90mph wobble
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
Read through this and really if there was no wobble before the work was done, and its only started since , then it has to be something that was done....causing it.
The one thing that stuck with me, is your fluid change to the forks. I believe you have the amount wrong. You will never have an accurate measurement doing it that way, you need to do it correctly. The correct way is using a measurement tool, motion pro makes one and they are cheap to buy tool wise.
Using this tool increases your ability to get both sides right, with the correct amount of fluid in each tube. Also make sure you burb the air in the tube as well. Suspension tuning takes time and precision as you can see even small changes can effect the ride and handling....
your bike should have 26.5 oz.
The one thing that stuck with me, is your fluid change to the forks. I believe you have the amount wrong. You will never have an accurate measurement doing it that way, you need to do it correctly. The correct way is using a measurement tool, motion pro makes one and they are cheap to buy tool wise.
Using this tool increases your ability to get both sides right, with the correct amount of fluid in each tube. Also make sure you burb the air in the tube as well. Suspension tuning takes time and precision as you can see even small changes can effect the ride and handling....
your bike should have 26.5 oz.
i have considered re-doing the fork fluid because its the cheaper route. I wonder if i can get the tool locally
i can say the fluid that i put it was along the same lines as what the manual recommends, the manual says 26.5oz and i put in right around that amount from what i remember. it was 1pt and rounghly 270ml (again measured the same amount that came out) i used my ratio rite to measure.
i did not "burp" the fluid but i let it sit for awhile before capping it. i also put the fluid in with the springs, washer, and tube in the fork. maybe that was wrong?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
Ok, my guess is the fork fluid. If you have the manual...follow the procedure...chances are you have some air trapped in there.
also fill with springs out, then pump the tube up and down about 10 times. This forces air out and fluid down into the damper....
small things can can make a big difference especially when it comes to suspension
also fill with springs out, then pump the tube up and down about 10 times. This forces air out and fluid down into the damper....
small things can can make a big difference especially when it comes to suspension
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
I should also say that the amount, weight and even brand of fluid can make a difference....I think 20 weight is to thick for these types of forks, but suspension tuning is very subjective...
making sure urge both sides is equal is important as well.
if you do decide to redo the fluid, I would try a 10 wt ...I use the Amsoil shock therapy 10 wt with a custom set up but any high quality fluid should be good.
making sure urge both sides is equal is important as well.
if you do decide to redo the fluid, I would try a 10 wt ...I use the Amsoil shock therapy 10 wt with a custom set up but any high quality fluid should be good.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
I should also say that the amount, weight and even brand of fluid can make a difference....I think 20 weight is to thick for these types of forks, but suspension tuning is very subjective...
making sure urge both sides is equal is important as well.
if you do decide to redo the fluid, I would try a 10 wt ...I use the Amsoil shock therapy 10 wt with a custom set up but any high quality fluid should be good.
making sure urge both sides is equal is important as well.
if you do decide to redo the fluid, I would try a 10 wt ...I use the Amsoil shock therapy 10 wt with a custom set up but any high quality fluid should be good.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
I believe it is about a 5-7 weight...maybe a blend?
i think the screaming Eagle is 10 wt could try that...a lot of this is trial and error...and personal preference
took me me awhile to dial mine in but once you do, they can feel and work fantastic
i think the screaming Eagle is 10 wt could try that...a lot of this is trial and error...and personal preference
took me me awhile to dial mine in but once you do, they can feel and work fantastic
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
so heres an update
i took a day off from riding the bike and drove to work tuesday
wednesday i got back on the bike, and i didnt notice the wobble any more, nor did i today
i havent touched or changed a damn thing, other than now im back in the bay area where it is cold and im actually wearing my jacket that was stored behind the windshield and not allowing any air to pass through
Need to put some more miles on it but my theory is that since it was rather windy (head wind at that) on monday, and i had the jacket blocking off air from flowing under/trhough the windshield maybe the wind/wind restriction was causing it?
i took a day off from riding the bike and drove to work tuesday
wednesday i got back on the bike, and i didnt notice the wobble any more, nor did i today
i havent touched or changed a damn thing, other than now im back in the bay area where it is cold and im actually wearing my jacket that was stored behind the windshield and not allowing any air to pass through
Need to put some more miles on it but my theory is that since it was rather windy (head wind at that) on monday, and i had the jacket blocking off air from flowing under/trhough the windshield maybe the wind/wind restriction was causing it?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 690
Likes: 121
From: On my motorcycle
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,943
Likes: 7,035
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
The difference? About 35 mph in this particular case.
But, if a person absolutely MUST ride their bike outside the design parameters, then modifications are likely needed. The faster the speed, the more small changes can effect stability. In this case, it's fork oil. (Unless the tire is defective.) I've had a tire that balanced perfectly, but had an inherent "weave" at 42mph on my FXD, many years ago. Change the tire, the weave goes away. It was just the tire. I even stayed with the same brand/model tire, for all 21 years I had that bike.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
They're only complaining because they have a "cruiser" and are trying to ride it like a sport or sport tourer bike.
The difference? About 35 mph in this particular case.
But, if a person absolutely MUST ride their bike outside the design parameters, then modifications are likely needed. The faster the speed, the more small changes can effect stability. In this case, it's fork oil. (Unless the tire is defective.) I've had a tire that balanced perfectly, but had an inherent "weave" at 42mph on my FXD, many years ago. Change the tire, the weave goes away. It was just the tire. I even stayed with the same brand/model tire, for all 21 years I had that bike.
The difference? About 35 mph in this particular case.
But, if a person absolutely MUST ride their bike outside the design parameters, then modifications are likely needed. The faster the speed, the more small changes can effect stability. In this case, it's fork oil. (Unless the tire is defective.) I've had a tire that balanced perfectly, but had an inherent "weave" at 42mph on my FXD, many years ago. Change the tire, the weave goes away. It was just the tire. I even stayed with the same brand/model tire, for all 21 years I had that bike.
I don't know about you but I personally don't feel safe unless I'm consistently passing cars. To many people watching their phones yelling at their kids or whatever else they are doing for me to be a sitting duck next to them
And here in California cars going 80-85 is the norm
And the whole reason I have a problem with it is because it was not a problem until the recent changes were made
Would i rather have a street bike for high speed cruising. Sure if I wanted to do 120 all day
But any modern motorcycle wth a decent sized engine should be more than capable of doing 85-95 for a sustained amount of time
And mix that with the comfort you get on a Harley is the only way to eat up a lot of miles in a day
Case and point is I've owned this bike since brand new, it has never done this and I've put a lot of miles on it
Was looking for a recommendation on what it may be. Because I know the motorcycle itself was more than capable of doing it