Print

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

[Dr.D]

For the second time in 35k miles I am developing a slight wobble at slow speed on the front end. When it happened the last time the dealer said something about tightening the steering head bearings. Does this sound right? Can bearings be tightend?

[Midnight Rider]

For the second time in 35k miles I am developing a slight wobble at slow speed on the front end. When it happened the last time the dealer said something about tightening the steering head bearings. Does this sound right? Can bearings be tightend?

Yes, and Yes...they are not actually tightening the bearing itself, but rather a large nut on top of the steering head that seats the bearing below it into it's race better/tighter.  This is a "normal" maintenance item, and with 35 K on the bike, it's probably due again.  In your maintenance manual, it's probably referred to as "checking the fall away", which is another way of saying that the front steering should make X number of back and forth movements when the fork is turned all the way to one side, then released, when the bike is off the ground, of course.  I think that a number of the RG's had this "wobble" issue, and HD adjusted their recommended "fall away" to be less than was originally recommended.

[Cvostu]

I think it's more prone to do that on Road Glides for some reason.   That is no fun time, I'd take it in to be checked right away.   

[tazmun]

 It also has something to do with a bad tire, and believe it or not it could be a rear tire!
IF the head bearings loosen up, it could magnify the problem, with the tires.
And as the previous poster said, seem to be a more prevalent on the Road Glide.

[Chains]

It also has something to do with a bad tire, and believe it or not it could be a rear tire!
IF the head bearings loosen up, it could magnify the problem, with the tires.
And as the previous poster said, seem to be a more prevalent on the Road Glide.

I agree, cupped tire on the back with low pressure will resonate to the front, you need to check it out completely.

[Texas 103]

Yes, and Yes...they are not actually tightening the bearing itself, but rather a large nut on top of the steering head that seats the bearing below it into it's race better/tighter.  This is a "normal" maintenance item, and with 35 K on the bike, it's probably due again.  In your maintenance manual, it's probably referred to as "checking the fall away", which is another way of saying that the front steering should make X number of back and forth movements when the fork is turned all the way to one side, then released, when the bike is off the ground, of course.  I think that a number of the RG's had this "wobble" issue, and HD adjusted their recommended "fall away" to be less than was originally recommended.

Yes like one swing...problem fixed

[Cvostu]

Is that one swing from left to right and that's it? That isn't too tight?  I'm just trying for understand why this happens and why when slowing down around 35 mph. 

[Dr.D]

Thanks guys I like checking with the experience of the forum to be informed and not be fed any bull by mechanics. I do feel at a disadvantage at times with mechanical issues.

I have considered the tire questions and can say the rear is new with around 1k. The front is not as new and I am replacing it just because I am starting the season with a trip in 2 weeks. The cupping is very minor but some is present. I'm having them check the bearing and the tire. I never try to save $ on the tire/ handling issues.

I think the increase speed and inertia keeps the thing trued out if that makes any sense. Kind of like a spinning top wobbles more as it slows. Only a guess on my part.

[Cvostu]

Seems kind of strange that I hear about it on Road Glides.   I don't hear about the "wobble " on bat wing fairing bikes.   I'm just trying to figure out why.  

[rheston]

Are you running spoked wire rims on your bike?  The reason I ask is that I had this same issue on my 99 Road King when the spokes were over tightened and it threw the bike all out of whack.

[Dr.D]

Are you running spoked wire rims on your bike?  The reason I ask is that I had this same issue on my 99 Road King when the spokes were over tightened and it threw the bike all out of whack.

Yes I am. Never thought about the spokes? If they are part of the problem it would most likely be some on the loose side since they have not been tightened to my knowledge and the wobble has not always been present. Thanks I will have the possibility looked into.

[Texas 103]

Is that one swing from left to right and that's it? That isn't too tight?  I'm just trying for understand why this happens and why when slowing down around 35 mph. 

Pull the bar all the way to the left  and let it go, when it gets to the right that's one swing, when it starts to come back  toward the left that's the next swing. and back toward the right again is another swing.  The reason it happens is the head bearings are to loose. The swing method in my opinion is a guess at best and not even close to being accurate. My take is that I'll tighten it as tight as I need to take care of the wobble. The wobble is dangerous and I won't have it. IF you get it too tight then the bike won't turn properly, when you go into a corner. I haven't done that yet but that's what they tell me. I just tighten mine enough to get rid of the wobble and ended up with one swing. Make sure the neck is full of grease. I've ridden three new '11 road glides and they all had the decell death wobble. Truth be told I'd bet that a lot a dealers are tightening the head bearings this way and telling the customer they just  needed tightened. Buddy bought his batwing bike over Sunday and I did some misc stuff to it . Took it out , it too had the Decell wobble. Checked the swing, it had 4, that's too loose, in my opinion. Yes it may wear the head bearings a little more to run them a little tighter. and may have to change them out earlier, but I don't care safety and a proper handling bike is more important to me than an .15 set of head bearings...Greg   

[Cvostu]

Greg- I totally agree with you there.  Someone on here , I won't say who, warned me about the head bearings and the "wobble" but I didn't listen and I bought a sergu anyway.   I went a half a mile and got the surprise of my life when that happened.   I coudnt believe that a 35k bike would do such a thing and that ignorant dealer would let that thing go with having it checked first.  It was a consigned bike and there was another issue that made me piss in my cornflakes with that bike so I handed it back to them and got out of that deal. Only one hundred and eight years of building motorcycles, maybe they will get it right someday.  My 04 seeg with 64k goes down the road as straight as an arrow and no real issues.  Maybe that's why I just stick with it. 

[Monzie]

Low tire pressure either front or back or both will cause this as well...

[Cvostu]

My pressure was up.   Made no difference