lowering the rear causing wobble?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis, MD
lowering the rear causing wobble?
I put on 11" rear shocks, effectively lowering the rear a couple of inches and now after riding for a month I have noticed that at speed above 70; when i hit a bump at high speed; or when i corner at speed, i get a slight wobble most noticeable in the front. Could this be because the trail of the bike changed? I also think my rear alignment might be just a hair off but I would only think that would cause improper tire wear not wobble. I'm wondering if a front end stabilizer would do the trick b/c i don't have a fender, but i didnt have one before the change and i don't recall getting these wobbles. Any thoughts or similar experiences?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: foresthill Ca
is it wobbling or that weird wallowing in the rear? I have the 11" shocks and was getting the wallowing in corners, but I have adjusted my pre-load on the rear shocks up 2 settings and it seems to have gone away. I can now corner twice the posted speeds and drag the pegs with no wallow, or wiggle 
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150
Likes: 1
From: Denver
It has taken off weight from the front, put it on the rear, changed the rake of the forks and the swingarm related to the pivot point. You should notice the front end turning slower and feeling a little less compliant on the small bumps. In the rear the swing arm is past the horizontal point and is now facing up which now shortens the wheel base with bumps. I'm guessing you have a tracking issue in the rear from your rear axle not being lined up or like said earlier the spokes being loose. You likely have had this issue before but with new stress introduced in the rear combined with an already flexy chassis/swingarm combo it is now noticable.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150
Likes: 1
From: Denver
Make sure your wheel is aligned, the head set is tight in the front, your spokes are tight and like earlier posted, adding a couple of clicks in the rear will undo some of the geometry. When a wheel looses path from flex it tracks to one side to a point where it gets torqued back and passes center doing it in the other direction. Back and forth. This is why jap sport bikes have crazy frames and swing arms.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
I put on 11" rear shocks, effectively lowering the rear a couple of inches and now after riding for a month I have noticed that at speed above 70; when i hit a bump at high speed; or when i corner at speed, i get a slight wobble most noticeable in the front. Could this be because the trail of the bike changed? I also think my rear alignment might be just a hair off but I would only think that would cause improper tire wear not wobble. I'm wondering if a front end stabilizer would do the trick b/c i don't have a fender, but i didnt have one before the change and i don't recall getting these wobbles. Any thoughts or similar experiences?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...wered-low.html
My bike can be one handed at 75-80 MPH and doesnt have any wierdness at speed. If you want yours to handle as well, you should follow the fork setup using the lowering info I put in that link. Setting up your bike to sit level (frame rails) while parked and the sag (1/3 of total remaining travel)adjusted properly front and rear goes a LONG way in a great handling bike.
From there you can upgrade to the Metz 880 Tires and be amazed at how well your bike will handle. I tried Dunflops, Kendas, and Metz 880s and lemme say that the Metz are absolutely amazing in what they did for my scooter.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
... and do the vehicle alignment procedure, as well as checking the preload and shimming it out, of the front motor mount.
I did this, and took the tru-track off my 'to buy' list.
I did this, and took the tru-track off my 'to buy' list.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Indiana
Loose spokes in the front or rear??
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 4
i have same shocks on mine and had same wobble at high speed it was so bad i thought i had a tire going down friend said lower front so i did with race tech now woggle is gone and handles like a sporty in twisties