Death Wobble
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,137
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Animal
Head bearings / wheel bearings / motor mounts / rear wheel alignment (which could go back to the mounts) is where I'd focus
Once those are verified - suspension - tire balance
Scoot should run solid well over 80 - something is obviously breaking down
fwiw - dyna section - we get off on wrenching / diagnosing / modifying **** - feel free to drop in
Ghost
Head bearings / wheel bearings / motor mounts / rear wheel alignment (which could go back to the mounts) is where I'd focus
Once those are verified - suspension - tire balance
Scoot should run solid well over 80 - something is obviously breaking down
fwiw - dyna section - we get off on wrenching / diagnosing / modifying **** - feel free to drop in
Ghost
Last edited by Ghost_13; Jul 16, 2017 at 10:24 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,809
Likes: 38,652
From: Post Falls, ID
I assume you are referring to head shake and not the death wobble video recently posted? Head shake will intensify to a tank slapper if not controlled.
My '09 Road King did this. Dealer could not fix and just warned me not to let go of the handlebars. FWIW, my FXDC is stable at 80 and beyond.
My '09 Road King did this. Dealer could not fix and just warned me not to let go of the handlebars. FWIW, my FXDC is stable at 80 and beyond.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 411
Likes: 71
From: Texas hill country
Maybe take a step back and start simple. Take the shield completely off and take her for a spin, at 80. Maybe the mod you did is a contributing factor? And as others mention, these bikes can handle 80 with no problems. I'm just back from my Sunday morning ride...shieldless and 80+ for a small stretch of highway with not the slightest of a wobble or shake.
If not, see Ghost's response.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Good post. You may be correct in that it's a wrong description on the OPs description. I had that on my old metric cruiser and it was miserable over 65/70.
If not, see Ghost's response.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
I assume you are referring to head shake and not the death wobble video recently posted? Head shake will intensify to a tank slapper if not controlled.
My '09 Road King did this. Dealer could not fix and just warned me not to let go of the handlebars. FWIW, my FXDC is stable at 80 and beyond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSDihPynsBg
My '09 Road King did this. Dealer could not fix and just warned me not to let go of the handlebars. FWIW, my FXDC is stable at 80 and beyond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSDihPynsBg
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jul 18, 2017 at 08:38 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 735
Likes: 23
From: New Brunswick, Canada
Maybe take a step back and start simple. Take the shield completely off and take her for a spin, at 80. Maybe the mod you did is a contributing factor? And as others mention, these bikes can handle 80 with no problems. I'm just back from my Sunday morning ride...shieldless and 80+ for a small stretch of highway with not the slightest of a wobble or shake.
If not, see Ghost's response.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
If not, see Ghost's response.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 411
Likes: 71
From: Texas hill country
That's what the tech suggested when I talked to him over the phone yesterday,I did cut the windshield about an inch or so by speedy auto glass,so it was a professional that did it not by me,lol.It is adjustable on the forks,I did this for this reason,in case I screwed it up I can always put the windshield up on the forks back to where it was before I did the mod,just haven't been able to take it out yet,other things need to done around the house first,appointment at dealer is scheduled for Tuesday morning,weather permitting.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 735
Likes: 23
From: New Brunswick, Canada
Finally was able to take the bike out yesterday without the windshield and I also checked the handlebar bolts,they were tight,still same result,not very nice riding without a windshield at high speeds,anyways,it's raining here today was supposed to get in for service but now it's been pushed back to Wednesday afternoon,I'll let you know how things go.
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
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 411
Likes: 71
From: Texas hill country
Finally was able to take the bike out yesterday without the windshield and I also checked the handlebar bolts,they were tight,still same result,not very nice riding without a windshield at high speeds,anyways,it's raining here today was supposed to get in for service but now it's been pushed back to Wednesday afternoon,I'll let you know how things go.
And FYI - seems my FXDL loves it when I leave the shield off. I mainly cruise back roads though.
Safe travels.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
If it's a slow wobble in the front end, check the steering head bearings and that your steering head is adjusted correctly. Could be wheel bearings too. You're front tire will wear unevenly (in a scalloped kind of pattern) if it's your wheel bearings.
Only other thing I can think of is to check the motor mounts. Does the bike have any aftermarket stabilizers installed (True-Track)? Make sure everything is bolted snug down there. Do you have laced wheels? Make sure those spokes are tuned and not loose.
Curious to hear what you find out.
Only other thing I can think of is to check the motor mounts. Does the bike have any aftermarket stabilizers installed (True-Track)? Make sure everything is bolted snug down there. Do you have laced wheels? Make sure those spokes are tuned and not loose.
Curious to hear what you find out.