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check your spokes....wobble

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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 10:25 AM
  #1  
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Default check your spokes....wobble

Recently noticed a frontwheel wobble on my springer on decel. Searched the site and found that this problem is usuallyfromloose head bearing orloose spokes. (thanks hdforums) I checked the fall away and tightened it up a bit, then checked the front spokeswhich were fine. Then checked the rear spokes, every spoke was looseand thetire moves back and forth about a half inch. The hub is trashed and I would assume the spokes are trash too. Its scary, this bike has only 4800 miles/ 8000 km, andits first service was done by a dealer. I'll be bringing it in tonight to another dealer andthey shouldreplace the wheel under warranty. Check your spokes, don't trust it to the dealer.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 10:29 AM
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xxxflhrci
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

Been there. Done that. My spokes loosened at 31k miles and then 62k miles. You would have thought by then, they would be tight or have quit stretching. Wrong. The second time, I put the bike on a lift and checked the spokes before leaving on a trip. 200 miles into the trip, the spokes started loosening. I ended up with a trash hub and several broken spokes.

This is a common issue with late model bikes.

[IMG]local://upfiles/17633/8D29086C840B44DEB981ACF71FEAEB1C.jpg[/IMG]
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 10:33 AM
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

Wow. That's not very many miles. My Heritage has over 22k on it and a couple weekends ago I decided to check them and only found a couple that needed snugging. That was the first time I've ever checked them. I've never had it serviced by an HD dealership, but if I had and found them in that condition like yours, I'd be upset. Especially if they said they were done..
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 10:46 AM
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

No spokes have broke or popped out but the holes on the hub look similar to the photo, all stretched out.
The dealer never said they checked them but that is part of the 1st service. I hope I don't get a hassle and they just replace under warranty.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 10:57 AM
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

Not surprised one bit, I bet less than 50% of dealers actually do the entire check list at service time, most of them change the oil (I hope) and send you down the road to get the next guy in. Thats why I bought a manual and do all my own servicing, F the dealer. People are people no matter what their job titles are, cant trust anyone.........Make sure you get them to fix your ride free of charge, I get pissed off when I read these posts, most dealers are worried about one thing, selling bikes and accesories and thats it, dont come back after you leave with your bike.........[:@]
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 12:14 PM
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

I had a wobble (10K miles) on the decel from 42-38MPH, The stealer said ti was a steering neck adjustmetn it was done on my 10K now its fine!
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 12:32 PM
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

Yeah, I'll be doing the service myself from now on. If they ask me if I want the 2nd service done I'm going to laugh. No thanks, just fix the warranty problems.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 12:48 PM
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

So, just get a small wrench on the spokes and see if they are tight? Got me a bit paranoid now.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 12:50 PM
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

actually Lightning SVT, you should take something hard & gently tap on the spokes, the ones that are loose will make a different sound,
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 12:54 PM
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Default RE: check your spokes....wobble

Kind of like a tuning fork. I lightly tapped and listen for tonal differences. I low tone would indicate a loose spoke.
 
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