Hey boys,

I bought a '95 FXSTC last fall and pretty much didn't ride over winter (job, kids, blah blah blah). Anyway, I am finally getting her out and riding and it is clear that my suspension is in need of help.

I got out on the freeway the other day with about a 20mph head wind... over 60 I thought I was going to lose the bike... It actually felt like I had a flat front tire (it was not). The wiggle was unbearable. I exited the freeway, and turned around (wind at my back) with no problems. It has a Memphis Shades (fats) windshield which I am sure was contributing to the issue, but it should have been capable of freeway speeds without that much wiggle.

A couple of days later I had the wife out... slightly less headwind (maybe 10mph), and we could get up to just a hair over 70.

So, as I am trying to diagnose this, here are my thoughts:
At first I assumed it was the front shocks, related to wind etc...
However, when the wife was on the back and I was more stable, that makes me think it is the rear shock(s).
Could it also be the neck? I haven't check fallaway yet as I have been travelling for work the last month straight (but I have a bike jack and the manual).

I am going to put Ohlins or Shotgun shocks on, as I rebuild.. but I would like to only have to buy what I need.

Could it be something else?

I am trusting that no one is going to tell me FX's just can't handle wind at speed... My past 2 bikes were Fatboy and RoadGlide, neither of which was much bothered by the wind, to this degree.

Thanks fellas!

 

Check your steering head bearing adjustment first. If the are too loose the bike will wiggle.

 

Thanks man. I realize that I need to hit this first, as it is simple to check.

 

Have you tried without the windshield? I got a wobble at a certain speed with the windshield and none without.

 

Yep the neck bearings need adjustment.

As for FXSTC's not handling well at speed I've had my '94 over 100 with no problems.
It also has a memphis shades windshield.

 

Here you go..........



BuzzCap7

 

Well, I managed to sort this out.. It's embarrassing to to admit what the problem was, but I wanted to share this, for any other retards that might have this problem.

Check your tire pressure gents.

The bike was sitting on 20psi front and rear. No ****, huh?

 

 

I felt it with her, but not as pronounced. With her at 65 it was a shimmy. By myself at 65 it felt like the bike was about to flip out from under me.

I got the air right today, and was cruising around solo @75ish, smooth as silk. As for the flat spot... That is totally possible also, as I have no idea how much it sat before I bought it.

 

**** man replace the tires.