Swing back test
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Bloomingdale, NJ
Swing back test
I have a 2017 Ultra Limited with a little over 32,000 on it. A few months ago I was on a trip and hit a sink hole very hard. A couple of hundred miles later my front wheel bearing failed. The bike hasnt felt right since. I went to check the steering head adjustment today. I dont feel any drag in the steering, the bike is level side to side and for and aft. No clunking either. But when I tap the fender, it doesnt swing back until well past the fender tip. To me that says its to tight, but how could that be? Am I doing something wrong with this test, or could I have bent something when I hit the sink hole? Any input would be very much appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 11,302
From: State of Confusion
I have a 2017 Ultra Limited with a little over 32,000 on it. A few months ago I was on a trip and hit a sink hole very hard. A couple of hundred miles later my front wheel bearing failed. The bike hasnt felt right since. I went to check the steering head adjustment today. I dont feel any drag in the steering, the bike is level side to side and for and aft. No clunking either. But when I tap the fender, it doesnt swing back until well past the fender tip. To me that says its to tight, but how could that be? Am I doing something wrong with this test, or could I have bent something when I hit the sink hole? Any input would be very much appreciated.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Bloomingdale, NJ
I didnt, but yeah I should check that. Do you have any thoughts on the swing back test? I shouldnt be having this issue with it. It is a pretty straight forward check.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 11,302
From: State of Confusion
no I don't, sorry..others here hopefully will help you having done this themselves before
Are u getting any low/med speed wobble?
My Limited didnt feel right after i hit a pothole. Ran it at diff speeds, gears, and rpms.
Took it to dealer and they were able to replicate the wobble under same conditions I noticed.
Replaced steering neck bearings instead of an adjustment. Now she runs straight and true.
Only has about 15k miles on the clock.
My Limited didnt feel right after i hit a pothole. Ran it at diff speeds, gears, and rpms.
Took it to dealer and they were able to replicate the wobble under same conditions I noticed.
Replaced steering neck bearings instead of an adjustment. Now she runs straight and true.
Only has about 15k miles on the clock.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Bloomingdale, NJ
Are u getting any low/med speed wobble?
My Limited didnt feel right after i hit a pothole. Ran it at diff speeds, gears, and rpms.
Took it to dealer and they were able to replicate the wobble under same conditions I noticed.
Replaced steering neck bearings instead of an adjustment. Now she runs straight and true.
Only has about 15k miles on the clock.
My Limited didnt feel right after i hit a pothole. Ran it at diff speeds, gears, and rpms.
Took it to dealer and they were able to replicate the wobble under same conditions I noticed.
Replaced steering neck bearings instead of an adjustment. Now she runs straight and true.
Only has about 15k miles on the clock.
I had that as well...slow speed in parking lot felt "wiggly" when turning....i thot i might have slight cupping on the front tire but didnt really think so as it looked and felt fine when I ran my hand over the tire ...but to.make sure I wanted to rule out the neck bearings first since it was still under warranty.
Service Mgr took it for a spin and said it was neck bearings. He mentioned hes seen more of if from 17s and up. Hes done the neck adjustments and its reduced but not eliminated...so he goes right to replacement of the bearings which solves the problem....as was the case with mine.
I had noticed it during an 8k trip a few weeks ago. At first I thot it was an an unbalanced load...so I emptied the bike at one of my hotel stops and ruled that out as well.
Got the bearings done last week and so far so good.
Service Mgr took it for a spin and said it was neck bearings. He mentioned hes seen more of if from 17s and up. Hes done the neck adjustments and its reduced but not eliminated...so he goes right to replacement of the bearings which solves the problem....as was the case with mine.
I had noticed it during an 8k trip a few weeks ago. At first I thot it was an an unbalanced load...so I emptied the bike at one of my hotel stops and ruled that out as well.
Got the bearings done last week and so far so good.
Last edited by FUJILICIOUS; Aug 30, 2021 at 11:49 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Bloomingdale, NJ
I had that as well...slow speed in parking lot felt "wiggly" when turning....i thot i might have slight cupping on the front tire but didnt really think so as it looked and felt fine when I ran my hand over the tire ...but to.make sure I wanted to rule out the neck bearings first since it was still under warranty.
Service Mgr took it for a spin and said it was neck bearings. He mentioned hes seen more of if from 17s and up. Hes done the neck adjustments and its reduced but not eliminated...so he goes right to replacement of the bearings which solves the problem....as was the case with mine.
I had noticed it during an 8k trip a few weeks ago. At first I thot it was an an unbalanced load...so I emptied the bike at one of my hotel stops and ruled that out as well.
Got the bearings done last week and so far so good.
Service Mgr took it for a spin and said it was neck bearings. He mentioned hes seen more of if from 17s and up. Hes done the neck adjustments and its reduced but not eliminated...so he goes right to replacement of the bearings which solves the problem....as was the case with mine.
I had noticed it during an 8k trip a few weeks ago. At first I thot it was an an unbalanced load...so I emptied the bike at one of my hotel stops and ruled that out as well.
Got the bearings done last week and so far so good.
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since you had an "event", just replace them to rule out that variable.
However, I'd be curious to know how many "off the showroom floor" HD's pass the swing back test when new. My bet is that is not done on the assembly line and many would not pass to begin with
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 148
From: Augusta, GA
Based on my experience, if you have a low speed wobble in parking lot, steering head bearings are loose. We’re the bearings greased and adjusted at 25,000 miles?
Last edited by robbie52; Aug 31, 2021 at 07:42 AM.