head shake?
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 8
From: NorthEastern Pa.
I just found this old thread on a search.
I have a new 2012 Heritage Classic with 350 miles on it.
First time I noticed it was when I hit about 100 and let off. It was a slow shake, maybe intensified or caused by the shield. I stayed off the gas until about 65 mph, but the shake didn't stop until I got back on the throttle.
Now with the shield off, it happens at almost any speed, and only when I let off the gas. I don't like it. It just feels wrong. I think it was OK when I first rode it off the floor and is gradually getting worse with a few miles.
I hope I don't have to chase my own tail on this one. Checked the pressures today and both tires are about 2psi low. Not enough that it should make a difference. There are a ton of balancing weights on the front rim, so maybe it's the tire.
Issues like these can be a real PIA if the dealer isn't cooperative. I want my bike in MY garage, not theirs!!!
Joe
I have a new 2012 Heritage Classic with 350 miles on it.
First time I noticed it was when I hit about 100 and let off. It was a slow shake, maybe intensified or caused by the shield. I stayed off the gas until about 65 mph, but the shake didn't stop until I got back on the throttle.
Now with the shield off, it happens at almost any speed, and only when I let off the gas. I don't like it. It just feels wrong. I think it was OK when I first rode it off the floor and is gradually getting worse with a few miles.
I hope I don't have to chase my own tail on this one. Checked the pressures today and both tires are about 2psi low. Not enough that it should make a difference. There are a ton of balancing weights on the front rim, so maybe it's the tire.
Issues like these can be a real PIA if the dealer isn't cooperative. I want my bike in MY garage, not theirs!!!
Joe
I just found this old thread on a search.
I have a new 2012 Heritage Classic with 350 miles on it.
First time I noticed it was when I hit about 100 and let off. It was a slow shake, maybe intensified or caused by the shield. I stayed off the gas until about 65 mph, but the shake didn't stop until I got back on the throttle.
Now with the shield off, it happens at almost any speed, and only when I let off the gas. I don't like it. It just feels wrong. I think it was OK when I first rode it off the floor and is gradually getting worse with a few miles.
I hope I don't have to chase my own tail on this one. Checked the pressures today and both tires are about 2psi low. Not enough that it should make a difference. There are a ton of balancing weights on the front rim, so maybe it's the tire.
Issues like these can be a real PIA if the dealer isn't cooperative. I want my bike in MY garage, not theirs!!!
Joe
I have a new 2012 Heritage Classic with 350 miles on it.
First time I noticed it was when I hit about 100 and let off. It was a slow shake, maybe intensified or caused by the shield. I stayed off the gas until about 65 mph, but the shake didn't stop until I got back on the throttle.
Now with the shield off, it happens at almost any speed, and only when I let off the gas. I don't like it. It just feels wrong. I think it was OK when I first rode it off the floor and is gradually getting worse with a few miles.
I hope I don't have to chase my own tail on this one. Checked the pressures today and both tires are about 2psi low. Not enough that it should make a difference. There are a ton of balancing weights on the front rim, so maybe it's the tire.
Issues like these can be a real PIA if the dealer isn't cooperative. I want my bike in MY garage, not theirs!!!
Joe
- bought a new wheel (5 spoke HD) and had new rubber put on at the same time
- got the bike back and had the "shimmy" when checking up on the throttle
- 4 visits to dealer that sold me wheel. Checked front end fall away, changed tire, checked rim on first three
- 4th visit prob still there. Told them to test ride, and take hands off bars when checking up on throttle to experience the full "shimmy" effect. Their response was "well, HD doesn't recommend removing your hands from the bars for any reason. That's probably your problem right there." That was my LAST visit to that service dept.
- took bike up to Battlefield Harley in Gettysburg. Explained what I was feeling, and the service manager knew exactly what the issue was. He said the new wheel is heavier than stock, and to compensate, the neck bearings need to be tightened to slightly beyond stock torque. Worked great and solved issue.
- had to keep retorquing the front end every year as the problem came back, and still had a front end clunk. Then I recently found out about bulletin M1215A (?) that replaced the steering head washer with a hardened steel version. Did the swap and everything is perfect now. (though you likely have the new washer on your 2012).
Probably doesn't help you much, but since it's new and under warranty, I would hound the SH*T out of that dealer until they get it right! Good luck, hope it doesn't turn into along painful road.
John
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 8
From: NorthEastern Pa.
Thanks J. I'm going to have to give it a shot eventually. It's getting worse so maybe it's a break-in issue. Looked at the rims again and there's no sign that there were weights on the front rim. It's the back rim that has a bunch of balancing weights on it. At one point I did hear a bunch of clunking between the wheel and fender. Sounded like it coulda been weights but it was probably a stone. Can't see any glue on the front rim.
I have heard that the neck comes from the factory with the bearings greased, but the head not yet packed with grease. Supposedly the first time the grease zerk gets used is on the 1k service when the steering head gets filled up. Don't think that would cause a wobble, but you never know. I would grease the head bearings and see if that fixes it. Grease is cheap. Then off to the dealer to get the tire, rim and head torque checked out. Good luck!
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I have heard that the neck comes from the factory with the bearings greased, but the head not yet packed with grease. Supposedly the first time the grease zerk gets used is on the 1k service when the steering head gets filled up. Don't think that would cause a wobble, but you never know. I would grease the head bearings and see if that fixes it. Grease is cheap. Then off to the dealer to get the tire, rim and head torque checked out. Good luck!
At the end of my 1st summer I greased the neck bearings my self.
I believe what U saying 100%.. That the bearing are packed but not the neck.
It took a bunch of squeezes on the grease gun to get anything out of the top and bottom of the neck.
That made me wonder If at the Original set-up, 1k, 5k and 10k if all they did was do a couple squirts of grease that didn't even have a chance of getting to the bearings.
Anyway now I grease it myself to make sure the bearings get grease.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 8
From: NorthEastern Pa.
Got up today, washed the bike, thinking I would put some miles on. After a very short trip, I realized the situation was getting worse very quickly. Felt like the frame was cracked
I stopped back home.With the bike parked, I shook the handlebars back and forth rapidly. The rear was noticeably loose. I couldn't shake it and get down there and look at the same time, after shaking it a few more times I saw that all the spokes on the rear wheel were loose. LOL. It was almost un rideable. I have about 430 miles on it.
I called up the dealer and they had the wheel trued. Between their work and my drop off/pick up time I barely had time to go home and hit bike night. Hell I should have gone riding instead of socializing. I think that it's kinda major when you buy a brand new bike and the spokes weren't tightened, but I don't feel like bitching. I'm just glad no one got hurt and my issue is solved. Hopefully they didn't forget too much else. Would have been nice to spend the day riding.
Joe
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