Front tire cupping
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
I'm on my second set of Michelin Commander II's. Got about 8K on the first set, and a few K now on the second set.
When the first set was taken off, cupping on the right side of the front tire was pointed out to me.
Everything I've read on this forum suggests that cupping is caused by underinflation, and I can't say that wasn't the cause on the first set, but I've been **** about the tire inflation on this set. Always run the front between 38-40 pounds, check pressure every weekend (I ride every day).
Yesteray I was checking the tire, and I am able to detect the start of cupping on the right side.
So the question I'm hoping those with a lot more experience than myself can answer: what can cause cupping besides underinflation? I've thought it must be something with the wheel alignment to the rest of the bike, but when I take my hands off the grips at any speed, the bike stays straight.
Can something be out of whack with the fork/wheel alignment that will let the bike ride true but still cause cupping? I'd like to have some sort of a reasonable cause before I take it to Harley and have them tell me it's my problem.
When the first set was taken off, cupping on the right side of the front tire was pointed out to me.
Everything I've read on this forum suggests that cupping is caused by underinflation, and I can't say that wasn't the cause on the first set, but I've been **** about the tire inflation on this set. Always run the front between 38-40 pounds, check pressure every weekend (I ride every day).
Yesteray I was checking the tire, and I am able to detect the start of cupping on the right side.
So the question I'm hoping those with a lot more experience than myself can answer: what can cause cupping besides underinflation? I've thought it must be something with the wheel alignment to the rest of the bike, but when I take my hands off the grips at any speed, the bike stays straight.
Can something be out of whack with the fork/wheel alignment that will let the bike ride true but still cause cupping? I'd like to have some sort of a reasonable cause before I take it to Harley and have them tell me it's my problem.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 116
From: Raleigh, NC
Usually it is more pronounced on the left as we tend to turn left more than right where we drive on the right side of the road. This is usually caused by riding style (braking late into the corner with the front brake), under damping on the front - turn up damping, install cart emulators or even slightly thicker fork oil, out of balance wheel, worn wheel bearings and sometimes under inflation (don't over inflate though or you will loose traction).
Now you've got me thinking of the fact that my front bearings were replaced during my 15K service (couple of K ago). I didn't hear it, but the mechanic who took it for a test ride came back and say that he heard something, put it up on his lift and listened as he turned the wheel, and sure enough, the bearings needed replacing. Apparently Harley is using some pretty shitty bearings the last few years.
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Steve On 3
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Apr 9, 2009 11:08 AM
