Used bike buyer beware
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 210
Likes: 7
From: Nor Cal
Used bike buyer beware
I bought an '05 Wide Glide a couple years ago and it's a great runner. But every time I took it over even smallish speed bumps at only moderate speeds it'd feel and sound like the forks bottomed out. Rough, pot-holed roads might mean 15-20 mph tops-the ride was just too harsh to handle more speed. On normal roads the problem didn't seem noticeable and I attributed it to poor suspension in any case.
Then the time came when I needed to change my front tire. Best time and money I ever spent. Because when I replaced the wheel on the bike, I noticed there was now a gap, that I didn't remember before, between the right slider and the right axle shaft spacer. I also noticed that the wheel turned more freely than when I took it off. I measured my fork tubes' CtoC, at high and low points, and found they were spot on. The problem was that the previous owner must've been a wannabe shade-tree mechanic (I hope it wasn't a shop!) and had obviously tightened the right-side fork bottom clamp before tightening the axle nut-with the result being "stiction", the binding of the fork tubes during travel due to non-parallel alignment.
Now I'm no longer causing traffic back-up on rough roads as the motorcycle soaks up bumps like a dirt bike! Well, not quite that good but, what a difference just the same! Moral of the story: check out used bikes well after purchase-you never know who's been working on them.
Anyone else have a used bike story to tell?
Then the time came when I needed to change my front tire. Best time and money I ever spent. Because when I replaced the wheel on the bike, I noticed there was now a gap, that I didn't remember before, between the right slider and the right axle shaft spacer. I also noticed that the wheel turned more freely than when I took it off. I measured my fork tubes' CtoC, at high and low points, and found they were spot on. The problem was that the previous owner must've been a wannabe shade-tree mechanic (I hope it wasn't a shop!) and had obviously tightened the right-side fork bottom clamp before tightening the axle nut-with the result being "stiction", the binding of the fork tubes during travel due to non-parallel alignment.
Now I'm no longer causing traffic back-up on rough roads as the motorcycle soaks up bumps like a dirt bike! Well, not quite that good but, what a difference just the same! Moral of the story: check out used bikes well after purchase-you never know who's been working on them.
Anyone else have a used bike story to tell?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
What you describe is very common among people that do not read the service manual for proper front wheel alignment. Sounds like you did the drill bit step and have it right now, what a difference proper procedures make.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
That is why I changed so many things on mine and put a Super Glide tank on it, wouldn't want anyone to know I ride an 05 WG
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 29
From: SE FL & Black Hills SD
Hmmmmm... Me thinks I need a front end alignment on my Wide Glide... A 99 when they were real Harleys LOL
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 987
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I absolutely LOVE your front fender! Where did you get it? Do they make one for my '11 WG?
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 210
Likes: 7
From: Nor Cal
Yeah-it's really just common sense. I didn't need the book on this one.