when the bike was shaking...

I DO feel for this guy,  but anyone else have these mechanical problems?

See attachment

[Gettinold]

This is only one of many law suits that Harley has had of "The Wobble". 

[SBB]

This is from the chicago tribune.. Man is claiming harley's negligence put him in a wheel chair...


What do you think? I dont understand why you would speed up when the bike was shaking...

I DO feel for this guy,  but anyone else have these mechanical problems?

See attachment

First let me say, there is no telling what really happened to cause this incident.
We were not there.
Pre 09 FL frames have a history of potentially having a wobble in certain conditions.
Typically it is during a high speed curve called a sweeper or at high speed running straight.
When this happens you have three options.
1) Try to slow down. Most times this doesn't work.
2) Speed up. This is tough, the bike is wobbling and you speed up. This usually corrects the wobble. Once back under control you then slow down gradually.
3) Kiss your ass goodbye and crash.
I have tried #1 and #2 and option # 2 seems to work the best.
It's just a tough thing to do.
How speeding up relates to what happened to this guy I will never know.
I believe Harley is aware of this issue and does not a solution.
If they did it would be like everything else they ever tested on us the consumer. They would offer a repair kit at a fee.


SBB

[porthole]

but anyone else have these mechanical problems?

Common with these bikes, including mine.

[deaf1]

I never realized there was so many bikes
with that issue!!!  Again there was
never anything bad against  this guy.

why aren't people wining lawsuits???

I may go down and watch the trial and the other
two the lawyer is putting on

scott

[porthole]

They don't call it the death wobble for nothing 

[Keats]

I suspect that powering on lets the back in stabalize by putting more weight in the back end.

there are many possibilities and no one has put their finger on it completely. This doesn't seem to happen at legal speeds either.


Tires balanced/worn
balance in the saddle bags
engine trans alignment/movement
movement in the frame
whoops on a curve / uneven roadway
bushing slop in frame
driver error

it will surely make your a$$ pucker.

I was riding alongside a buddy and his bike developed the problem next to me.

It appeared that the bike was bouncing up and down left and right. He about filled his pants.
his conclusion was that he had a cupped worn tire and saddle bags had uneven weight distribution.
I am not sure that was the issue, but after experiencing it once, he wanted no part of finding out
if he fixed the issue.
He will not try to replicate to find out, like most.

[Keats]

I personally believe it has something to do with tracking the rear wheel (suspension)

I have never heard this happen in a straight line.
in a curve at 80 mph there are a lot of forces going on.
 
lots of pressure on inside of tire tread.
if you hit a whoop/dip/bump this will lift back end up and you lose traction on the rear.
More importantly the rear of the bike will move outside and then inside.
it can develop a rhythm left and right and a wrong compensation makes it worse.
braking lightens the rear wheel making it worse.
powering up changes the rhythm by putting more weight to the rear.

I may be full of it, but that is an explanation that I tend to believe.

A sudden change in movement in the rear starts the whole process.

Why don't other bikes have similar issues? same roads.
First I am not sure that they all do not.
second it could be related to the weight distribution front and rear
third it could be the rear suspension or frame flex.

or a combination of all of the above.

has anyone had the "wobble" on the new frames?



 

[SBB]

I have never heard this happen in a straight line.

if you hit a dip/bump this will lift back end up and you lose traction on the rear.
More importantly the rear of the bike will move outside and then inside.

Straight line roads also have dips and bumps, just like curves.










has anyone had the "wobble" on the new frames?

No wobble with 45,000 miles on my 09 SEUC.
Rock steady at 120.


  

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
             SBB



Edited to add, to bad the rest of the 09 SEUC is not as well built as the frame.

[Keats]

if you hit a dip/bump this will lift back end up and you lose traction on the rear.
More importantly the rear of the bike will move outside and then inside.

Straight line roads also have dips and bumps, just like curves.


Yes, but it is the curve that pulls you and starts the wobble.

anyone ever get the wobble in a straight line, I have not heard of it.

The wobble or Tank slapper can be induced anytime at high speed just turn the front end left and right with the right rhythm and it will start. straight line or curve.

The curve just can do it involuntarily.

[SBB]

if you hit a dip/bump this will lift back end up and you lose traction on the rear.
More importantly the rear of the bike will move outside and then inside.

Straight line roads also have dips and bumps, just like curves.


Yes, but it is the curve that pulls you and starts the wobble.

anyone ever get the wobble in a straight line, I have not heard of it.
The wobble or Tank slapper can be induced anytime at high speed just turn the front end left and right with the right rhythm and it will start. straight line or curve.

The curve just can do it involuntarily.

OK, I guess your the expert here and have the answers!
I have been in a wobble running in a straight line.
I have seen Hubbard in a wobble running in a straight line.
Have seen a SERK from New York go into a wobble running in a straight line.
It's doubtful either I or the other two guys induced their wobble to entertain our fellow riders.
But what do we know.
I defer to your knowledge and experience!

 

SBB

[Keats]

Chip,

Your sarcasim is for what reason?

I am not a self proclaimed expert, just giving an opinion that could be changed with pertinant information.

There have been many (engineers) with a lot of credentials that has has spent many hours trying to find out what the problem really
is with little success.

(the answer seems to be - " a lot of different factors cause the issues)

We may disagree, but do not try to start a pissing contest over nothing.

[SBB]

Chip,

You sarcasim is for what reason?

I am not a self proclaimed expert, just giving an opinion that could be changed with pertinant information.

There have been many (engineers) with a lot of credentials that has has spent many hours trying to find out what the problem really
is with little success.

(the answer seems to be - " a lot of different factors cause the issues)

We may disagree, but do not try to start a pissing contest over nothing.

My point was and is, a wobble may occur while riding in a straight line.
I have experienced that, I have seen my friends experience the same, so the fact that it will occur is a no brainer based on experience.
I pointed out those facts based on experience.
Call that however you chose.

SBB

[Keats]

So,

I will proclaim you as the expert and surrender the title you appointed me.

You have proved to me, my observations are meaningless and not valid.

[sadunbar]

So,

I will proclaim you as the expert and surrender the title you appointed me.

You have proved to me, my observations are meaningless and not valid.

Does he have to surrender his current "Chithead" title, or does he get to have two titles - "Chithead" and "Expert"...  Just trying to clarify...