Front end shake 1996 Fatboy
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
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Front end shake 1996 Fatboy
I read about the high speed wobble in some of the other post. The problem I have is different. Everytime between 37 and 42 mph my front end shakes excessively during deceleration. It starts at 42 and stops at 37. Same thing every time. Here some of the possible solutions I have heard about:
1. Tires: I have a Metzeler 880in the rear and dunlop in the front. Could it make a difference if I tried the Metzeler in the front?It was exactly the same when I still had my Dunlop in the rear.
2. Front end bearing worn out: When I put the bike on the lift stand with the front tire in the air, I realize that the steering "clicks" into place when the wheel is pointed straight. Somebody told me that the bearing wears out faster in the straight position because that's where all the breaking occurs.
3. Added equipment: I added saddlebags, Heritage Softail handlebars and the usual chrome stuff
Thanks for your help!
1. Tires: I have a Metzeler 880in the rear and dunlop in the front. Could it make a difference if I tried the Metzeler in the front?It was exactly the same when I still had my Dunlop in the rear.
2. Front end bearing worn out: When I put the bike on the lift stand with the front tire in the air, I realize that the steering "clicks" into place when the wheel is pointed straight. Somebody told me that the bearing wears out faster in the straight position because that's where all the breaking occurs.
3. Added equipment: I added saddlebags, Heritage Softail handlebars and the usual chrome stuff
Thanks for your help!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 443
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From: Easton, Pa.
RE: Front end shake 1996 Fatboy
Sounds like lack of maintenance. Head Bearing ajustment. grease.To late for that now!
If you hear a click bearing race might be cracked.?
This a job for your Harley Shop. Some 1 who knows how to installed the races/bearings.There is special drivers just for this job.Your life and the person riding on back depends on the job done right!
Be careful steering can lock up.
Mixing brands of tires is a big no, no.,on motorcycles
If you hear a click bearing race might be cracked.?
This a job for your Harley Shop. Some 1 who knows how to installed the races/bearings.There is special drivers just for this job.Your life and the person riding on back depends on the job done right!
Be careful steering can lock up.
Mixing brands of tires is a big no, no.,on motorcycles
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6th Gear
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RE: Front end shake 1996 Fatboy
I don't think it's that bad. That clicking I was talking about is not a noise it's more like there is a little dent in the baring race or something and you feel a litttle bit of resistance when thewheel is in the air and you start turning it.I guess I'll take it apart and check it out, can't hurt.
I heard a lot of different things about mixing tires, some people say no never, others say it doesn't matter. I just finished a 3,500 mls round tripwith that tire combination (tire was new when I left) and I had no problems at all. I probably use up my front tire and then buy a matching one.
Thanks.
I heard a lot of different things about mixing tires, some people say no never, others say it doesn't matter. I just finished a 3,500 mls round tripwith that tire combination (tire was new when I left) and I had no problems at all. I probably use up my front tire and then buy a matching one.
Thanks.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 448
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From:
RE: Front end shake 1996 Fatboy
- if that head-bearing "click" can be felt , then probably the
head will need to be opened up and inspected.
- have a 1996 Heritage Softail and it doesn't do thishead-shake
thing.Be very careful withyour bike if it head-shakes.
- have you tried to grease the head bearings throught the
grease nipple on the left of the steering head ? You'll need a
bit of rope to wrap-around and close off the lower race (if not,
all the grease will come out the lower race). No harm trying
this prior to deciding whether to open up the head.
cheers
.
head will need to be opened up and inspected.
- have a 1996 Heritage Softail and it doesn't do thishead-shake
thing.Be very careful withyour bike if it head-shakes.
- have you tried to grease the head bearings throught the
grease nipple on the left of the steering head ? You'll need a
bit of rope to wrap-around and close off the lower race (if not,
all the grease will come out the lower race). No harm trying
this prior to deciding whether to open up the head.
cheers
.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
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From:
RE: Front end shake 1996 Fatboy
I think it either comes done to that or the bearings. Will check into both and let y'all know.
Thanks again for your comments.
Thanks again for your comments.
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
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RE: Front end shake 1996 Fatboy
Check the neck bearings and do it soon. My 98 FLSTS went through an occasionl front end wobble and I didn't worry too much, just thought it may have been the road. It went into a bad wobble early one morning at about 25mph. That was as closeasI evercame to going down and still controling it. I took her back to the house and puther up on the stand too check for excessive looseness. The maintenace manual gives a long drawn out method for checking the adjustment. Bottom line is with the front wheel floating, center the wheel and tap the fender to wards each side, at 1 to 2 inches from center the wheel should fall away all the way to the side. If it falls back to center, as mine did, you are way too loose. Check the bearings anyway instead of just tightening them. Mine had grooves in the outer races that were easily visible. If you wrench your own the bearings and races can be reomoved and reinstalled with common hand tools. You will need to heat the lower bearing to install it on the shaft.
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