Fatboy front end wobble?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: NC
PM sent!
My Lo is just over 3K!
Dealer stated at my 1K service that it wasn't needed!
The owner's manual shows a big "X" next to the word "Adjust" at 1K!
The service manual shows a big "X" next to the word "Adjust" at 1K!
Now I'm concerned!
Well...its got 3K...probably time to get a lift and more tools!
Rubbitt hope you get this taken care of!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: California
Good info..I have the same problem with my 2011..took it in for service and the dealer said HD was aware of it and that all of them did it..never mentioned the neck bearings..that kinda grinds my gears..
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Just adjusted mine last week. Argued via email for 2 weeks with my indy. Finally he told me to put a socket on it and when I broke my arm trying to turn it call him back.
I loosened the pinch bolt, put the socket on it and met no resistance. That's how loose it was.
Tightened it almost 2 full turns. Took it for a spin and felt it was too tight, backed it off a half turn and it felt perfect.
When I first lifted it I almost couldn't keep the front end in the middle it was so loose.
I loosened the pinch bolt, put the socket on it and met no resistance. That's how loose it was.
Tightened it almost 2 full turns. Took it for a spin and felt it was too tight, backed it off a half turn and it felt perfect.
When I first lifted it I almost couldn't keep the front end in the middle it was so loose.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Mass
I had the same problem, turned out my problem was the wheel, the way it was explained to me was because the wheels are cast some are so out of balance no amount of weights can balance them they did neck adj. new tire, nothing, changed wheel, problem went away I was also told the MOCO new about this but decided to deal with it on a case by case because they didn't know how many bad wheels got by.
good luck
good luck
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 4
Not sure how old your bike is but 2600+ plus mile it most likely a 2011. I just replaced the front tire on my Fatboy.....Dunlop 407F tire was cupped beyond belief. Harley replaced it with a Dunlop 408F because the 407F was a recalled/discontinued because of cupping. You may have one of the last D407F's on your bike.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: N.E. Ohio
Not sure how old your bike is but 2600+ plus mile it most likely a 2011. I just replaced the front tire on my Fatboy.....Dunlop 407F tire was cupped beyond belief. Harley replaced it with a Dunlop 408F because the 407F was a recalled/discontinued because of cupping. You may have one of the last D407F's on your bike.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Dealer did the same with mine the first time and after about a week it was back. When I went back in they replaced the tire. Haven't had a problem since and it's been aound 5000 miles.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: NY
On the front end, cupped tires, low tire pressure, out of balance wheels, steering bearings and shocks in need of maintenance will cause wobble. From the rear end, a misaligned rear tire could cause this. While there's other things, these would be the most common.
If you're getting wobble because of your tire, you should probably be able to see the cupping. Cupping would probably indicate another problem such as running the tires low on air. You said your weights are all in place, so that probably rules out balance. Ditto for a bent rim since you said you haven't hit anything. Doing the fall away adjustment on your steering head bearings will solve and rule out the steering. It's a PITA, but will fix all sorts of problems. Your shocks have only 2600 miles on them, the fluid should still be good. A lot of people, me included, like to run a heavier weight oil in them, 15 or 20 wt. Makes them a little firmer and handles better. SE oil or Bel-Ray or any of the other quality names are fine. Rear tire alignment is measured from the hole in the axle to the swing arm bolt. Easiest is to use a small rod bent at 90 degrees and inserted into the hole in the axle. Slide an o-ring on the rod lined up with the swing arm bolt. Then move to the other side and see if they are the same.
If you're getting wobble because of your tire, you should probably be able to see the cupping. Cupping would probably indicate another problem such as running the tires low on air. You said your weights are all in place, so that probably rules out balance. Ditto for a bent rim since you said you haven't hit anything. Doing the fall away adjustment on your steering head bearings will solve and rule out the steering. It's a PITA, but will fix all sorts of problems. Your shocks have only 2600 miles on them, the fluid should still be good. A lot of people, me included, like to run a heavier weight oil in them, 15 or 20 wt. Makes them a little firmer and handles better. SE oil or Bel-Ray or any of the other quality names are fine. Rear tire alignment is measured from the hole in the axle to the swing arm bolt. Easiest is to use a small rod bent at 90 degrees and inserted into the hole in the axle. Slide an o-ring on the rod lined up with the swing arm bolt. Then move to the other side and see if they are the same.
Could not have said it better. I had a wobble on my Fatboy after only 500 miles and it turned out to be low air.
Lesson Learned ALWAYS check my air pressure now.
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