How many out there using True Track?
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 508
Likes: 2
From: Idaho Panhandle
)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
Kinda hard to believe, but a lot of people don't ever notice it.
Many of them just get used to it and don't see it as a problem if they don't push the bike at all.
Most aggressive riders will feel something isn't right and go looking for the cause.
You find all sorts of solutions. My personal belief is to effect as many of them as possible.
Simply looking at the Dyna chassis design should give you some clue as to why it can be unstable.
For my '09 SuperGlide I found that doing the engine alignment, shimming the front motor mount, upgrading the rear shocks and the chassis stabilizers all did something to improve the ride.
The Stabilizers (Sputhe, in my case) were probably the most marked improvement.
I've heard people talk about using fork braces also but with the 49mm tubes I don't think it's needed.
Again, that's only my opinion.
Many of them just get used to it and don't see it as a problem if they don't push the bike at all.
Most aggressive riders will feel something isn't right and go looking for the cause.
You find all sorts of solutions. My personal belief is to effect as many of them as possible.
Simply looking at the Dyna chassis design should give you some clue as to why it can be unstable.
For my '09 SuperGlide I found that doing the engine alignment, shimming the front motor mount, upgrading the rear shocks and the chassis stabilizers all did something to improve the ride.
The Stabilizers (Sputhe, in my case) were probably the most marked improvement.
I've heard people talk about using fork braces also but with the 49mm tubes I don't think it's needed.
Again, that's only my opinion.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 18
From: OREGON
Yeah, me too! Mines an '05, feels great, and I don't even think I've got the suspension settings optimized yet.... But this threads got me thinking!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 508
Likes: 2
From: Idaho Panhandle
Guess I better make this my last post in this thread ( could it be possible I might finally learn when to stop?) If ya don't feel like a stabilizer kit is needed on your bike, more power to you, and you save some bucks. I heard other guys with FXDXs' and Sputhe kits say they didn't think it helped that much, but apparently, it helped some. Comparing an FXDX to other stock Dynas ain't really fair- the bike came with the best stock suspension ever put on a Dyna- good adjustable Showa cartridge forks and decent shocks, way better then the FLD what with only one fork tube having a cartridge, and we don't need to talk about other FX's with the antique oil bath damper forks and winky shocks.I agree with some bikes having maybe more give in the isolators from the get go, and think there maybe variance in the swing arm bushings right from the factory floor also, which might make stabilizer improvements more apparent on one bike compared to another. Any road, ride safe everyone.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Dirty City
There are other ways HD could have rubber mounted the engine without mounting the swingarm to the transmission/engine assembly. The FXR had a rubber mounted engine and the swingarm pivoted off the frame. Some call the FXR the best handling Harley ever. Eric Buell fought with the designers to include the horizontal engine stabilizers on the Dyna's and they refused to do it. They omitted the stabilzers to save money...the same reason they stopped building the FXR...the frame had too many individual frame tubes, more welding and time was required to assemble the frame and it cost too much money to make. With HD's (new) hydro forming technology used on the V-Rod frame they could redesign the Dyna frame and assembly method to come up with an FXR rubber mounted style frame (frame mounted swingarm) that is less time consuming and less expensive to build.
Tech23
Tech23
I didn't say there aren't other possible configurations, or that the trade-off carried a net benefit. I said why it was done.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Dirty City
For the record, the Norton Commando used a similar layout where the engine cradle connected directly to the swingarm, but was itself rubber-mounted to the frame--this as done because lateral twisting would result in wear to the sides of the drive sprockets, as well as to the inside plate surfaces of the chain. As now, the same issues were noticed, but primarily resolved by simply tightening the mounts, either with shims or, later, with a threaded adjuster.
There's some pretty detailed info here:
http://ensanian.com/AE/NortonIsolastic.htm
If you want handling, solid mount everything. If you want comfort along with dependability, do it the way Harley did. If you want a compromise between the two ends, well, that's where the True Track comes it. It's all about where your priorities lie: there's no wrong answer.
There's some pretty detailed info here:
http://ensanian.com/AE/NortonIsolastic.htm
If you want handling, solid mount everything. If you want comfort along with dependability, do it the way Harley did. If you want a compromise between the two ends, well, that's where the True Track comes it. It's all about where your priorities lie: there's no wrong answer.
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For the record, the Norton Commando used a similar layout where the engine cradle connected directly to the swingarm, but was itself rubber-mounted to the frame--this as done because lateral twisting would result in wear to the sides of the drive sprockets, as well as to the inside plate surfaces of the chain. As now, the same issues were noticed, but primarily resolved by simply tightening the mounts, either with shims or, later, with a threaded adjuster.
There's some pretty detailed info here:
http://ensanian.com/AE/NortonIsolastic.htm
If you want handling, solid mount everything. If you want comfort along with dependability, do it the way Harley did. If you want a compromise between the two ends, well, that's where the True Track comes it. It's all about where your priorities lie: there's no wrong answer.
There's some pretty detailed info here:
http://ensanian.com/AE/NortonIsolastic.htm
If you want handling, solid mount everything. If you want comfort along with dependability, do it the way Harley did. If you want a compromise between the two ends, well, that's where the True Track comes it. It's all about where your priorities lie: there's no wrong answer.
What needs also to be considered is everyone's riding style and demands they place on the bike as well as what they expect in return. As I said, if, you for example are expecting the Dyna to be equal to a roadrace winning BOTT contender you need to pull that motor out of the stock frame and place it into a purpose built Road Race frame because otherwise you are going to be severely disappointed. Sadly if you do this comfort and street manners are off the table.
I beleive that these devices do their intended jobs well. Some will appreaciate them some will wonder what all the fuss is about because as stated riding style, demands, and expectations.
Bob
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
Guess I better make this my last post in this thread ( could it be possible I might finally learn when to stop?) If ya don't feel like a stabilizer kit is needed on your bike, more power to you, and you save some bucks. I heard other guys with FXDXs' and Sputhe kits say they didn't think it helped that much, but apparently, it helped some. Comparing an FXDX to other stock Dynas ain't really fair- the bike came with the best stock suspension ever put on a Dyna- good adjustable Showa cartridge forks and decent shocks, way better then the FLD what with only one fork tube having a cartridge, and we don't need to talk about other FX's with the antique oil bath damper forks and winky shocks.I agree with some bikes having maybe more give in the isolators from the get go, and think there maybe variance in the swing arm bushings right from the factory floor also, which might make stabilizer improvements more apparent on one bike compared to another. Any road, ride safe everyone.
Bingo...the FXDX should handle better than the other Dyna's because of the factory upgrade suspension and the 150 series tire on the early models as compared to the 130's the other Dyna's were equipped with. I agree with the assembly variances too...I've been to the York assembly plant many times. The bikes are slammed together.
Tech23