Drinks all round!
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles
Drinks all round!
On me--new to the group and have a question.
Anyone ever experience a softail that "dog tracks" down the road?
Recently bought used bike a 97 Heritage Springer FLSTS that is beautiful to look at but points about six degrees to the right while going straight down the road. I've had it looked at by a Harley Dealer right after getting it home and a most trusted private shop here in St. Louis, Korn's and neither can find what's wrong.
I love this bike and want to fix the problem if possible. Tire wear looks normal so far. There are no signs of repairs anywhere on the frame or springer legs. Only 11,000 miles and the bike's paint is very fine--almost new looking except for a minor flaw on the tank top- a ding from someone dropping something.
Any help would be great----thanks!
Anyone ever experience a softail that "dog tracks" down the road?
Recently bought used bike a 97 Heritage Springer FLSTS that is beautiful to look at but points about six degrees to the right while going straight down the road. I've had it looked at by a Harley Dealer right after getting it home and a most trusted private shop here in St. Louis, Korn's and neither can find what's wrong.
I love this bike and want to fix the problem if possible. Tire wear looks normal so far. There are no signs of repairs anywhere on the frame or springer legs. Only 11,000 miles and the bike's paint is very fine--almost new looking except for a minor flaw on the tank top- a ding from someone dropping something.
Any help would be great----thanks!
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 25,718
Likes: 41
From: WIMBORNE,DORSET, GREATBRITAIN
are the back wheel spacers correct? put 2 planks of wood from front wheel to rear wheel to check there in line. if in dout jus walk away dont through good cash after bad
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Sounds like the rear tire isn't straight in the swing arm. But if the belt is tracking properly its probably been maladjusted to compensate for the engine/tranny being slightly out of line with the frame.
The tranny clutch/output pulley shaft "must" be aligned exactly 90 degrees to the centerline of the frame or the rear tire will be forced out of line to get the belt to track straight.
Newer Twincam bikes have the tranny bolted directly to the engine so both would have to move together for that condition to happen. But on the older EVO bikes the engine and tranny were seperatly mounted parts that are only connected by the primary case. So I would inspect the tranny mounting bolts and their mounting plates very carefully to see if there is any evidence to show them to be loose or they have moved.
It wasn't as critical with the older chain drives. They could be off several degrees and the chain would still operate. But if they were off more than that they would work. But you would get excessive wear on sides of the sprocket teeth from the chain rubbing on them.
The tranny clutch/output pulley shaft "must" be aligned exactly 90 degrees to the centerline of the frame or the rear tire will be forced out of line to get the belt to track straight.
Newer Twincam bikes have the tranny bolted directly to the engine so both would have to move together for that condition to happen. But on the older EVO bikes the engine and tranny were seperatly mounted parts that are only connected by the primary case. So I would inspect the tranny mounting bolts and their mounting plates very carefully to see if there is any evidence to show them to be loose or they have moved.
It wasn't as critical with the older chain drives. They could be off several degrees and the chain would still operate. But if they were off more than that they would work. But you would get excessive wear on sides of the sprocket teeth from the chain rubbing on them.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles
Citoriplus----------------Thanks for the insight--hadn't realized the transmission could misalign with the frame. This is my first Softail and I'm getting slow in my old age.
The fact that I had not noticed the bars being off when first riding the bike has thrown off my thinking. The problem became noticeable after getting a new tire at Rapid City Harley Davidson---a great place to avoid!
Have an old friend mechanic who works at a far away dealer who would know what to do here---------------time to renew our relationship.
Also thanks for being one of the folks who has kept our freedom ringing---this nation gets screwed up at times but always fights though it!
Peace to all of us------------
The fact that I had not noticed the bars being off when first riding the bike has thrown off my thinking. The problem became noticeable after getting a new tire at Rapid City Harley Davidson---a great place to avoid!
Have an old friend mechanic who works at a far away dealer who would know what to do here---------------time to renew our relationship.
Also thanks for being one of the folks who has kept our freedom ringing---this nation gets screwed up at times but always fights though it!
Peace to all of us------------
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
maybe it is the driver. my sportster used to do that until i moved my but to the center of the seat. have someone follow direct behind you with a camera.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
OK, I've been riding for 45 yrs and I have never heard of Dog tracking...
My guess is the front and rear tire tacks different, but if thats it how do U measure the 6*.
or is it the Bars and TT is pointing 6* to the right but still goes straight.???
My guess is the front and rear tire tacks different, but if thats it how do U measure the 6*.
or is it the Bars and TT is pointing 6* to the right but still goes straight.???
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
The easiest way I have ever heard of measureing dogtracking. Or seeing if your bike really is doing it is to pick a side street near you that's flat and straight.
Pour some water on the ground, enough to wet the whole tire as it goes through it and ride as straight at you can through it at about 10 to 15 mph.
It should leave wet tire tracks behind that you can measure and if you have a friend stand next to the puddles end he can see which tire is making which track.
Then you'll know how far out things are out of whack.
Its quite normal to see a bike tracking as much as a inch or slightly more off, but more than that generally means somethings off somewhere.
I believe that the factory uses a laser to set the engine/tranny and rear tire combination straight in the frame so if its off, you got a problem. And don't discount the fact that everything mechanincal might be straight, but an old belt might need the rear tire misaligned to track straight in the pulleys.
Pour some water on the ground, enough to wet the whole tire as it goes through it and ride as straight at you can through it at about 10 to 15 mph.
It should leave wet tire tracks behind that you can measure and if you have a friend stand next to the puddles end he can see which tire is making which track.
Then you'll know how far out things are out of whack.
Its quite normal to see a bike tracking as much as a inch or slightly more off, but more than that generally means somethings off somewhere.
I believe that the factory uses a laser to set the engine/tranny and rear tire combination straight in the frame so if its off, you got a problem. And don't discount the fact that everything mechanincal might be straight, but an old belt might need the rear tire misaligned to track straight in the pulleys.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 0
From: PA.
Your not gonna make any friends around here offering Drinks ,then asking advise instead.
It's friday night for me, Feelin alright! as they say. The morning brings 2 days on the bike. Life is good!
Carry on!
It's friday night for me, Feelin alright! as they say. The morning brings 2 days on the bike. Life is good!
Carry on!