Bouncing Front End
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Stage II
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: MN
Bouncing Front End
Hi All I'm sure you see this a lot but I am new to the forum. I am also new to owning a Harley Davidson. I am not new to riding bikes or wrenching on anything. I did do some searching to what the issue is but did not find an answer. I have an 08 Street Bob. Just hit 10,000 miles I purchased it about 2 months back and only put 300 miles on it. Dealer reported that it had like a 5000 point inspection done. Maybe not 5000 but it had done what a dealer does to a used bike. When riding home from work all was fine and out of no where it got a front end bounce. Like I was going over further spaced rumble strips. A constant bounce. It was colder out and it was raining a small amount. The bike has spoke wheels Joker triple trees and T-bars. It was windy and does have a cheaper aftermarket front fairing. I am not sure of what the issue is. Any help is appreciated and I will apologize if I am not doing this correctly. The bike is bad *** and I love it. I now understand what all the fuss is about when it comes to Harleys!! The bike is clean as new not a drop of oil anywhere on the bike. Its AWESOME!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 953
From: Out West
Welcome to the forum 
That doesn't sound fun at all and makes me suspicious of the fluid in the front forks. Maybe the PO fiddled with the springs or changed the fluid in there thinking they were improving it, I think I'd have to open them up and replace the fluids/rebuild kit.
Odds are though, if you've ridden other bikes you've enjoyed better suspension than what the SB has
Factory Service Manual and youtube videos can provide plenty of info for you, good luck
That doesn't sound fun at all and makes me suspicious of the fluid in the front forks. Maybe the PO fiddled with the springs or changed the fluid in there thinking they were improving it, I think I'd have to open them up and replace the fluids/rebuild kit.
Odds are though, if you've ridden other bikes you've enjoyed better suspension than what the SB has
Factory Service Manual and youtube videos can provide plenty of info for you, good luck
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,497
Likes: 30,783
From: Pennsylvania
1. Check for broken spokes.
2. Check for loose spokes - tap on each one with a wooden dowel and see if the tone changes.
3. Check wheel run out and out of round by lifting the front end if you have a jack and spinning the front tire.
4. Did it just start doing this or has it done it always?
5. Check the front disc brake to see if the pads are rubbing on the disc or binding, you can check this while the front end is jacked up.
6. Has the rake or trail been changed with the Joker Triple Trees?
7. Speed at which the bounce occurred?
8. As stated above you may have lost a wheel balancing weight.
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information that is useful and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
2. Check for loose spokes - tap on each one with a wooden dowel and see if the tone changes.
3. Check wheel run out and out of round by lifting the front end if you have a jack and spinning the front tire.
4. Did it just start doing this or has it done it always?
5. Check the front disc brake to see if the pads are rubbing on the disc or binding, you can check this while the front end is jacked up.
6. Has the rake or trail been changed with the Joker Triple Trees?
7. Speed at which the bounce occurred?
8. As stated above you may have lost a wheel balancing weight.
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information that is useful and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 894
From: Sacto
Those years of S Bobs had Integral handlebar clamps (i.e. no conventional risers or riser holes.)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,163
Likes: 1,906
From: Doghouse... mostly
If you've got a "hop" occurring in the front end, it's most likely that the front tire is having a balance issue of some sort.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 759
Likes: 936
From: Under the affluence of incahol.
If it keeps up in the long term, check tire condition, pressure and front wheel balance and that the front rim is running true within about 1/16th".
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