Squirrely '98 Softail Custom

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Apr 18, 2016 | 09:22 PM

Jimmy Knuckles

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Joined: Mar 2015

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From: Alabama

Squirrely '98 Softail Custom

A neighbor of mine had some health problems over the weekend; he was visiting one of his grown kids a few miles away when he had a minor stroke. He's home now and okay but feels somewhat unsteady. He had ridden his Softail to his kid's house and it was still there. He asked me to ride it back to his house since none of his kids rode. My wife dropped me off at the house and I rode it back to his place. It was a scary ride! The bike felt real unstable, unlike anything I've ever ridden. The best way I can describe it is it was like riding over a metal grate like on a drawbridge. It kept darting left and right like it was trying to follow a groove in the pavement, but the pavement was smooth. I couldn't feel any play in the neck bearings but I sure wouldn't ride it again until it gets some attention. Anyone have any ideas what could cause such instability?

Apr 18, 2016 | 09:30 PM

FatboysFatboy96

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From: Marion NC / Lake Norman NC / Panama City Fla

Tire Pressure?

Apr 18, 2016 | 09:42 PM

E8USMCRET

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Joined: Mar 2014

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From: NC, USA

Low tire pressure will make it feel like your riding on ice. I'd check there first.

Apr 18, 2016 | 09:42 PM

E8USMCRET

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From: NC, USA

double post.

Apr 18, 2016 | 09:56 PM

portlandron

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Joined: May 2008

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my Softail Custom with the skinny front tire and narrow handle bars does handle different then my Softail Heritage. Would not say it's "squirrely" but it does follow every crack in the road.