Help with suspension
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 19
From: Southcentral, OK
Help with suspension
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!
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!
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 19
From: Southcentral, OK
Thanks man. I realize that I need to hit this first, as it is simple to check.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
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.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 19
From: Southcentral, OK
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?
Check your tire pressure gents.
The bike was sitting on 20psi front and rear. No ****, huh?
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,430
Likes: 7,124
From: Beyond Fucital
But you didnt feel it with the OL on the back. You not only had low air but more than likely a flat spot front and rear that corrected itself once it warmed up.
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Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 19
From: Southcentral, OK
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.
