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[jkbean]

I installed a 21x3.5, 52 fat daddy spoke wheel on the front Metzeler 120/70-21 tire, and a 18x4.25 52 fat daddy spoke on the rear Metzeler 160/60-18 tire. Had them balanced. Installed new rear brake rotor with new pads. Front wheel balanced, no new pads or rotors. Running through the gears easy and getting up to 70 mph, started noticing a wobble. Ran it to 80 mph and it got worse. Throttled back to 65 and the wobble went away. The tire pressure up front is 38 psi and the rear is at 44 psi.

Could it be the rotor(s)? I will take in for a dial indicator check.
The wheel may not be true. I will check that as well.
The spokes were a little loose. I tightened them up.

Could the rear somehow cause the bike to wobble?  I couldn't exactly tell where the wobble was coming from. I know that somehow I changed the makeup of the bike, but it shouldn't do all that.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[kiwihog]

if it was a car id say wheel alignment how does the rear wheel look ??sitting straight??

[jkbean]

The rear wheel & tire are sitting straight. When I replaced the wheel, tire, rotor & brake pads...it went back together like I removed it. Marked the CAMS to align the axle back into the swingarm.  If by taking the front wheel to check rotors and wheel trueness doesn't fix it, then I'll take the bike into Harley and see if the bike is out of alignment. I didn't have any problems until I placed these larger wheels and tires on my scoot.

[LarryB]

21 " front wheels are unstable at higher speeds

[Midnight Rider]

You've changed a bunch of stuff, including the geometry of how the bike handles.  For one, the larger tire(s), with a lower profile sidewall.  A 21" tire/rim on the front looks real nice, but it's not very practical on a stock harley frame/front end.  A 19" is one thing, but a 21" is just too much, IMO.  It's just simply not going to track as well as a smaller diameter tire.

A 21" tire may be fine for a chopper with a raked front end (longer wheelbase...more stable, not to mention the rake/trail factors), but on a stock HD touring bike frame, with a rake/trail designed more for Shriner Parades, it just doesn't typically work out real well.

But if you like it, that's all that matters.

[jkbean]

Your advise/opinion is spot on. Too much hassle just to look cool. Hell with that. I'd rather be safe than wobble my ass right on the highway where my kids would have to scrap me up. NO thanks!!

Anyone interested in buying a  21" x 3.5" Fat Daddy Spoke Wheel on a 120/70-21 Metzeler tire?  And how about I throw in a 18" x 4.25" Fat Daddy Spoke Wheel on a 160/60-18 Metzeler tire. All for $750. Wheels and tires have 300 miles on them.

[Bo2484]

I have built several bikes one being a roadglide with 21 and 18 metzler front and rear the bike wobbled at high speeds, the next bike was a cvo electra glide raked with a 23 and an 18 I ran an avon front and a metzler rear (buddy of mine that builds bikes told me to do this) it worked and the bike didnt wobble.  My new bike i just built is raked with a 26 and an 18 i am running a vee rubber front and a metzler rear and it is the best riding bike i have ever had i would recommend trying the avon metzler setup u may be surprised

[Cvostu]

I would go back to the stock set up.  That bike is built a certain way and a wobble just isn't worth it. Hogasm told me that he is putting his back to the way it came as well. I hope you have your original wheels.   

[grc]

I have built several bikes one being a roadglide with 21 and 18 metzler front and rear the bike wobbled at high speeds, the next bike was a cvo electra glide raked with a 23 and an 18 I ran an avon front and a metzler rear (buddy of mine that builds bikes told me to do this) it worked and the bike didnt wobble.  My new bike i just built is raked with a 26 and an 18 i am running a vee rubber front and a metzler rear and it is the best riding bike i have ever had i would recommend trying the avon metzler setup u may be surprised

Comparing apples to lemons IMHO.  The idea that two raked bikes didn't wobble doesn't really prove that the Avon/Metz tires had anything to do with it, nor does it suggest that this tire combination will "fix" a stock framed bike.  

There comes a point when looks and "style" need to take a back seat to function.  Wobbles can become an unsafe condition very easily, and all the "style" in the world won't fix the skin you leave on the highway if the bike pitches you off.  If a bike is purchased just for showing or posing, fine.  If it's purchased to actually be ridden on a regular basis, I suggest function should trump other considerations.


Jerry

[Cvostu]

Very well stated Jerry. 

[SteveO]

Balance !!