handlebar wobble

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Dec 25, 2014 | 09:45 PM

#11

Warrior 72

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 583

Likes: 5

From: Allentown PA

Tire pressure is usually the issue, but my neck bearings (fall away) were loose on mine and was causing me some issues with these horrible PA roads. I also come from sport bikes, and boy does the HD suspension blow!!! I've dropped some cash into the suspension and it's made a huge difference in the enjoyment of my DYNA. I'm also going to order a True Track or Sputhe stabilizer, some people swear by them, do a search there is a lot of articles written about how they have transformed more than a few DYNA's.

Dec 26, 2014 | 10:20 AM

#12

dzzbob

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 146

Likes: 2

From: slatington, pa

Your not kidding about pa roads. The dealer is going to check it out for me since shes still under warranty. Im definitely appreciate everyone's help. If I would've ridden a harley 18 years ago I probably would've owned nothing but. I love my bob

Dec 26, 2014 | 11:07 AM

#13

cardboard

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 3,909

Likes: 6

From: Livingston, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzzbob

FatBob is a great Bike. Glad the dealer is gonna check it out. That is really great.
Your gonna enjoy yer bob. Don't let anybody jack with you.
You got the Best Dyna made.

Dec 26, 2014 | 08:29 PM

#14

Warrior 72

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 583

Likes: 5

From: Allentown PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzzbob

Let us know what the dealer finds out.

Dec 27, 2014 | 03:20 AM

#15

HYPR

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 1,020

Likes: 25

From: Valencia, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzzbob

Hi all I'm new to harleys and last week I noticed that when I took my hands off the handlebars the front wheel started to speed wobble. Is this normal on a harley. All of my sportbikes had steering stabilizers on them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

As stated the Fall Away on Fat Bobs is usually the main culprit however tire pressure, wheel bearings, alignment, rear shock settings, and even the bead setting on the tire can cause the Dyna wobble you described. The True-Trac and other similar products will be improvements but not the cure for your issue. I installed the True-Trac to improve the high speed curve tracking. In addition I have installed a set of Ricor rear shocks and a set of Works Cartridges in the front forks. The bike really handles and rides great under any condition.
Bob

Jan 3, 2015 | 12:27 AM

#16

John_K

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 731

Likes: 7

From: Windsor Ontario

Your front (and possibly rear) tire may be cupped. Friend of mine had a similar issue, replaced front tire problem solved. Fixed a very slight handle bar wiggle on both my Sporty and LowRider with new rubber in both cases. On the Sporty I had first tried adjusting neck bearings with little improvement.

Sometimes the cupping is barely noticeable, other times you can see it in the treads from a mile away. I've seen it on OEM Dunlops, Metz 888s, Kenda's... Haven't worn a set of Mich Commanders enough to see if they suffer the same.

If you're in the market for new rubber you may solve the issue right there... though I'd recommend doing the neck bearings and checking wheel bearings as well as a matter of safety.

Let us know what works

EDIT: oh, another potential culprit is fork oil - change out the OEM swill that's in there now. This generally doesn't manifest as a wobble until 80+ mph.

Last edited by John_K; Jan 3, 2015 at 12:31 AM. Reason: fork oil

Jan 3, 2015 | 02:29 AM

#17

skinman13

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 2,557

Likes: 235

From: Texas

I recently had this same exact problem...I posed the same symptoms here and got the same good advice and suggestions you are getting. I decided that before I tore into things, I would do the obvious. The front tire looked good and the balance was spot-on, but the tire had high milage. Even though the tread wear looked OK, it was bad enough to cause issues in some situations, always at lower speed, and most noticeable in a left turn.

Last edited by skinman13; Jan 3, 2015 at 02:32 AM.

Jan 3, 2015 | 02:13 PM

#18

dzzbob

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 146

Likes: 2

From: slatington, pa

Thanks again. I just got back from the dealer and low and behold it was the front tire, it looked good but looking closely it is kind of choppy. Dealer put new tire on and it no longer gives my the handlebar wiggle. Best part was since I just purchased the bike in late oct. they did it under warranty. A huge thanks to everyone here for all of the great advice and happy new year