death wobble
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Back to basics! I can't talk for Shinko tyres, never having knowingly even seen one, but I have used Avons on and off for over 40 years. They routinely advise higher pressures for Harleys than the stock tyres, so start by checking their website for your model and ensuring you are using the correct pressures! Soft tyres can do bad things and are our first contact with the road. If you are heavy add a couple of extra pounds to the recommended pressures.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 2
From: Mo
Checked the tire pressure added 4 lbs in the front tire per the techs recommendation... went and test rode it, interesting thing I found out....WOT there was a window between 70-80 that the wobble was present just a little, it didn't stay in the 70-80 mph window but a couple of seconds max because I was WOT...past 80 in disappeared! Slowed back down by just letting off the throttle, the wobble came back and disappeared once below 70mph. Steady at 70-80mph, the wobble is there!
Last edited by junglejoe; Jul 15, 2014 at 06:54 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 2
From: Mo
Just an update.. haven't been riding the bike because I've working like a slave in a sweat shop..but got back into town, and had to get my "fix" as soon as I stepped out of the truck, fired the bike up and went for a ride... I was coming into a curve and had to get on the brakes pretty hard and the bike went into a "VIOLENT WOBBLE"!! Almost was a bad situation!! I'm going to replece ((1)) part at a time, to try and fix this problem..mainly ALL the bearings and swing arm bushings and the motor mounts. I did agjust the neck bearings,if anything, maybe it's worse now!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,570
Likes: 590
From: almost there
Just an update.. haven't been riding the bike because I've working like a slave in a sweat shop..but got back into town, and had to get my "fix" as soon as I stepped out of the truck, fired the bike up and went for a ride... I was coming into a curve and had to get on the brakes pretty hard and the bike went into a "VIOLENT WOBBLE"!! Almost was a bad situation!! I'm going to replece ((1)) part at a time, to try and fix this problem..mainly ALL the bearings and swing arm bushings and the motor mounts. I did agjust the neck bearings,if anything, maybe it's worse now!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,965
Likes: 384
From: SoCal hi desert
mine developed a very mild version of this the last time out. been chasing a "wandering" sensation for a while, tried a Mich CM2 on the front-no real change. Got a little wobble feel in the mountains and took it to my indy. Both neck and swingarm bearings are shot. He says that's the fix. He said at 93k miles I got about twice what I should have out of them. He's going to get some of my money...
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
you're taking your wheels on and off... and it seems you're having slightly different results with the wobble each time
this tells me that your rear wheel might not properly be aligned with your swingarm, even though the rear axle adjusters might seem the same... you need to measure the distance from the center of the axle (dimpled) to a spot on the swingarm and make your adjustment accordingly....harley actually sells a 90 degree tool to do this, or you can make one up
this tells me that your rear wheel might not properly be aligned with your swingarm, even though the rear axle adjusters might seem the same... you need to measure the distance from the center of the axle (dimpled) to a spot on the swingarm and make your adjustment accordingly....harley actually sells a 90 degree tool to do this, or you can make one up
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
thought the same thing too, Hackd.... nobody mentioned it in the thread... i guess most probably take it for granted that any shop installing tires would balance them...but i've known guys who had tires put on and they weren't balanced
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
This is what I was thinking since you say it happens in a small MPH range...I would think if it was a mechanical problem it would be all over the place as far as MPH.