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I've had this bike for 6 years now and have taken it to numerous dealers and private shops multiple times. I've had the neck bearings, wheel bearings and engine mounts replaced, gone through multiple sets of tires and it still doesn't handle like it did the first 2 years I had it. Is there something else I need to check or replace? It's a 1999 if that matters.
Have you made any changes to it, such as higher handlebars? When did you change the exhaust? Silly things can affect handling, such as tension due to high noise levels, or gripping the bars tight due to either wind-blast. Try a set of cheap foam ear plugs - best tuning aid known to man. If the 'wobble' changes for the better we have something to work on.
Have you made any changes to it, such as higher handlebars? When did you change the exhaust? Silly things can affect handling, such as tension due to high noise levels, or gripping the bars tight due to either wind-blast. Try a set of cheap foam ear plugs - best tuning aid known to man. If the 'wobble' changes for the better we have something to work on.
I changed the exhaust a week after I got it and I didn't notice any wobble after that. Each time I've had the tires changed and balanced it'll ride good for a few hundred miles and start to wobble more and more. When I got the neck bearings replaced it went away for another few hundred miles so, I replaced the motor mounts and that also lasted a few hundred miles. I've been retorqing the neck about every 200 miles and it seems to go away for a bit then starts to wobble again.
Put a jack under the frame toward rear, unbolt shocks, tops or bottoms it don't matter
Have someone steady the bike and vigorously try to move the swing arm Port and Starboard.
ANY movement lately is time for a swing arm rebuild.
I really do recommend that you try ear plugs. May not sound like a good idea, but I've been using them for over 40 years. They reduce noise levels, reduce tension and will allow you to relax more. If you are gripping the bars tight at speed (you may not be aware if you are) your bike will wobble a little. That little experiment will cost you a few cents (most bike shops of all brands here in the UK sell ear plugs) and is well worth doing.
Another consideration is your tyre pressures. Especially if you are heavy, consider increasing pressures a little. Do so in small steps and especially in the rear tyre.
The adjustments you mention, which only last a short distance, are I suspect a distraction. I suspect they are nothing to do with the wobble, which I suspect is rider induced, not mechanical, hence my suggestions above. The reason I recommend ear plugs is very simple. My first Harley was a new FX1200, with cow-horn bars. That 'wobbled' at speed. Changing tyre brand from the abysmal stock Goodyears helped, but a complete cure was ear plugs, which reduced the tension I put into the bike through tense hands and arms, due to noise levels. Do try them, you may be surprised!
I really do recommend that you try ear plugs. May not sound like a good idea, but I've been using them for over 40 years. They reduce noise levels, reduce tension and will allow you to relax more. If you are gripping the bars tight at speed (you may not be aware if you are) your bike will wobble a little. That little experiment will cost you a few cents (most bike shops of all brands here in the UK sell ear plugs) and is well worth doing.
Another consideration is your tyre pressures. Especially if you are heavy, consider increasing pressures a little. Do so in small steps and especially in the rear tyre.
The adjustments you mention, which only last a short distance, are I suspect a distraction. I suspect they are nothing to do with the wobble, which I suspect is rider induced, not mechanical, hence my suggestions above. The reason I recommend ear plugs is very simple. My first Harley was a new FX1200, with cow-horn bars. That 'wobbled' at speed. Changing tyre brand from the abysmal stock Goodyears helped, but a complete cure was ear plugs, which reduced the tension I put into the bike through tense hands and arms, due to noise levels. Do try them, you may be surprised!
I'll try em even though I'm pretty sure I couldn't get any more relaxed. I usually ride it to relax. It used to start wobbling from 65 to 80mph. Now it wobbles around 50 to 60mph. I have tried different tire pressures and I weigh 160lbs.
Well weight and tyre pressures shouldn't be a problem! If you were twice that they could come into the equation. A friend of mine also has a WG, a TC88, which he recently had high end cartridges and shocks fitted to - has transformed that darned bike. He has to keep an eye on the speedo, to avoid going too much into triple figures!
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