A Couple Issues with my Heritage...
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 36
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A Couple Issues with my Heritage...
I've recently discovered a weird wobble at speeds over 60 mph. At cruising speed the bike feels stable. However when I pull the clutch in to exit the highway or slow down, the bike begins a faint wobble - nothing too scary, just enough to feel uneasy. Feels like the front wheel is loose. After looking around, I noticed a lot of grease expelled from where the fork meets the frame. I've attached some pictures.
Is the wobble normal? If not, how do I fix it?
Is this grease buildup normal? If not, how do I fix it?
Thanks ahead of time.
Is the wobble normal? If not, how do I fix it?
Is this grease buildup normal? If not, how do I fix it?
Thanks ahead of time.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 417
Likes: 1
From: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Pretty sure the grease is normal as I've had to wipe it down a few times myself. Check your spokes!!! I had the same issue and it turned out to be a bad wheel as the spokes came loose every 1,000 miles. After the dealer tightened them twice, they replaced the wheel under warranty and I haven't had a problem sice and it's been 15,000 miles since. Hope this helps.
Steve
Steve
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
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From: NJ
If the steering head bearings were recently lubed the grease is probably normal. Comes out for awhile when the bike is new and after you grease it.
Wobble difficult to pin down. Since your's is only when you let off the gas my uninformed guess would be that the steering head need adjustment. A 2nd guess would be front wheel bearings going bad.
Probably a good idea to have it checked out by a tech. Steering head adjustment should cost about $75. Least that's what HD charged me.
Wobble difficult to pin down. Since your's is only when you let off the gas my uninformed guess would be that the steering head need adjustment. A 2nd guess would be front wheel bearings going bad.
Probably a good idea to have it checked out by a tech. Steering head adjustment should cost about $75. Least that's what HD charged me.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
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Thanks, gents. Checked my tire pressure and everything is good to go. you'll have to excuse my inexperence, but any tips on tightening the spokes? Are there any torque limits or anything like that? I'll give that a shot first and if it still wobbles, I guess I'll have it looked at or look into replacing the bearings and adjusting the steering head.
The bike is a 2007 and only has 2500 miles on it. From what I gathered, it sat around a lot with its previous owner and I have been riding the crap out of it since I got it last week. Maybe the "shock" of actually getting some road time is highlighting some areas that need attention.
The bike is a 2007 and only has 2500 miles on it. From what I gathered, it sat around a lot with its previous owner and I have been riding the crap out of it since I got it last week. Maybe the "shock" of actually getting some road time is highlighting some areas that need attention.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
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Well, 03Sporty, I guess you beat me to the punch on spoke tightening. I guess you posted that while i was typing my further questions. Thanks, again.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 576
Likes: 1
From: Southern Maine
My steering head needed tightening at the 5,000 mile service, so with 2,500 yours might need that. I have the grease also and have been told by a HD tech it's normal. As someone else posted, when it gets warm it seeps out. Igf your bike sat in one position for a long period before you got it there might be a chance there's a flat spot on the tires. If so it should correct itself with time and riding.