Hi Guys,
So yesterday I went out for a short run and noticed within the first 1/2 mile as i was coming to the stop sign and down shifting the rear of the bike wobbled left and right a bit once i hit the lower gear from 3 to 2, and then again from 2 to 1. I pulled over and check the bike to see if I had a flat...but nothing. I proceeded on and again approaching the next stop I noticed the same shimmy/wobble on the down shift...looked again, checked air pressure and all was good. Noticed a third time and then nothing after that for the rest of the ride. I took it out this am and once again...different places, but a wobble on the down shift from the rear...I turned around and parked it back in the garage. It is not a quick shimmy left and right, but more of if I was riding with a bent rim and it rolls more left and right if that helps.

Checked tire pressure, checked to see if rear wheel was tight and all good...any suggestions would be helpful. I have an 01 wide glide...it seems as if it is happening withing the first 5 minutes and then nothing...mabe after tire warms up it goes away. Thanks

 

Did you check your wheel weights? Did you throw one?

 

Loose spikes. Hit them with a small tool/ wrench. They should be a sharp ring. A thud sound means they are loose.

 

Solid back rim, and I am gonna check to see if I threw a weight.. Having a buddy stop over today to take a look...he has been wrenching on bikes for 30+ years...maybe he will figure it out.

 

Sounds like it might be a tire issue. When cold the rubber is stiff and if you have any separation it may not be obvious.

Diagnosing Tire Vibrations

(I realize this article is auto specific, but the tire info is the same.)

One of the most common problems is a complaint that the car shakes at a certain speed. Any vibration that feels like a lateral, or side to side shake that is most intense between 10 and 40 miles per hour is a problem with a tire, rather than a bent wheel. Block the wheels so the car will not roll. Put the car in neutral to allow the tires to rotate.

Jack up the car one wheel at a time. Rotate the tire while looking straight at the tread.

While the tire is turning, stand directly behind the tire and look for a part of the tread to have a lateral shift from side to side in one spot. It is easy to spot, as the tread lines should remain straight as you turn the tire.
If you notice a wavy pattern in a particular spot, you found your problem. This is a separated tire. A tire separates when the tire becomes overheated. The tread is separating or coming loose from the carcass of the tire. Look for obvious things, such as high spots or bumps indicating a separation due to an impact or defect in the tire. Look at both sides of the tire. If no irregularities are present, then proceed to the next tire until you locate the culprit.

A separated tire is a dangerous situation since the tire will go flat or the tread will come off while the car is in motion, and could cause considerable damage or an accident. The only remedy is to replace the tire.
The next possible cause, though not as likely, would be a bent rim. Hitting a curb or a pothole could cause a bent rim. This usually is a bit harder to determine as you have to know how to check for runout. If you don't find a tire problem, then take the vehicle to a tire shop and ask them to check for a bent rim. They will put the tire on a balancing machine.
Another vibration problem is at higher speeds - usually 45 mph and higher. This is always the balancing of the tire. Simply take the tires to a shop and have them balanced.

Remember that as the tires wear down they decrease in weight, hence the balancing changes. It is very important to remember to not over tighten the lug nuts on your wheels. This can do two things - warp the brake rotors causing a vibration and also makes it impossible for you to get the tire off alongside the road should you get a flat.

This covers 95 percent of all vibrations encountered that are consistent. Any vibrations that only occur once in a while or under certain circumstances and cannot be duplicated easily are usually wear related.


Published by Don Bowman

 

I had a severe wobble on decel between 40-50 mph. I replaced the front tire and it went away.

 

I too had a severe wobble on deceleration on my Sportster. Replacing the front tire cured it.

 

Try down-shifting at a lower speed, so that very little compression braking is applied, and see how it reacts.