Rushmore touring neck bearing swing back
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 73
From: Sunshine state
Rushmore touring neck bearing swing back
Has anyone ever successfully completed the published swing back check on a Rushmore touring bike?
I attempted to perform the swing back test, as outlined in the service manual, on my 19 RG. I even leveled the bike as specified in the FSM. Problem is I could only get 1 of the 2 required steps to pass, no matter how tight or loose I adjusted the steering stem.
Heres the issue: Step 1 mandates that marks (3) must stop between marks (1) and (2). No matter how I adjusted it (tight or loose) It wouldnt pass this step. Marks (3) wouldnt even come close to stopping between marks (1) and (2).
Step 2, on the other hand, worked perfectly. The tighter the steering stem is, the wider the distance is between marks (3). You adjust the neck bearing to achieve the dimension between steps (3) as specified in the FSM, depending on model. No problem whatsoever with this step.
Im ready to call BS on step 1. I would really like to talk to the engineer at the HD factory that came up with this. That would never happen; they would just tell me to take it to the dealer .I seriously wonder if the dealer performs this step.
My bike is fine and Im happy with the neck adjustment even though it fails step 1 miserably.
I dont have a PDF of the procedure to post, but Doc Harley explains it well starting at the 4:40 mark in this video: Notice the bike in the video also doesnt pass step 1.
I attempted to perform the swing back test, as outlined in the service manual, on my 19 RG. I even leveled the bike as specified in the FSM. Problem is I could only get 1 of the 2 required steps to pass, no matter how tight or loose I adjusted the steering stem.
Heres the issue: Step 1 mandates that marks (3) must stop between marks (1) and (2). No matter how I adjusted it (tight or loose) It wouldnt pass this step. Marks (3) wouldnt even come close to stopping between marks (1) and (2).
Step 2, on the other hand, worked perfectly. The tighter the steering stem is, the wider the distance is between marks (3). You adjust the neck bearing to achieve the dimension between steps (3) as specified in the FSM, depending on model. No problem whatsoever with this step.
Im ready to call BS on step 1. I would really like to talk to the engineer at the HD factory that came up with this. That would never happen; they would just tell me to take it to the dealer .I seriously wonder if the dealer performs this step.
My bike is fine and Im happy with the neck adjustment even though it fails step 1 miserably.
I dont have a PDF of the procedure to post, but Doc Harley explains it well starting at the 4:40 mark in this video: Notice the bike in the video also doesnt pass step 1.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 233
From: North East, MD
Has anyone ever successfully completed the published swing back check on a Rushmore touring bike?
I attempted to perform the swing back test, as outlined in the service manual, on my 19 RG. I even leveled the bike as specified in the FSM. Problem is I could only get 1 of the 2 required steps to pass, no matter how tight or loose I adjusted the steering stem.
Heres the issue: Step 1 mandates that marks (3) must stop between marks (1) and (2). No matter how I adjusted it (tight or loose) It wouldnt pass this step. Marks (3) wouldnt even come close to stopping between marks (1) and (2).
Step 2, on the other hand, worked perfectly. The tighter the steering stem is, the wider the distance is between marks (3). You adjust the neck bearing to achieve the dimension between steps (3) as specified in the FSM, depending on model. No problem whatsoever with this step.
Im ready to call BS on step 1. I would really like to talk to the engineer at the HD factory that came up with this. That would never happen; they would just tell me to take it to the dealer .I seriously wonder if the dealer performs this step.
at all and then backing off just enough so that it moves freely. Be su
My bike is fine and Im happy with the neck adjustment even though it fails step 1 miserably.
I dont have a PDF of the procedure to post, but Doc Harley explains it well starting at the 4:40 mark in this video: Notice the bike in the video also doesnt pass step 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzQPsE4AoE
I attempted to perform the swing back test, as outlined in the service manual, on my 19 RG. I even leveled the bike as specified in the FSM. Problem is I could only get 1 of the 2 required steps to pass, no matter how tight or loose I adjusted the steering stem.
