Engine Mount Confusion
Tourer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 381
Likes: 122
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
I wonder if this lateral movement is what I'm feeling. I haven't had the chance to really ride my fat bob much yet, but a few times when I was on a good, mildly aggressive line with it, I felt something happen with the back tire. It felt like the rear tire was suddenly on its own line, wider than mine. I didn't feel it hop or skid or anything, it just sorta feels like it slips into a wider line on its own.
Then again my tires are getting down there in tread, about 3/4 of the way to a change so it could be that as well. Doesn't feel like it though. Feels like the floor coming out from under you.
Then again my tires are getting down there in tread, about 3/4 of the way to a change so it could be that as well. Doesn't feel like it though. Feels like the floor coming out from under you.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 255
From: From Long Island, now in So. Cal
Actually the engine, transmission, and swing arm are bolted together as one assembly that is rubber mounted into the frame. So adjusting the top Heim joint is used to move the assembly to align it with the front rotor/wheel.
I used a magnetic digital protractor attached to the front rotor, zeroed it out, then attached it to the rear rotor and adjusted the top Heim joint.
I used a magnetic digital protractor attached to the front rotor, zeroed it out, then attached it to the rear rotor and adjusted the top Heim joint.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
Yes and no. The rear tire alignment can vary quite significantly due to spacer setup, axle adjuster (HUGE factor that's often glossed over. You can easily get +/- 5 degrees or more here.), and swingarm pivot slop...not to mention swingarm geometry itself (bent, warped, poorly jigged during welding, etc)
Last edited by cggorman; Aug 17, 2018 at 03:55 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Originally Posted by Huggerbugger
His specialty is sport bikes. No one wants to work on Harleys.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Yep, hard to find an indy that knows how to work on Harley's.... which is weird, because I think my Dyna is one of the easiest bikes I've ever worked on.
That said, I do all my own work.
That said, I do all my own work.