Hey all, first time posting on the forum and I'm sure this has been covered in here before, but i'll ask anyway. I have 2006 Softail Deluxe I've had about a week. Around 35-40mph I get a slight wobble in the handlebars. It doesn't do it every and some times is just very slight and some times is a little worse. My dad who is about 75lbs lighter than me can ride it and it not wobble at all. This is my first bike with spokes, both my Road King and Sportster had mag wheels, and I know spokes can cause problems like this. I'm more concerned about it being neck bearings. I'm an automotive tech and I've always done my on motorcycle work, and my shop manual for the bike should be here this week. I know the fall away test is kind of a pain in the *** and people have tightened neck bearings without the fall away test. I'm just curious as to everyone's take on this problem. The rear tire is brand new and the front to my knowledge is not much older, and I'm taking for granted that they are true and balanced. It doesn't really bother me too bad, like I said its not an aggressive wobble. I know it needs to be address because it will get worse, just want to make sure its not something thats gonna make cause major problems until I can get it fixed.

 

Scalloped tire would be my 1st look.

 

I'm kinda leaning towards a tire issue myself. I would think neck bearings would cause trouble at higher speeds and would show up every time consistently. The fact that its worse sometimes and doesn't happen sometimes makes me think maybe tire related and how it reacts to road surface. Sounds good anyway!

 

I always start with the easiest things first...

Check the front tire for air pressure (both tires actually) and then inspect the front tire for cupping (or as referred to above as "scalloped").

If tires/PSI check out OK... then do a spoke check on both wheels. I'd start with the quick tone test. If something sounds off, then there is a technique for torquing the spokes in a specific pattern (IIFC, it's every 4th spoke, but check it) and with only a certain tightness each time (IIRC, it's a 1/4 turn, but check that too) and it will keep your wheel true...

If spokes check out OK.... then I would do a fall away test to check the neck bearings... Fall away test isn't really hars, just a little time consuming...

Good luck with your diagnosis and repair....

 

+1 on the air pressure. My old Sportster wobbled the handlebars when front tire had low air pressure.