Very Low speed front end wobble
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 765
Likes: 11
From: North East Ohio
Very Low speed front end wobble
Hi, I have a 2014 Ultra Limited. At very low speeds and while turning sharp radiuses I get a front end wobble. I had taken to the dealer twice ( thinking it was a neck bearing) before the warranty ran out. All they said was it is within tolerance. Has any body else experienced this? and if so were you able to remedy the situation? Thanks Bill
Popular Reply
May 16, 2016, 07:21 PM
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252
Likes: 50
From: Georgia
I had an issue with the front end of my '14 FLHTK that I also described as low speed wobble. At parking lot speeds, it felt like there was something loose between my handlebars and the front wheel. The "looseness" moderated at higher speeds, and the bike handled ok on the highway, but it would come back at slow speeds. I had the neck bearings checked, as well as the torque on the handlebar clamps.
I went so far as to replace the front end suspension and went to a tire with a different tread pattern. All of these things made it a little bit better. Finally, though, I found a post in this forum that suggested looking at the handlebar riser bushings. I have yet to actually pull out and check those bushings, but what I did find was that the bolt through those bushings that you access from the bottom of the top triple tree wasn't properly torqued. It wasn't way loose, but it took about 3/4 of a turn to bring the bolt to torque spec of 38 lb-ft.
Cranking those bolts down made all the difference in the world. I got immediate relief from the slow speed wobble. That was about 15k miles ago. Recently, I started to sense a little wobble again, and sure enough, those same bolts had backed out slightly. Re-torqued them, and wobble gone.
So, the next time I sense any wobble, I will pull the fairing and get in and replace the riser bushings, and then also Blue Loctite the bolts.
The riser bolt heads are easily accessible if you swing the handlebars to one side and then the other. Look up at the bottom of the top triple tree and they will be obvious. You can reach them with a socket wrench and a 3 inch extension.
I went so far as to replace the front end suspension and went to a tire with a different tread pattern. All of these things made it a little bit better. Finally, though, I found a post in this forum that suggested looking at the handlebar riser bushings. I have yet to actually pull out and check those bushings, but what I did find was that the bolt through those bushings that you access from the bottom of the top triple tree wasn't properly torqued. It wasn't way loose, but it took about 3/4 of a turn to bring the bolt to torque spec of 38 lb-ft.
Cranking those bolts down made all the difference in the world. I got immediate relief from the slow speed wobble. That was about 15k miles ago. Recently, I started to sense a little wobble again, and sure enough, those same bolts had backed out slightly. Re-torqued them, and wobble gone.
So, the next time I sense any wobble, I will pull the fairing and get in and replace the riser bushings, and then also Blue Loctite the bolts.
The riser bolt heads are easily accessible if you swing the handlebars to one side and then the other. Look up at the bottom of the top triple tree and they will be obvious. You can reach them with a socket wrench and a 3 inch extension.
Last edited by GaJayhawk; May 16, 2016 at 07:24 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 433
Likes: 67
From: NOR CAL
Hi, I have a 2014 Ultra Limited. At very low speeds and while turning sharp radiuses I get a front end wobble. I had taken to the dealer twice ( thinking it was a neck bearing) before the warranty ran out. All they said was it is within tolerance. Has any body else experienced this? and if so were you able to remedy the situation? Thanks Bill
and as other stated check the tire to but if its cuped wearing weird, something is causing it....
Ive had issues with neck bearing and dealerships in the past so try another one IMO
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
According to local shop they all do that but I couldn't stand it, I tighten the steering head bearings and wobble went away.Swing back test was within specs but little too close the high side, not knowing the thread on adjust nut is reverse turn a qtr turn took for ride and the damn thing was swinging like crazy dancer, then tighten back 1/2 turn it was better then turn another 1/2 turn was little too tight felt funny in a corner backed off little and it was perfect buttoned back all the crap and called good.
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 48
From: eastern mi
Had the same issue last summer and took the bike to the dealer for neck bearing adjustment,and it wasn't the issue,Had about 18,000 miles on the front tire and had it changed about a week later and issue didn't go away. Just my experience.
Last edited by mikeman54; Oct 7, 2016 at 08:12 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 4
Had the same issue, dealer checked it out and found no issues.
I replaced the front tire to fix the issue, tire was cupped.
My back tire is cupped also, doesn't ride bad, but makes noise in turns. Sound kind of like a big truck tire when leaning right or left.
I replaced the front tire to fix the issue, tire was cupped.
My back tire is cupped also, doesn't ride bad, but makes noise in turns. Sound kind of like a big truck tire when leaning right or left.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 71
From: Tennessee
Agree with everyone else...front tire is the most likely cause. Just went through that myself.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,619
Likes: 57
From: New York
I replaced the front tire as well but the problem didn't go away so I adjusted the neck bearing with a 1/4" socket extension. First time it was too tight and the bike veered all over the road. Had to take it all back apart again to get to the pinch screw to loosen it some.
