Front end wobble
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
Check the fall-away. Even with the windscreen, you should not develop a wobble. You may feel the effects of the wind a little, but a true wobble should not be caused by the windscreen. I have found with my Dyna, that the fall away needs to be set just a tad tighter than recommended in the manual. Also, my personal experience is that a fork brace really will not change handling much and will not stop a front-end wobble issue.
After checking the fall-away, if you still have the problem, here are few more things you can check that could contribute to a wobble. If you have spoked wheels (front or rear), check spokes to make sure they are tight. Check wheels to make sure they run true. Check tires for cupping and check tire pressure. Any of these things will contribute to a wobbling problem more than a windscreen.
After checking the fall-away, if you still have the problem, here are few more things you can check that could contribute to a wobble. If you have spoked wheels (front or rear), check spokes to make sure they are tight. Check wheels to make sure they run true. Check tires for cupping and check tire pressure. Any of these things will contribute to a wobbling problem more than a windscreen.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From:
okay JRK5892 sorry to ask this, but what exactly is "fall away?" and from experience i have to agree with the last two posts. especially since your bike is brand spankin new i would suspect possible error in set up with the front and rear wheels running true/aligned. tire pressure can also cause a slight wobble at speed. though i gotta say that when my rear tire has been out of alignment from the front it always seemed to create more instability under braking, not at speed. this, in my case, was on sportbikes. so prolly different story with a big, heavy hd.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 1
From: MA
okay JRK5892 sorry to ask this, but what exactly is "fall away?" and from experience i have to agree with the last two posts. especially since your bike is brand spankin new i would suspect possible error in set up with the front and rear wheels running true/aligned. tire pressure can also cause a slight wobble at speed. though i gotta say that when my rear tire has been out of alignment from the front it always seemed to create more instability under braking, not at speed. this, in my case, was on sportbikes. so prolly different story with a big, heavy hd.
the complete procedure is detailed in the service manual.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From:
thanks for the info glide05! geez, that is another new one to me. but that does seem like another reason a fella would have wobble at speed. i would imagine that is another item that is done or at least checked at the new bikes initial setup?
Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 1
From: San Marcos, Texas
Fall away is new to me.. I guess the wobble I had was a differant wobble. Now I don't have the wobble after I installed the fork brace along with the true-track.. I'm wobble free.....
Lucky me.....
Lucky me.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Upstate, SC
Well, let's remember that he did have them swap the stock laced wheels for the cast wheels off a std FXD, so they may hot have gotten everything aligned correctly when they put the cast wheels on.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,961
Likes: 263
From: Conroe Texas
I'll swing by the deler on Thursday and have them check the fall away, will be running up the miles on the Ultra this wekend so I have time. This is a real nice riding bike so geting it tuned in wont be a issue with me. Remember the wobble only happens at 80 or higher. Mean time the boxes of chrome are piling up waiting for installation. Thanks for all the info gents. I will have more Q's soon, probably more than a few about the chrome inner primary change out since you all convinced me to forego the simple inner cover from Kury.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Upstate, SC
You mentioning all that chrome made me think how glad I am that I chose to get the Custom at the last minute over the std FXD. I realized that one of the things I really liked about my Sporty was the polished aluminum cases and rocker covers, which isn't available on any of the Dynas that I've seen. Next best thing is chrome, and it was fun today going over every square inch of it with Pledge making it shine.
Oh, and so far the laced wheels are actually easier to clean than the cast wheels were on my Sporty. The rough finish on the cast wheels would get brake dust in there and it was a bitch to get out without using the pressure washer and a brush. With these chrome laced wheels I just spray 'em down with Pledge and wipe. I use a Swiffer duster to get the hub and spokes. Takes about 5 minutes per wheel and they were sparkling.
Oh, and so far the laced wheels are actually easier to clean than the cast wheels were on my Sporty. The rough finish on the cast wheels would get brake dust in there and it was a bitch to get out without using the pressure washer and a brush. With these chrome laced wheels I just spray 'em down with Pledge and wipe. I use a Swiffer duster to get the hub and spokes. Takes about 5 minutes per wheel and they were sparkling.
Last edited by Gary7; Jan 6, 2009 at 08:11 AM. Reason: Typo