Front end wobble question
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
How worn are your tyres? I'm in the process of changing them on our two solos, three wheels down, one to go. On one bike I'm changing them due to age, on the other due to them having got to that critical point when the darned things start playing up. The rear especially can wear so there is a central flat zone, with left and right flanks, so the rear tries to steer the bike while on that transition. The front can pull a similar stunt.
So if your tyres are getting on in age, or well used, don't hesitate to chuck 'em for a fresh pair. Avons on all three of our twins now!
So if your tyres are getting on in age, or well used, don't hesitate to chuck 'em for a fresh pair. Avons on all three of our twins now!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
I developed a problem when I slapped on a Pirelli a few years back,got a wobble when letting go of the handle bars. My findings were....looking over the bars at the fender edge and tire at around40 mph,the right side of tire stayed true while spinning and the left side did not at all. I reset the bead and no change,added five lbs over pressure and it got much better so I ran it hard always. I know,I should have returned it to where it was installed.
Just mounted a Mich commander I I and can't wait to get on the road.
Just mounted a Mich commander I I and can't wait to get on the road.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,541
Likes: 6,413
From: Honah Lee
With all you have done and you are sure are what you say is correct, sure it is not the actual road where you are turning.
These bikes align with the front tires as far as going down the road. Sure, if you cranked the rear adjustment of the rear wheel all the way to the furthest setting, the front would still align. (what you would have besides the drive belt rubbing hard on side of rear drive pulley, is a slight parallel gap front to rear). Most Harleys do not align very well already and have a parallel gap as much as a 1/8".
You refer to three flats. On a Softail, the alignment for the rear to the swingarm is +/-1/32. That sounds like a heck of a lot of a lot of out of alignment but what is important is alignment for drive belt.
Just an opinion.
If it is truly not the test roads, probably the rear tire. Bet on the wobbly side, if you put a dial indicator on it, you will find a bump in it over on the chicken strip.
These bikes align with the front tires as far as going down the road. Sure, if you cranked the rear adjustment of the rear wheel all the way to the furthest setting, the front would still align. (what you would have besides the drive belt rubbing hard on side of rear drive pulley, is a slight parallel gap front to rear). Most Harleys do not align very well already and have a parallel gap as much as a 1/8".
You refer to three flats. On a Softail, the alignment for the rear to the swingarm is +/-1/32. That sounds like a heck of a lot of a lot of out of alignment but what is important is alignment for drive belt.
Just an opinion.
If it is truly not the test roads, probably the rear tire. Bet on the wobbly side, if you put a dial indicator on it, you will find a bump in it over on the chicken strip.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Feb 11, 2018 at 09:15 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Taking a 40 mph corner at 60+ will do it.
How worn are your tyres? I'm in the process of changing them on our two solos, three wheels down, one to go. On one bike I'm changing them due to age, on the other due to them having got to that critical point when the darned things start playing up. The rear especially can wear so there is a central flat zone, with left and right flanks, so the rear tries to steer the bike while on that transition. The front can pull a similar stunt.
So if your tyres are getting on in age, or well used, don't hesitate to chuck 'em for a fresh pair. Avons on all three of our twins now!
So if your tyres are getting on in age, or well used, don't hesitate to chuck 'em for a fresh pair. Avons on all three of our twins now!
I developed a problem when I slapped on a Pirelli a few years back,got a wobble when letting go of the handle bars. My findings were....looking over the bars at the fender edge and tire at around40 mph,the right side of tire stayed true while spinning and the left side did not at all. I reset the bead and no change,added five lbs over pressure and it got much better so I ran it hard always. I know,I should have returned it to where it was installed.
Just mounted a Mich commander I I and can't wait to get on the road.
Just mounted a Mich commander I I and can't wait to get on the road.
With all you have done and you are sure are what you say is correct, sure it is not the actual road where you are turning.
These bikes align with the front tires as far as going down the road. Sure, if you cranked the rear adjustment of the rear wheel all the way to the furthest setting, the front would still align. (what you would have besides the drive belt rubbing hard on side of rear drive pulley, is a slight parallel gap front to rear). Most Harleys do not align very well already and have a parallel gap as much as a 1/8".
You refer to three flats. On a Softail, the alignment for the rear to the swingarm is +/-1/32. That sounds like a heck of a lot of a lot of out of alignment but what is important is alignment for drive belt.
Just an opinion.
If it is truly not the test roads, probably the rear tire. Bet on the wobbly side, if you put a dial indicator on it, you will find a bump in it over on the chicken strip.
These bikes align with the front tires as far as going down the road. Sure, if you cranked the rear adjustment of the rear wheel all the way to the furthest setting, the front would still align. (what you would have besides the drive belt rubbing hard on side of rear drive pulley, is a slight parallel gap front to rear). Most Harleys do not align very well already and have a parallel gap as much as a 1/8".
You refer to three flats. On a Softail, the alignment for the rear to the swingarm is +/-1/32. That sounds like a heck of a lot of a lot of out of alignment but what is important is alignment for drive belt.
Just an opinion.
If it is truly not the test roads, probably the rear tire. Bet on the wobbly side, if you put a dial indicator on it, you will find a bump in it over on the chicken strip.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,101
Likes: 7,629
From: Poolville
If it only happens on left hand turns i would move the right side of the rear axle back 3 flats and try that in the same curve that this is happening in to see if it decreases it a little. Odd it's only on left hand turns... I once had a condition at 70+ mph in a long right hand curve (only) where i had this issue and by adjusting the rear axle it helped to alleviate my wobble.....
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
If it only happens on left hand turns i would move the right side of the rear axle back 3 flats and try that in the same curve that this is happening in to see if it decreases it a little. Odd it's only on left hand turns... I once had a condition at 70+ mph in a long right hand curve (only) where i had this issue and by adjusting the rear axle it helped to alleviate my wobble.....
After I check the chicken stip for deformaties (assuming there is nothing there) I think I'll try another 1/2 a flat and see what that does.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,541
Likes: 6,413
From: Honah Lee
When I first read your post, I had glance at you bike think it was a big Cruiser with the rear wheel swingarm mounted to the transmission. Is your old Softail a hardmounted EVO? I thought they had treaded adjust ments on the rear. Does yours have the cam plate?
How does your belt track?
I have a service manual on my laptop but did not bring it south and only have my phone.
How does your belt track?
I have a service manual on my laptop but did not bring it south and only have my phone.
Thread Starter
|
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
When I first read your post, I had glance at you bike think it was a big Cruiser with the rear wheel swingarm mounted to the transmission. Is your old Softail a hardmounted EVO? I thought they had threaded adjustments on the rear. Does yours have the cam plate?
How does your belt track?
I have a service manual on my laptop but did not bring it south and only have my phone.
How does your belt track?
I have a service manual on my laptop but did not bring it south and only have my phone.
My swing arm doesn't attach to the tranny.
Both of my bikes are hard mounted EVO's.
Swing arm alignment is done with threaded adjustments on the side not at the rear.
What cam plate???
The belt tracks far better now after that first adjustment.