bars feel off (not riser bushings)
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
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bars feel off (not riser bushings)
Ok, I have come to live with this whole deal. Bumped the wheel around, the whole bit thinking it was a twisted front end. Posted many times on this.
Anyway, I was riding my mother inlaw around yesterday. Suspension was of course more compressed. The front wheel feltmore off than ever before. Like the wheel was tracking to the left making the bars feel to the right.
So I got to thinking about this. Could a rear wheel alignment (Bike is new - 1300 miles) cause the front end to track off?
or
Could inperciseoil levels in the front forks (from the factory) cause this condition?
I have talked to so many guys with simular feelings with these fatboys and they all feel like the wheel tracks to the left making the right bar closer than the left.
Thoughts...
Mike
Anyway, I was riding my mother inlaw around yesterday. Suspension was of course more compressed. The front wheel feltmore off than ever before. Like the wheel was tracking to the left making the bars feel to the right.
So I got to thinking about this. Could a rear wheel alignment (Bike is new - 1300 miles) cause the front end to track off?
or
Could inperciseoil levels in the front forks (from the factory) cause this condition?
I have talked to so many guys with simular feelings with these fatboys and they all feel like the wheel tracks to the left making the right bar closer than the left.
Thoughts...
Mike
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Tourer
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From:
RE: bars feel off (not riser bushings)
Ill take the deafening silence as no-one has an opinion. However, using one of those digital measuring calipers I picked up from Northern, I measured the distance from the inside of the adjustment bolt to the frame. My bike was off what seems to be a mm at the bolt tensionerwhich does not sound like much. But out to thetire, this translates to quite a bit in tire misalignment... Any way, went for a ride and I am encouraged.Frankly the bike seemed to handle better and the steering seemed better. Counter steering seemed better too.
I think if the rear wheel is out even a little, that gyro-ing could cause the bike to act funny particularly on these cast wheels.
Verdict is still out but I'm encouraged.
l8r
I think if the rear wheel is out even a little, that gyro-ing could cause the bike to act funny particularly on these cast wheels.
Verdict is still out but I'm encouraged.
l8r
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: central fla
RE: bars feel off (not riser bushings)
I have the same issue as alot of others. My first fxst used to do it too. I just didn't make a fuss since I bought my bike new without a warranty. Fear of the cost getting it straight made me forget about it. It isn't too bad and tracks straight when riding.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 121
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From:
RE: bars feel off (not riser bushings)
it is the rear wheel, the dealer didn't fix mine, they where the ones that messed it up!
If you know a good private mech. or buy the twenty dollar measuring rods from j&p and do it yourself.
in a nutshell...... you measure from the swingarm bolts, to the axle on both sides.
That's it.
If you know a good private mech. or buy the twenty dollar measuring rods from j&p and do it yourself.
in a nutshell...... you measure from the swingarm bolts, to the axle on both sides.
That's it.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 121
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From:
RE: bars feel off (not riser bushings)
don't go by the frame. it wil not be accu.
the front and rear wheels will aways track the same line, parallel that is [sp?]
if the rear axle is not the same distance on both sides from the swingarm bolts, it will "dog track"
the front and rear wheels will aways track the same line, parallel that is [sp?]
if the rear axle is not the same distance on both sides from the swingarm bolts, it will "dog track"
Banned
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Nor-Cal
RE: bars feel off (not riser bushings)
Lotsa guys having that problem here.My bike did the same thing when I bought it.After taking some time and making small adjustments to the rear wheel alignmentthe bike tracks dead straight now.I can take my hands off the bars at any speed and the bike tracks perfect.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 770
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From: East NM
RE: bars feel off (not riser bushings)
Yes. rear wheel alignment can do that. Have someone watch from behind as you ride straight ahead on level pavement. If this is your problem, bike will look like it's moving sideways. A mismatch in fork oil levels will be more likely to cause instable handling when going over bumps.
Since final belt tension adjustment is part of the dealer prep, there is a good chance it's off. The only real way to get the alignment right is to use a straight edge long enough to make sure the wheels are parallel. If it turns out your rear wheel does need to be realigned, when making belt tension adjustments, count turns on the adjusters to move both sides the same amount. Don't trust the marks.
Since final belt tension adjustment is part of the dealer prep, there is a good chance it's off. The only real way to get the alignment right is to use a straight edge long enough to make sure the wheels are parallel. If it turns out your rear wheel does need to be realigned, when making belt tension adjustments, count turns on the adjusters to move both sides the same amount. Don't trust the marks.
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Tourer
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From:
RE: bars feel off (not riser bushings)
ORIGINAL: harleydad
don't go by the frame. it wil not be accu.
the front and rear wheels will aways track the same line, parallel that is [sp?]
if the rear axle is not the same distance on both sides from the swingarm bolts, it will "dog track"
don't go by the frame. it wil not be accu.
the front and rear wheels will aways track the same line, parallel that is [sp?]
if the rear axle is not the same distance on both sides from the swingarm bolts, it will "dog track"
Good point on the frame but it is one of those deals were you got to go with it on the off chance the frame is streight. This bike always held a streight line and if say the rear is tracking to the left, this would cause the front to track left to compensate. I tell you @ 14 bucks, that little digital caliper is well worth the investment.
Apprec the help guys. I really think this might be IT!!!!
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