06 FXD high speed corner wallow/wobble
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Renton, WA
And yes yes I feel I have realistic expectations. Maybe not cornering wise, but theres no reason I shouldnt be able to go 100mph in a straight line without the bike feeling like its weaving back and forth.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
Hmmm....sounds like you checked out all the normal stuff. Did the bike wobble before you put the lowering springs on? Lowering the front end changes the rake, and can affect handling. How long have you had the bike? Has the bike always done this, or is it recent? Was it ever wrecked? Bent frame? How much do you weigh? If you're a big guy with a lowered front end, you've changed the front/rear effective balance. Does the bike have a windshield? Is it straight? All things to check.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
OP~ How wide are your bars? Wide bars may cause a wobble, induced by the rider. Are you sure the bike has a problem, and not the rider? Riders may not want to admit things that manifest into unwanted movements. At the speeds you're talking about, minuscule movements are all that is needed to produce a "wobble."
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Renton, WA
Hmmm....sounds like you checked out all the normal stuff. Did the bike wobble before you put the lowering springs on? Lowering the front end changes the rake, and can affect handling. How long have you had the bike? Has the bike always done this, or is it recent? Was it ever wrecked? Bent frame? How much do you weigh? If you're a big guy with a lowered front end, you've changed the front/rear effective balance. Does the bike have a windshield? Is it straight? All things to check.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Renton, WA
OP~ How wide are your bars? Wide bars may cause a wobble, induced by the rider. Are you sure the bike has a problem, and not the rider? Riders may not want to admit things that manifest into unwanted movements. At the speeds you're talking about, minuscule movements are all that is needed to produce a "wobble."
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 25
From: Rotterdam, Netherlands
this is a great explanation of everything. However I have to question what you say about the rear mount. I do believe that it will give, but why would this just be a recent issue then? Ive had the bike 2 years and just started dealing with this wallow the last few months.
Do you know what state the rear mount is in? I've seen a lot about tires and the front mount, while the rear mount is most important imo. I did the same things (except the tire change, while my tires are sheit) a month back, neck bearings, front mount, but also the rear mount. Changing the rear mount gave me a different bike. Mine does 80 mile sweepers like its on rails now.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Renton, WA
Because they wear down...?
Do you know what state the rear mount is in? I've seen a lot about tires and the front mount, while the rear mount is most important imo. I did the same things (except the tire change, while my tires are sheit) a month back, neck bearings, front mount, but also the rear mount. Changing the rear mount gave me a different bike. Mine does 80 mile sweepers like its on rails now.
Do you know what state the rear mount is in? I've seen a lot about tires and the front mount, while the rear mount is most important imo. I did the same things (except the tire change, while my tires are sheit) a month back, neck bearings, front mount, but also the rear mount. Changing the rear mount gave me a different bike. Mine does 80 mile sweepers like its on rails now.
Not trying to sound like a dick, but have you read any of my posts? The rear mount is brand new. Put it in at the same time as the predator. And now I have the Sputhe stabilizer in the rear also. Still wobbles.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
i replaces the front springs with the stock ones again and it still does this. I’ve had the bike for 2ish years. I don’t remember it doing this when I first got it, but then again I may not have been riding it as hard. The bike was layed down by the previous owner, I don’t think it was bad enough to bend the frame though. I weight 190lbs. It does have a small Arlen ness fairing, that I’m fairly certain is pretty straight.
I see you're in Renton, I'm in Puyallup so I know the area. Your original post said "freeway sweepers"; some of the local freeways aren't in the best shape and you'll get some wobble on any cruiser style bike at higher speeds; although you shouldn't get any wobble going straight, and 75-80 isn't screaming fast. Does it wobble on every sweeper, even smooth ones? If it doesn't wobble on smooth sweepers, then it's probably a suspension tuning issue. Also you said wallow/wobble. A wallow is up and down movement of the bike's vertical axis, a wobble is the bars moving left and right. When you experience this wobble, does it get worse the longer your in the corner, or is it consistent? If consistent, may be the nature of the beast. Try changing the preload and dampening if equipped, on the rear shocks. If the rear end starts bouncing/wallowing; that energy get transferred and shows up as a front end wobble, because the neck is the only hinge on the bike vertical axis. Also, 10wt fork oil may be a bit light.
This is a tough one. You've certainly covered all the normal stuff and then some. Something somewhere is out of whack, so now just make one change at a time until you figure it out.
Edit: How many miles on bike? Possible your neck bearings are bad; could be flat spots or races are not seated properly. Bearings can be adjusted properly, but if there bad it will show at high speeds. Last resort is pull the front end off and try new bearings and races.
Last edited by bad tappets; Jun 6, 2018 at 12:41 PM. Reason: Add
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 25
From: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Still you managed. Yeah, I did. It's in your third post. You might want to update your first. Or not. Good luck with the wobble...
