Fat Boy pulls left
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Hereford, Arizona
Fat Boy pulls left
I have followed many threads regarding this problem but I haven't read any real solution.
I personally think it's rear wheel alignment. I jacked up the bike tonight and laying on the creeper I noticed that my drive belt is riding on one side of the rear pulley (the pulley is wider than the belt). Now I'm no expert here but I'd think that by using the axle jacking bolts (after loosening the rear axle) I could fine tune the belt to ride in the center of the rear pulley. \\; I know this affects the belt tension so that has to be factored in. When I adjust my bandsaw this is basically what I do...change the camber to make the blade ride center.
Now many will say live with it because all Harleys do it but I think its probably too much trouble for the service departments to deal with. They have there 2lb rule and so be it. I just don't think its quite right and I also think it affects tire wear. I've read so many many messages of some people getting very low mileage on rear tires and others getting 3 and 4 times higher mileage. Sure driving style has a lot to do with it but I've read many threads where the owner is not aggressive on the throttle and only gets 3k on his rear tire.
I'm going to find out if I'm right because I'm going to center my drive belt and see if the bike still pulls left.
I personally think it's rear wheel alignment. I jacked up the bike tonight and laying on the creeper I noticed that my drive belt is riding on one side of the rear pulley (the pulley is wider than the belt). Now I'm no expert here but I'd think that by using the axle jacking bolts (after loosening the rear axle) I could fine tune the belt to ride in the center of the rear pulley. \\; I know this affects the belt tension so that has to be factored in. When I adjust my bandsaw this is basically what I do...change the camber to make the blade ride center.
Now many will say live with it because all Harleys do it but I think its probably too much trouble for the service departments to deal with. They have there 2lb rule and so be it. I just don't think its quite right and I also think it affects tire wear. I've read so many many messages of some people getting very low mileage on rear tires and others getting 3 and 4 times higher mileage. Sure driving style has a lot to do with it but I've read many threads where the owner is not aggressive on the throttle and only gets 3k on his rear tire.
I'm going to find out if I'm right because I'm going to center my drive belt and see if the bike still pulls left.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
RE: Fat Boy pulls left
Rear wheel alignment may be what your issue is, but another thing to think about is the crown in the road. \\; All roads \\;are crowned somewhat to make the water run off. \\; This might give you a slight pull too.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 4
RE: Fat Boy pulls left
I wouldn't adjust the rear tire using the belt running position on the pulley as my criteria. Small amounts of engine/transmission offset can cause the belt to run to one side or the other and yet the wheels are aligned. What you need to do is align the rear wheel to the front wheel so that they are both on the same track.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Hereford, Arizona
RE: Fat Boy pulls left
Jonny, tire pressures are on the dot. pscheval, I'll post when I do it. Only problem is I have to pull the exhaust to get to the right side adjuster. Or pull the lower slip-on.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 8
From: Montgomery, AL
RE: Fat Boy pulls left
Just curious, when is it pulling? When you gas it it pulls to the left? Can you ride with no hands on the bars at speed? Kent
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Hereford, Arizona
RE: Fat Boy pulls left
92, it pulls left when I release the bars at any speed including freeway speeds of 65mph. I can't tell if it pulls when speeding up because I have to put my hands on the throttle to do that.
Dickf5187, I can't imagine the engine tranny being very far out of alignment. Since the tranny bolts directly to the motor I would think that it'd have to be pretty darn square to the frame. You may be right of course but somehow putting a tape measure on things doesn't seem very accurate to me.
I'd be all over my theory right now if it wasn't for the exhaust system being in the way. I'm going to try to pull the slip-on first and see if that works out before I pull the entire exhaust system. It wouldn't be a problem but I installed chrome axle nut covers thus the exhaust has to go in order to get the right cover off.
Dickf5187, I can't imagine the engine tranny being very far out of alignment. Since the tranny bolts directly to the motor I would think that it'd have to be pretty darn square to the frame. You may be right of course but somehow putting a tape measure on things doesn't seem very accurate to me.
I'd be all over my theory right now if it wasn't for the exhaust system being in the way. I'm going to try to pull the slip-on first and see if that works out before I pull the entire exhaust system. It wouldn't be a problem but I installed chrome axle nut covers thus the exhaust has to go in order to get the right cover off.