Deathwobble
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
Was happening to me, very mildly. And yes, after I shimmed down the front bearing, it was gone. It's supposed to be a dresser only issue...
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
Happened to me first time last weekend. Did feel very odd and a bit unnerving. Will try to recreate in a bit more of an open space. If happens again, it will be enough for me to seek a correction.
Rear tire pressure was at 40, checked when I got home. Front was high but don't think that contributed to it.
Rear tire pressure was at 40, checked when I got home. Front was high but don't think that contributed to it.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 19
From: Middleboro, MA USA
I've never experienced that on a Softail. I'll admit the Softail is not to best cornering bike out there, but I've never felt anything like that when pushing it.
My Sporty was another matter. It was possible on that bike to hit a series of fast stutter bumps at just the right speed and bump spacing and have the front wheel jump from lock to lock, yanking the bars right out of your hands! Fun-NOT!
My Sporty was another matter. It was possible on that bike to hit a series of fast stutter bumps at just the right speed and bump spacing and have the front wheel jump from lock to lock, yanking the bars right out of your hands! Fun-NOT!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Gunslingertom, yes....you are correct. It was time to move on. Really diggin' this Softail. Can't wait for the apes!
Now I have a question. Has anyone on this board ever heard of this problem about other bike manufactures? Has anyone heard of a Goldwing wobble, an M109 shimmy, or a Ducati dance? Just wondering if this is a Harley issue or is it a universal motorcycle problem? I got to figure that if a Hayabusa did this at 160 or so miles per hour there would be some little Japanese engineer slicing his belly open just on principle.
Now I have a question. Has anyone on this board ever heard of this problem about other bike manufactures? Has anyone heard of a Goldwing wobble, an M109 shimmy, or a Ducati dance? Just wondering if this is a Harley issue or is it a universal motorcycle problem? I got to figure that if a Hayabusa did this at 160 or so miles per hour there would be some little Japanese engineer slicing his belly open just on principle.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 14
From: Sweden via Bisbee, Az.
Has anyone heard of a Goldwing wobble, an M109 shimmy, or a Ducati dance? Just wondering if this is a Harley issue or is it a universal motorcycle problem? I got to figure that if a Hayabusa did this at 160 or so miles per hour there would be some little Japanese engineer slicing his belly open just on principle.
Bikerlaw, the vid you posted really drives it home.
Time to bust out the bamboo sword so it hurst more.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
Now I have a question. Has anyone on this board ever heard of this problem about other bike manufactures? Has anyone heard of a Goldwing wobble, an M109 shimmy, or a Ducati dance? Just wondering if this is a Harley issue or is it a universal motorcycle problem? I got to figure that if a Hayabusa did this at 160 or so miles per hour there would be some little Japanese engineer slicing his belly open just on principle.
So I've never experienced this phenomenon on anything, and still not my bagger.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
Waaay back in a day and old Czech Jawa 350 did that to me. The rear bushings were probably worn from sidecar use (here you go, similarity with dressers' rubber suspension) and I made the matter worse by pouring some crap into the rear shocks. I flew over the handlebars. Still have a road-rush scar on my wrist 
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Now I have a question. Has anyone on this board ever heard of this problem about other bike manufactures? Has anyone heard of a Goldwing wobble, an M109 shimmy, or a Ducati dance? Just wondering if this is a Harley issue or is it a universal motorcycle problem? I got to figure that if a Hayabusa did this at 160 or so miles per hour there would be some little Japanese engineer slicing his belly open just on principle.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 1,192
From: Anywhere we stop
I had an 09, and it was better, but not cured. The problem is yaw, without the 3rd link keeping the rear swingarm and the rear of the transmisson straight and true with the front of the engine you get a rear yaw. Or rear steer, you really have to push it to get it to happen. Usually above 80mph and laid over, the longer the turn, the more likely it is to appear. The "Trakula" kit will all but eliminate the "rear steer" issue, and even better is you do the late model swingarm ugrade.
Coming from the mountains, and having before and after the third link experience on a 2005 Road King DD.......it is WORTH the cost of the upgrade. I will be doing my 89 soon.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 1,192
From: Anywhere we stop
Now I have a question. Has anyone on this board ever heard of this problem about other bike manufactures? Has anyone heard of a Goldwing wobble, an M109 shimmy, or a Ducati dance? Just wondering if this is a Harley issue or is it a universal motorcycle problem? I got to figure that if a Hayabusa did this at 160 or so miles per hour there would be some little Japanese engineer slicing his belly open just on principle.
Last edited by Mountainkowboy; Jul 4, 2012 at 06:36 PM.