Help-Recommend an Indy along the PCH?
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 234
Likes: 4
From: Courtenay, BC, Canada
Help-Recommend an Indy along the PCH?
1988 FLHTP. Taking a trip from British Columbia to LA. Developed a bit of a wobble at high speed. Mostly when on the Interstate at high speed. Feels like wind buffeting. I do have a new taller windshield on...could be that? Its not front end, I experienced bad neck bearings....not the same wobble. Just had new tires put on. They were balanced and the bearings greased. End play was check last time bearings and races were changed 2 years ago. Figure I would get the wheels off and get the check end play, balance etc. Any suggestion appreciated. Thx
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Check the tyres are the right way round and also air pressures. If you were loaded with luggage, or 2-up, use higher pressures, the owners manual pressures are too low IMHO. Check swingarm bushings. If there is any movement change to solid ones if you still have the stock cleve blocks.
You will get buffetting at speed, that is the price of riding behind a barn door (that comment applies to all Harleys with a shield of some sort). To ride at speed everything has to be just so. Other things that can affect handling are the engine rubber mounts, especially rear, wheel and vehicle alignment.
You will get buffetting at speed, that is the price of riding behind a barn door (that comment applies to all Harleys with a shield of some sort). To ride at speed everything has to be just so. Other things that can affect handling are the engine rubber mounts, especially rear, wheel and vehicle alignment.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Unless they are new, cleve blocks are likely to have a little sideways movement, when heaving on the wheel. Otherwise, if you know the bike's history and replacement swingarm bushings do not feature, simply remove the swingarm and install a solid bushing kit, available from several suppliers.
It seems odd to say so, but on the road a change to solid bushings is easy to feel! Not so easy to tell if you are riding on old ones. I replaced mine as part of a package of improvements I identified from spending way too much time on HDF! The bike is transformed. When I had my S&S engine installed the indy told me my bike was the first he'd fitted with a big engine that he trusted to ride on wet roads! He wanted to know all about True-Track.......
It seems odd to say so, but on the road a change to solid bushings is easy to feel! Not so easy to tell if you are riding on old ones. I replaced mine as part of a package of improvements I identified from spending way too much time on HDF! The bike is transformed. When I had my S&S engine installed the indy told me my bike was the first he'd fitted with a big engine that he trusted to ride on wet roads! He wanted to know all about True-Track.......
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 234
Likes: 4
From: Courtenay, BC, Canada
We're in San Rafael tonight. Should be around your area tomorrow. We are spending 3 days in LA, so I could get it looked at then. Also 3 days in Vegas...��...could do it there too. Just did the switchbacks down to the coast and it felt pretty tight ( as much as it can be...lol). Wind buffeting is still bad on the freeway though. Just want to rule out the wheel balance, bearings, swing arm, etc. I just dont remember this happening last year, but i did replace the windshield and put new tires on so....
Thx
Shov
Thx
Shov
Last edited by shovhd; Jun 4, 2013 at 12:03 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: southeast Indiana
dealer maybe?
Perhaps you could call a dealer ahead of time and make an appointment. Suggest a few items and make sure that they have the parts in stock. That should help minimize your down time.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
We're in San Rafael tonight. Should be around your area tomorrow. We are spending 3 days in LA, so I could get it looked at then. Also 3 days in Vegas...��...could do it there too. Just did the switchbacks down to the coast and it felt pretty tight ( as much as it can be...lol). Wind buffeting is still bad on the freeway though. Just want to rule out the wheel balance, bearings, swing arm, etc. I just dont remember this happening last year, but i did replace the windshield and put new tires on so....
Thx
Shov
Thx
Shov
We have a decent dealer here in Atascadero, Gary Bang HD and Santa Maria HD. Been real foggy along the coast up here and highs only in the 60's.
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