09 Ultra Wobble
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Washington
09 Ultra Wobble
My 09 Ultra has almost 24,000 miles on it. Since it was new I get a pretty bad tank slap from 30-35 mph . I also get a severe wobble in high speed sweepers. I dropped it off at my local dealer yesterday and they have no clue. Here are the things I have done to my bike with no luck. First off my tire pressure is good. Tires have been replaced, chrome front end, new wheels, new rotors, head bearings adjusted and a true track installed (by true track). I seem to be out of options. Does anyone have an idea??
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
Tank slappers are initiated by a number of things. If your swing arm is loose, worn out or not aligned you can get wobble.
If your front to rear weight distribution is not centered you will get wobble. this is mostly due to the front forks having too much weight on them.
Neck bearings are a big factor. Even if they are adjusted properly they can get a flat spot which you would detect by holding the front tire off the ground and slowly turning the steering from left to right. As it passes center, if you feel a little clunk, you have a flat spot on your neck bearings.
This one is hard to detect but not impossible. One front fork not in line with the other one front to rear.
Front tire should be around 38 to 40 pounds & rear around 2 pounds higher.
How much travel do you get from your front forks if you squeeze the front brake & push forward on the handle bars?
Incorrect neck rake could help start a slapper. the closer your forks are to the frame of the bike, the more likely you are to experience this event.
A cracked frame that can flex or twist will also cause this.
Was your bike brand new when you bought it or was it a demo? If it has been repaired from a fender bender, it might have a frame alignment issue.
Start looking at your bike very closly for repairs, shims, everything the proper length or alignment.
Keep us posted on this!
If I bought a bike from a dealer & it was un safe, He would be trying to pull it back out of his hoop!
If your front to rear weight distribution is not centered you will get wobble. this is mostly due to the front forks having too much weight on them.
Neck bearings are a big factor. Even if they are adjusted properly they can get a flat spot which you would detect by holding the front tire off the ground and slowly turning the steering from left to right. As it passes center, if you feel a little clunk, you have a flat spot on your neck bearings.
This one is hard to detect but not impossible. One front fork not in line with the other one front to rear.
Front tire should be around 38 to 40 pounds & rear around 2 pounds higher.
How much travel do you get from your front forks if you squeeze the front brake & push forward on the handle bars?
Incorrect neck rake could help start a slapper. the closer your forks are to the frame of the bike, the more likely you are to experience this event.
A cracked frame that can flex or twist will also cause this.
Was your bike brand new when you bought it or was it a demo? If it has been repaired from a fender bender, it might have a frame alignment issue.
Start looking at your bike very closly for repairs, shims, everything the proper length or alignment.
Keep us posted on this!
If I bought a bike from a dealer & it was un safe, He would be trying to pull it back out of his hoop!
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
Are your rear shocks both set at the same pressure ? I am not too familiar with Ultra's, but perhaps one of the rear shocks is not quite right.Although i would assume they both air-up together and if one side leaks the other will come down too ?Also you may want to play around a little with air pressue, try a little below whats recommended, then work your way up.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Hatchetman,
Thanks for all the info. This bike was brand new with 9 mi on it. I have never let anyone else ride it so I know there has never been any damage. The dealer I bought it from was replaced (Bellingham Wa) and is now Mt Baker (don't trust them) but I do use a mech that has a vey good rep (Sound HD). I did have the fall away adjusted by Carson City HD at about 5,000 mi and checked again today. Forks were replaced with no help. I guess if they can't figure it out I will need to yell lemon law.. Thanks for supporting us.
Thanks for all the info. This bike was brand new with 9 mi on it. I have never let anyone else ride it so I know there has never been any damage. The dealer I bought it from was replaced (Bellingham Wa) and is now Mt Baker (don't trust them) but I do use a mech that has a vey good rep (Sound HD). I did have the fall away adjusted by Carson City HD at about 5,000 mi and checked again today. Forks were replaced with no help. I guess if they can't figure it out I will need to yell lemon law.. Thanks for supporting us.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Wow, tank slapper is a very out of control condition, how can you ride a bike for 24,000 miles like this? I hope you're still under warranty.
http://www.msgroup.org/tip.aspx?num=190
http://www.msgroup.org/tip.aspx?num=190
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
tank slapper?? I've never heard that..... what is it?
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