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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
1995 Wide Glide. Nothing special, It runs good but I wouldn't say it's a "race" bike. It is not extremely fast with stupid horsepower. Someone might have put a cam in it before I've owned it. I bought the bike used a few years ago. I have no idea how many owners it's had or what engine modifications if any might be done to it.
Right now the bike is on a lift with the rear wheel off. I am replacing a worn rear tire. The rear wheel bearings check out okay. While the bike is off the ground the neck and swing arm bearings check out okay. I have new Harley Davidson front and rear motor mounts. I am replacing both mounts while I have to rear wheel. Last year I replaced the front tire and upon inspection while repacking the wheel bearings they checked out okay. I am going to check the front wheel spokes and tighten any I might find loose.
The bike really doesn't have a wobble. It's more of a rear steer wander, slip or an unexpected lane shift. Unmistakably something isn't right. It's done it a few times at higher speed (above 60 MPH) leaning and steering in a sweeping corner while maybe hitting a bump or dip in the road. Nothing horrible but definitely noticeable. I never noticed while traveling in a straight line.
While I have the rear while off I removed the old rear mount to replace it. It is noticeably twisted or tweaked off center. I haven't removed the front mount yet to notice its condition. I suspect it might be worse than the rear from what I can see while it is still on the bike. I was thinking on giving the bike the shotgun approach adding chassis/engine stabilizer/braces front and rear while the wheel is off.
Asking good and or bad options, opinions from Dyna riders what their experiences are with chassis/engine stabilizer/braces, what choices brand and or maker they chose?
97 WG here. Had the wobbles like you experienced in a sweeper doing 70. Wound up replacing F and R motor mounts/isolators. I do have the Carlini Torque Arm along with wider wheels F (21x3.5 on 120/70 tires) and R (18x5.5 on 180/55) and went through the same sweeper in triple digits one handed and it did not wobble. I;m guessing the new F & R motor mounts/isolators will fix your issue. The Carlini Torque Arm I don't believe is produced anymore - maybe you can get it used. I forgot to also add I purchased new wheels (non-spoke) F & R.
As others have suggested, other mounts - Predator, Sputhe, True Track, etc. seem to tighten up the motor mount area and lessen potential flexing. The Thunderheader exhaust has a similar brace/exhaust bracket like the Carlini Torque Arm (in design), but is it not as robust. You might be to contact Thundheadher and see if they sell that exhaust mount separately.
97 WG here. Had the wobbles like you experienced in a sweeper doing 70. Wound up replacing F and R motor mounts/isolators. I do have the Carlini Torque Arm along with wider wheels F (21x3.5 on 120/70 tires) and R (18x5.5 on 180/55) and went through the same sweeper in triple digits one handed and it did not wobble. I;m guessing the new F & R motor mounts/isolators will fix your issue. The Carlini Torque Arm I don't believe is produced anymore - maybe you can get it used.
As others have suggested, other mounts - Predator, Sputhe, True Track, etc. seem to tighten up the motor mount area and lessen potential flexing. The Thunderheader exhaust has a similar brace/exhaust bracket like the Carlini Torque Arm (in design), but is it not as robust. You might be to contact Thundheadher and see if they sell that exhaust mount separately.
FWIW, I have a 2000 dyna FXDX (good suspension) that had the same issue, tried steering damper, Sputhe stabilizer. As the tires wore it would wobble.. I blew the motor 116ci (1st time) and rebuilt the bike with 2.50x19 front (110/80x19) and 5.0x18 (180/55x18) rear. Bike handled like it was on rails.. I used aluminum hoops and SS spokes. Still handles.. In fact I took off the rear stabilizer as it made little difference..
1. New (Harley Davidson) Motor Mounts
2. Sputhe Front and Rear
3. New MU85E16 American Elite Rear Tire.
I take back everything bad I've ever said about the way Dyan's handle in the past. My wife owned a 2001 FXDXT and I hated the thing. I never felt steady, kind of flimsy, lose or squirrel. I was attributing my hatred for the bike to the harrow front end.
As I've aged I've given up riding heavy weight Motorcycles. I figured I'd give Wide Glide a try with a wider front end. Since I've owned the bike I NEVER felt confident riding it.
The first thing I did shortly after I bought to try and help the handling was add a front fork brace. It helped a lot and I thought it was as good as it get.
NOT TRUE - There must be an inherent design flaw with all Dyna's. How could Harley Davidson ever expect anyone to accept the crap they offered. No wonder why so may other bike owners and riders bash Harley Davidson's. Don't drink the COOL AIDE. I was on of them who just accepted the crap because the MoCo had us convinced it as good as it gets. BULLSH@T.
What a MAJOR difference. The low speed (parking lot) handling is where I notice a BIGGEST difference. At high speed there is NO MORE unexpected lane shifting, wandering or wobbling. I never noticed how bad it was but the handling sucked REALLY, REALLY, REALLY BAD. I am amazed in the difference. Next I am planning a Race Brace the tie the engine and transmission together.