"death wobble" - 96 wide glide
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: northern NJ
"death wobble" - 96 wide glide
I cant get rid of the death wobble at higher speeds that comes in around sweeping turns. bike had stock front end , fork oil and seals replaced, rear shocks were lowered an inch nothing crazy with a spacer kit. I have 20" apes , new wheels and tires which were balanced.i also had the triple tree bearings checked. I still get some frightening wallow / wobble which makes me have to back off the throttle to get out of. nybody know the cure for this? I checked tire pressures as well. ive had a springer with tall apes and rear slammes as well , never had this issue.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 739
From: Northern California
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,076
Likes: 7,601
From: Poolville
Does it feel like the bike wants to stand up in the corner? If so I believe this is more related to rear wheel alignment. Most known for Softail models but my 77 FXE does it as well around 70 mph..
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I cant get rid of the death wobble at higher speeds that comes in around sweeping turns. bike had stock front end , fork oil and seals replaced, rear shocks were lowered an inch nothing crazy with a spacer kit. I have 20" apes , new wheels and tires which were balanced.i also had the triple tree bearings checked. I still get some frightening wallow / wobble which makes me have to back off the throttle to get out of. nybody know the cure for this? I checked tire pressures as well. ive had a springer with tall apes and rear slammes as well , never had this issue.
What tires are you running?
When you say you checked the neck bearings what do you mean? Did you only check fallaway or what?
As mentioned above have you checked your wheel bearings?
Have you checked end play on both wheels?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,533
Likes: 7,867
From: Long Island, New York
I had a bad wobble on my Shovel, checked all the usual things, couldn't make it go away. Talked to tire manufacturer, they asked me to check the tire for round!?!? Well it was a manufacturer defect and my tire was a 1/4" out on one side of the wheel. They gave me a new one, and all is well now. Just a suggestion for something else to check.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 606
From:
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Assuming all the above check out, you might consider going with a Carlini Torque Arm. Dyna's have been known to 'flex' quite a bit. Another alternative is the aforementioned sway kit, and a rebuilding of the swing arm bushings.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: northern NJ
jeez... all good suggestion,\.
when I bought the bike, I changed all motor mounts with oem as they were all shot. I replaced both front and rear wheels (with new hubs installed) with new oem spec spokes / oem size tires. I didn't cheap out on the tires Dunlop up front / bridgestone in rear. the wheels were balanced and trued by a shop before I put them on. thought I had rear wheel out of alignment and had it checked again. you can see the wheel turning true. everything seemed tight , no play etc
as to if it wants to stand up , I would just say it just starts an oscilating type movement in the bars during higher speed 68-75mph about wide curves which can only be reduced with slowing down. seemed to be more in line with the thread that mentioned the v-tech motor mount
when I bought the bike, I changed all motor mounts with oem as they were all shot. I replaced both front and rear wheels (with new hubs installed) with new oem spec spokes / oem size tires. I didn't cheap out on the tires Dunlop up front / bridgestone in rear. the wheels were balanced and trued by a shop before I put them on. thought I had rear wheel out of alignment and had it checked again. you can see the wheel turning true. everything seemed tight , no play etc
as to if it wants to stand up , I would just say it just starts an oscilating type movement in the bars during higher speed 68-75mph about wide curves which can only be reduced with slowing down. seemed to be more in line with the thread that mentioned the v-tech motor mount
Last edited by domer94; Jul 2, 2018 at 08:50 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Did you replace the rubber bushings in the swing arm?
Those can cause wobbles on sweeping turns