97 FLSTS head shake
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 111
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From: Far, Far away
97 FLSTS head shake
I had new tires put on my 97 FLSTS and I now have pretty bad head shake ondeceleration. I did not notice it prior to changing the tires, but I had notridden it much either(I got two bikes). Since then, my local shop (who changed the tires) foundbad neck bearings and replaced. The shake is still there. They rebalanced thefront tire, checked wheel bearings and even swapped out the rear tire. I stillhave the same thing. Other than the rockers... I don't have a clue what itcould be. The bike has never been wrecked, dropped, kicked, etc. Anyone haveany ideas?
Thanks
Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 32
From: Massachusetts
replacing neck bearings doesnt mean they dont loosen up. lock the front brake and rock her back and forth. see if you can feel any play (helps to have a friend put a finger on the neck under the trees to feel for it too). I recently stripped mine apart to clean/repack the bearings, and it all loosened back up afterwards (I assume the bearings "set" completely once i rode it around a bit).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
replacing neck bearings doesnt mean they dont loosen up. lock the front brake and rock her back and forth. see if you can feel any play (helps to have a friend put a finger on the neck under the trees to feel for it too). I recently stripped mine apart to clean/repack the bearings, and it all loosened back up afterwards (I assume the bearings "set" completely once i rode it around a bit).
This only happens if they are not fitted properly in the first place, some people don't seat the races correctly before reassembly.
I would remove the balance weights from the wheel and test again.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: southeast Indiana
I like Cherrios
Has anyone heard of a FLSTS standing up in a corner and tracking into the oncoming lane? I had a bud who claimed that it happened twice on his 98'. He sold it soon after. Don't get me wrong, I'm not posting this to **** on anyone's Cherrios, but in the interest of safety, can this be possible with a springer front end? That said, in my opinion the FLSTS is the best looking model HD ever produced. Many believe that this is true, as currently this model commands a high resale price. I'd like to own one, big time, but I promised my wife that I'd only be a "one bike" owner for now.
Head shake, yes, I have a little on decal, but that been true of all the bikes, no matter what brand, that I've ever owned.
Head shake, yes, I have a little on decal, but that been true of all the bikes, no matter what brand, that I've ever owned.
Last edited by ironoxide; Sep 18, 2013 at 07:05 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Are you sure you have checked the rocker bearings on the springer front end for proper adjustment?
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
What brand of tyres are you using? While I don't believe they will cause the symptoms you describe, if you are using non-stock tyres make sure you are using the correct pressures. Visit the brand's website for their recommendations. Every little helps!
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Michigan
Has anyone heard of a FLSTS standing up in a corner and tracking into the oncoming lane? I had a bud who claimed that it happened twice on his 98'. He sold it soon after. Don't get me wrong, I'm not posting this to **** on anyone's Cherrios, but in the interest of safety, can this be possible with a springer front end? That said, in my opinion the FLSTS is the best looking model HD ever produced. Many believe that this is true, as currently this model commands a high resale price. I'd like to own one, big time, but I promised my wife that I'd only be a "one bike" owner for now.
Head shake, yes, I have a little on decal, but that been true of all the bikes, no matter what brand, that I've ever owned.
Head shake, yes, I have a little on decal, but that been true of all the bikes, no matter what brand, that I've ever owned.