Heres the issue: Step 1 mandates that marks (3) must stop between marks (1) and (2). No matter how I adjusted it (tight or loose) It wouldnt pass this step. Marks (3) wouldnt even come close to stopping between marks (1) and (2).
Step 2, on the other hand, worked perfectly. The tighter the steering stem is, the wider the distance is between marks (3). You adjust the neck bearing to achieve the dimension between steps (3) as specified in the FSM, depending on model. No problem whatsoever with this step.
Im ready to call BS on step 1. I would really like to talk to the engineer at the HD factory that came up with this. That would never happen; they would just tell me to take it to the dealer .I seriously wonder if the dealer performs this step.
at all and then backing off just enough so that it moves freely. Be su
My bike is fine and Im happy with the neck adjustment even though it fails step 1 miserably.
I dont have a PDF of the procedure to post, but Doc Harley explains it well starting at the 4:40 mark in this video: Notice the bike in the video also doesnt pass step 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzQPsE4AoE
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 719
From: Indianapolis
The entire logic of this test is stupid. Mark 1 is where it starts to swing back to center on it's own. But from mark 2, it's supposed to stop before that? That's like saying push a car up a hill until it starts to roll back down on it's own, but push it up farther and it should stop on it's own before that. Doc Harley has this entirely wrong. He should have shown a bike that ended with a good measurement.
It's supposed to be free enough that momentum carries it back through center, but not so tight that it drags to a stop before it's natural spot (mark 1). It's supposed to swing from mark 2 on the right side to between marks 1 and 2 on the left side.
It's supposed to be free enough that momentum carries it back through center, but not so tight that it drags to a stop before it's natural spot (mark 1). It's supposed to swing from mark 2 on the right side to between marks 1 and 2 on the left side.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 342
From: Virginia Beach
You used to have to turn the handle bars all the way left and let go, then all the way right. I have found if the bearing is too loose the bike handles like it has a flat rear tire and the death wobble is pronounced. A hair tighter usually works best. YMMV
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,067
Likes: 1,825
From: Kalifornia
Also seems I read or saw, somewhere, that to PROPERLY do the swing test, All cables and controls had to be removed from the bars, so as not to interfere.
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 22
It is not complicated as far as "how" the adjustment is done it's the process to determine how tight/loose the bearing preload should be.
I have worked the adjustment more than several times to make sure the bike does not to get stupid over high speed bridge/pavement transitions and minimum wobble from tar snakes. Shock oil or expensive shocks/forks helps too and don't forget the tension on the riser bolts!
The book does not indicate as it should that the fall away or swing back changes due to the amount of weight on the front end. The swing back gets shorter as you add the weight of the fairing, lights etc.
This is what works for my ride
With the bike level both ways push the front to one side and release
Count the swings and see where it comes to rest
It should come to rest at center in either direction the swing
Mine is currently set - from max left or right with everything attached it swings once across and comes to rest at center. 1.5 swings
From the factory it was set at 2.5 swings as i check it when delivered
I was never happy with it that loose so i have been working it to figure out the sweet spot.
YMMV
I have worked the adjustment more than several times to make sure the bike does not to get stupid over high speed bridge/pavement transitions and minimum wobble from tar snakes. Shock oil or expensive shocks/forks helps too and don't forget the tension on the riser bolts!
The book does not indicate as it should that the fall away or swing back changes due to the amount of weight on the front end. The swing back gets shorter as you add the weight of the fairing, lights etc.
This is what works for my ride
With the bike level both ways push the front to one side and release
Count the swings and see where it comes to rest
It should come to rest at center in either direction the swing
Mine is currently set - from max left or right with everything attached it swings once across and comes to rest at center. 1.5 swings
From the factory it was set at 2.5 swings as i check it when delivered
I was never happy with it that loose so i have been working it to figure out the sweet spot.
YMMV
Last edited by ADVNTR; Jul 13, 2020 at 07:38 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post