Lately the bike has started to have a front end wobble. Bike is smooth up until 42. Wobble comes on hard from 45 to 50 and then is smooth from 55 on up. This is straight line riding on smooth roads. It will do it accelerating, decellerating, or at constant speed. I can steady it by holding the bars but with a loose grip the oscilations keep building on themselves to a point where if I let it continue I would loose it. Since it started I have done the new washer for the front end clunk with no change. The tire pressure is correct and the spokes are tight. By eye, the rim looks true. The only recent change I have made to the bike in a switching from a set of Sporty bars w/ 4" p/b risers to a set of drag bars w/ 6.5" p/b risers. I have tried loosenning and retorquing the clamps and risers to no effect. I'm thinking the front Dunlop may be going. I planning on swapping out tires this winter.

If anyone has any ideas it would be appriciated. Trying to enjoy the last month of riding weather.

Thanks,
Joe

 

Joe, I never had the wobble you describe but switched to Metzler 880's on my Streetbob for other reasons- great tires. If you're considering replacement of the dunlops, the Metzler's are worth considering. Wear a little faster I'm told but better grip cornering. I also replaced the OEM rims with Excel aluminum rims. big improvement lowering unsprung weight. Ride safe. Jay

 

Thanks Jay,
I have them on my Sporty. As far as tires go its between those and the SE Dunlops. The Pirelli Night Riders would be in the running if they ever came out.

 

i had a similar problem but after i replaced my front tire the wobbling stopped.

 

Adjusted my steering head bearings and air pressure in my front tire and the wobble you describe at those speeds went away on my '07 WG. It came back some as the front tire wore down more. Replaced it and it went away again.
Tim

 

Try increasing your front tire pressure. I had the same problem as you and I took it to a dealer. Their solution was to raise the front tire about 5lbs, and it worked, but it is a stop gap method.

 

Curious, have you had to tighten the spokes more than once?
If so, check the holes in the hubs and see if they have elongated at all. I had this problem with the stock spokers on my 05. This is what ultimately made my decision to get rid of my spokers. I had to tighten about every 1500 miles, I have not had any wobble since.

 

sounds like you have a flat spot in your front tire or wear lines may be slightly off to only happen at certain speeds... sounds like you been riding the hell out of it!

 

The general consensus is the tire. How many miles do you have in it?
I picked up the wobble as I approached 19000 miles. And only noticed it when I took my hands off the bars at 80. Needless to say, I bought a new tire..
Disclaimer: I dont recommend this test. Improper application may result in serious death or injury (or one heck of a wild ride)

 

I have a good feeling as well that it is your tire.