High speed wobble
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 42
From: Bossier City, LA
High speed wobble
I had the opportunity to really ring out the bike tonight. First time I pushed it really hard since I've got it back together. I was catching up with some brothers after getting caught in traffic and was running 100 or so for about 3 miles, it was only 25 over so don't give me ****. Anyway, the bike had a weird feel in the front end that was unnerving. Sort of like it was dancing side to side. The bike feels great and super planted at 85 but over that I was white knuckling it. I noticed today that one of my fork tubes is a tad higher than the other, maybe half a millimeter. Hopefully this is the cause. I'm tearing back into the front end this week and I'll adjust it then. I don't usually run over 85 but I'd like to know the bike is with me if I need to. Anyone else has a similar experience?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,427
Likes: 2
From: Smack Dab in the Middle of Louisiana
I had to reset my fork tube height after I changed my rear shocks in order to get proper trail. It took three slight incremental adjustments to get it right. I have buried the speedometer several times with no wobble, although it was only for testing, as I do not like riding that fast on open roadways.
So my suggestion would be to double check your trail to see if it is in tight specifications. I forget off hand what the actual measurement is. The tubes stick up about 3/8" above the top triple tree, even if they are not flush like some people like for looks, it does not look bad, and it settled my front-end problems.
So my suggestion would be to double check your trail to see if it is in tight specifications. I forget off hand what the actual measurement is. The tubes stick up about 3/8" above the top triple tree, even if they are not flush like some people like for looks, it does not look bad, and it settled my front-end problems.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
How does it ride in the turns??
When I had a front end wobble with a tank slapper at 80 it happened to be my rear tire. I decided to try a different brand and that failed. Went back to the stock K591 and wobble gone.
This year hitting up a long sweeper on a bridge at 60 mph I hit the transition crack my bike started the weave. It was totally different from the tank slapper. It felt like the bike was swaying back and forth from left to right. That happen to be loose rear spokes. A week and a half ago I had the wheels retrued and torqued and last weekend I definitely put her to the test and she felt like a brand new bike. I was happy. I also did wheel bearings while the wheels were off. I have 15k miles on my bike and there was some light grit in the bearings.
I would check your fall away, do a rear wheel alignment and a spoke check. They say that if you feel it in the front the problem is in the rear.
When I had a front end wobble with a tank slapper at 80 it happened to be my rear tire. I decided to try a different brand and that failed. Went back to the stock K591 and wobble gone.
This year hitting up a long sweeper on a bridge at 60 mph I hit the transition crack my bike started the weave. It was totally different from the tank slapper. It felt like the bike was swaying back and forth from left to right. That happen to be loose rear spokes. A week and a half ago I had the wheels retrued and torqued and last weekend I definitely put her to the test and she felt like a brand new bike. I was happy. I also did wheel bearings while the wheels were off. I have 15k miles on my bike and there was some light grit in the bearings.
I would check your fall away, do a rear wheel alignment and a spoke check. They say that if you feel it in the front the problem is in the rear.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1,159
From: Northern Colorado
Mine does it too from time to time. 100mph+ and worse if I'm riding with my feet on the passenger pegs. I've read everything from out of alignment rear wheel, motor mounts, bad tires, All 3 of which I've eliminated as possibilities. Not alot of help I know, but hopefully this thread will pick up steam and we all can learn an answer.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 42
From: Bossier City, LA
Well I appreciate the advice. I'm pretty sure it could be any of the above mentioned items. I'm due for service, which I'll do, but I'll run the wheels to the shop to have em checked out.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 42
From: Bossier City, LA
Jaron- I can feel it moving around in the turns but it's more like the common dyna wallow. I'm adding a true track soon. The front end feels fine laid over but I can feel the rear wheel shifting like it out of synch with the front.
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