Ape Wobble ??
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 481
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From: Canada
Ape Wobble ??
14" apes on the Bob ...
Developed a wobble when cornering at 75mph or greater.
Any little bump in the road seems to set it off.
I have to be extra careful and really brace the bars.
Has anyone else experienced this.
Only started after I put the new bars on.
Developed a wobble when cornering at 75mph or greater.
Any little bump in the road seems to set it off.
I have to be extra careful and really brace the bars.
Has anyone else experienced this.
Only started after I put the new bars on.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,195
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From: Nor-Cal
RE: Ape Wobble ??
Did you happen to change the stock riser bushing to polyurethane? If not you should have. You also have to take into account that your more upright with taller bars and are going to be fighting the wind more now.(you've become a sail) That's all going to be exaggerated running at those speeds.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 100
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RE: Ape Wobble ??
center of gravity has changed.your fulcrum point has been moved so the same amount of pressure on the bars is now multiplied.try not to grip real hard on the bars when doing that manuever.welcome to the world of apes.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 481
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From: Canada
RE: Ape Wobble ??
ORIGINAL: darkside
Did you happen to change the stock riser bushing to polyurethane? If not you should have. You also have to take into account that your more upright with taller bars and are going to be fighting the wind more now.(you've become a sail) That's all going to be exaggerated running at those speeds.
Did you happen to change the stock riser bushing to polyurethane? If not you should have. You also have to take into account that your more upright with taller bars and are going to be fighting the wind more now.(you've become a sail) That's all going to be exaggerated running at those speeds.
I figured i'd run it with the rubber bushings for a bit and see, but after 1000 km run this weekend
I'm thinkin' I'd like to change 'em out.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,195
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From: Nor-Cal
RE: Ape Wobble ??
It can't hurt.With taller bars you have more leverage and the stock bushings tend to flex alot. It might be you just need to get used to the new riding position and the wind buffeting? The bushings will help make it more responsive to rider input.Hopeyou get it sorted out .Be safe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
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RE: Ape Wobble ??
You basically said what I would have said. I have 16's on my bike and they used to have a little play when I had the stock bushings on. On my last warranty checkup, I told the mechanic about it and they replaced them with the poly ones and it made it a lot better. I also agree about the sail thing. I feel like one also the faster that I go. I feel that it's just part of what a person has to go through if they want tohave apes.
ORIGINAL: darkside
Did you happen to change the stock riser bushing to polyurethane? If not you should have. You also have to take into account that your more upright with taller bars and are going to be fighting the wind more now.(you've become a sail) That's all going to be exaggerated running at those speeds.
Did you happen to change the stock riser bushing to polyurethane? If not you should have. You also have to take into account that your more upright with taller bars and are going to be fighting the wind more now.(you've become a sail) That's all going to be exaggerated running at those speeds.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Canada
RE: Ape Wobble ??
ORIGINAL: SPRINGER
You basically said what I would have said. I have 16's on my bike and they used to have a little play when I had the stock bushings on. On my last warranty checkup, I told the mechanic about it and they replaced them with the poly ones and it made it a lot better. I also agree about the sail thing. I feel like one also the faster that I go. I feel that it's just part of what a person has to go through if they want tohave apes.
You basically said what I would have said. I have 16's on my bike and they used to have a little play when I had the stock bushings on. On my last warranty checkup, I told the mechanic about it and they replaced them with the poly ones and it made it a lot better. I also agree about the sail thing. I feel like one also the faster that I go. I feel that it's just part of what a person has to go through if they want tohave apes.
ORIGINAL: darkside
Did you happen to change the stock riser bushing to polyurethane? If not you should have. You also have to take into account that your more upright with taller bars and are going to be fighting the wind more now.(you've become a sail) That's all going to be exaggerated running at those speeds.
Did you happen to change the stock riser bushing to polyurethane? If not you should have. You also have to take into account that your more upright with taller bars and are going to be fighting the wind more now.(you've become a sail) That's all going to be exaggerated running at those speeds.
Rode about 300 miles yesterday into a strong headwind for about 225 of those.
Hard on the arms and the neck, but nothing I can't live with.
The wobble on the turns is a bit worrisome tho.
Only at speeds 75 and above while in a turn. Not the ideal place to develop a wobble, to say the least.
Anyway, I'm gonna plan to swap out the bushings mid week and see if it helps.
Like darkside said .. .It can't hurt.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
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RE: Ape Wobble ??
No wobble what so ever. 16" Apes on an FLHRS
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
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RE: Ape Wobble ??
I have 18" on my rk custom. I have the stock rubber bushings. I have no wobble at all. If I hit a big bump and pull back on the bars, with force, they will shift down, and I have to force them back to where I want them. I was told the only real way to stop this is to add a couple of set screws. I will, if it ever becomes a big problem. Right now, it is just slightly irritating. I relax my grip when I see bumps in the road, and that has helped. BTW, you have checked your tire pressure, right?
