Pulling Left?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 100
Likes: 29
From: PA
Pulling Left?
Has anyone had their Dyna pull left and corrected it? Recently discovered that my bike likes to pull left if I let off the bars. Not really a huge problem since you don't ride with hands off the bars..ha..But its slightly annoying. I have checked my belt alignment with a home made measurement tool made out of welding rod and it checks out left and right, belt does ride on the left side of the rear pulley tho, not sure if thats an idicator but no belt fray or visable damage.. Also checked my vertical alignement by raising my bike on a stand, and putting an inclinometer on the front rotor and checking it against the rear rotor and it is spot on as well..
I can correct the pull if i hang my body weight to the right side while riding.
I read some posts claiming that if you have an aftermarket/lighter exhaust the bike will tend to do this since you elimanated weight from the right side of the bike and since the left side is heavier with the compensator/chain/clutch basket, etc not sure how true this is since comments in the reddit post also have people claiming to have an aftermarket exhaust and not have a pull issue...
I did install sportster 13 spoke mags but not sure if the issue existed before with my spoked wheels since I just found this out..
I can correct the pull if i hang my body weight to the right side while riding.
I read some posts claiming that if you have an aftermarket/lighter exhaust the bike will tend to do this since you elimanated weight from the right side of the bike and since the left side is heavier with the compensator/chain/clutch basket, etc not sure how true this is since comments in the reddit post also have people claiming to have an aftermarket exhaust and not have a pull issue...
I did install sportster 13 spoke mags but not sure if the issue existed before with my spoked wheels since I just found this out..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,543
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From: Honah Lee
Road crown, wind or a tire. There is a lot of sail sitting on a Harley.
More than likely one of those.
Even with alignment issues in back which would affect belt life, or crab walk the bike, the front corrects for that going down the road.
More than likely one of those.
Even with alignment issues in back which would affect belt life, or crab walk the bike, the front corrects for that going down the road.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: The Wasteland
I have had a few HDs do the same thing and checked everything I could think of and never got it figured out. Some do it, some dont.
I read another thread on this board about this same topic, and someone mentioned the clutch cable routing could affect how the bike steers if it is putting even a small amount of pressure on the bars.
Something to consider, I guess.
BTW- the belt riding to the left side of the pulley is normal. If you roll the bike backwards it will ride to the right, so nothing to worry about there.
I read another thread on this board about this same topic, and someone mentioned the clutch cable routing could affect how the bike steers if it is putting even a small amount of pressure on the bars.
Something to consider, I guess.
BTW- the belt riding to the left side of the pulley is normal. If you roll the bike backwards it will ride to the right, so nothing to worry about there.
Last edited by Bubba Zanetti; Aug 18, 2025 at 06:24 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,562
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From: Long Island, New York
I had a Shovel that pulled left, turned out the rear wheel adjusters were not adjusted the same distance, 1/4" out on one side. Straightened that out and bike has not done it since, good luck.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Cape Cod
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...as-a-lean.html
Even in my manual for testing FALL AWAY for the front end, it states to remove the clutch cable from the fairing so as not to impart any slight push to the right due to the way the cable is routed.
It comes from the right side of the bike, across the frame to the left side at the front of the frame at approximately a 20* angle.
The flex of the cable to straighten itself puts a little pressure on the left side of the fairing towards the right.
Thereby putting the bike into a left turn configuration.
Even in my manual for testing FALL AWAY for the front end, it states to remove the clutch cable from the fairing so as not to impart any slight push to the right due to the way the cable is routed.
It comes from the right side of the bike, across the frame to the left side at the front of the frame at approximately a 20* angle.
The flex of the cable to straighten itself puts a little pressure on the left side of the fairing towards the right.
Thereby putting the bike into a left turn configuration.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 100
Likes: 29
From: PA
Thanks for all the comments. Speaking about the clutch cable
I have a pretty long one on atm sknce the bike came with 16 apes and I went down to 12 t bars. Maybe Ill mess with that cable and report back.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2023
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From: Knoxville
Cables and stuff are a good first place to look, Larry’s on point.
Never had a tire cause a pull, I’m sure it can happen but I haven’t seen it. I did have some vibes at slow 20-30mph turning side to side, was a cupped front tire.
Good luck
Never had a tire cause a pull, I’m sure it can happen but I haven’t seen it. I did have some vibes at slow 20-30mph turning side to side, was a cupped front tire.
Good luck
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Road Master
Joined: May 2018
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From: Bay Area
If you can correct with just shifting your weight more to the right side of the bike, I would call that more of a drift than a pull, but I would look at rear wheel alignment first. Clutch cable, as mentioned could be a factor but if it is playing a part I would think you'd notice it in restrictions when turning, or your neck bearing is really loose to allow any "pull" on one side steer the bike.
Its easy to check wheel alignment, either with the tool or you can make one with welding rod and a piece of tape, or even two screwdrivers and string. But if the left side sits slightly farther back in the swingarm than the right it could cause a drift. I cant remeber if the Dynas have a vertical motor alignment to adjust like baggers and FXRs but if so that could be a factor too.
Its easy to check wheel alignment, either with the tool or you can make one with welding rod and a piece of tape, or even two screwdrivers and string. But if the left side sits slightly farther back in the swingarm than the right it could cause a drift. I cant remeber if the Dynas have a vertical motor alignment to adjust like baggers and FXRs but if so that could be a factor too.
Last edited by Jake707; Aug 21, 2025 at 10:40 AM.
Banned
Joined: May 2025
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From: United States
Check your rear wheel alignment next. Even if the belt looks straight, the axle might be cocked in the swingarm. Also, a worn or unevenly set rear shock can cause a pull. The exhaust weight theory is less likely unless it's extremely unbalanced.
