So Annoying to ride my bike!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Had what appeared to be a wideglide that the handle bars were off to the right but bike rode straight. I actually measured the front end and checked alignment from several fixed points. Turned out to be a dominate eye illusion. I did change out those rubber isolation bushings for poly bushings. More vibration but less flex.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
LOL! this is to strange....I have three different Harleys to ride. On everyone of them it seems to me like the right side handlebar is just a little closer into me. Are all Harley's handlebars slightly cocked to bring the throttle grip closer into the rider? Maybe its the way I sit or something but I have this experience on every one I ride. Weird
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 2
From: Salinas, CA
My bike is the same. My right hand seems closer than the left. I've messed with the bars and it still has the same effect. I'm thinking it's an optical illusion or maybe I sit more to one side or the other without realizing it. I could see the worry with the bike having gone down. Maybe have someone else sit on it with the front wheel straight and get on a ladder and look at it from above?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
If it's the bars that are actually bent, they are easily straightened by removing the grip and bending them back using a pry bar inserted into the end of the handlebars for leverage. You may not even need the pry bar to tweak them back. Done it many times on dirt bikes but it has also worked on several dropped HD's.
It's much easier if you have a lift table with a wheel clamp. You can sit on the bike and get a before and after close-up view of your progress. Plus, sometimes it's necessary to loosen the triple clamps and re-align the whole front end.
Takes some time and muscle but you'll get it.
It's much easier if you have a lift table with a wheel clamp. You can sit on the bike and get a before and after close-up view of your progress. Plus, sometimes it's necessary to loosen the triple clamps and re-align the whole front end.
Takes some time and muscle but you'll get it.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Had what appeared to be a wideglide that the handle bars were off to the right but bike rode straight. I actually measured the front end and checked alignment from several fixed points. Turned out to be a dominate eye illusion. I did change out those rubber isolation bushings for poly bushings. More vibration but less flex.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 621
Likes: 19
From: Glendora, Southern Calif
well I think the stealership option is out of the question, I do not have the money to send in for labor. I've gotten pretty adapt at wrenching around so I'm gonna try some of the advice given here. Just not sure if it's a simple fix or actually something much deeper.
Thing is, like I said, I was riding fine for 2 weeks after the bike got repaired.
Thanks so much guys! Anyone else with similar experiences please share!
Thing is, like I said, I was riding fine for 2 weeks after the bike got repaired.
Thanks so much guys! Anyone else with similar experiences please share!
Last edited by harlot; Feb 2, 2012 at 01:22 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 3
From: NorNev
You might want to look at this from forum sponsor MotorcycleMetal(FastHarley).
Harley Davidson Wheel Alignment Made Simple
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/Download18.html
Harley Davidson Wheel Alignment Made Simple
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/Download18.html