Another Front End Wobble Problem - Help Please!
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 558
Likes: 2
From: Richardson, Tx
Another Front End Wobble Problem - Help Please!
I have a 2007 Heritage Softtail Classic. I am having a front end wobble when decelerating. It starts the wobble at 35 MPH and stop at about 32. You mainly see it when you are holding the bars lightly. The Harley dealer just tells you to hold on tight and all will be ok 
I guess that is ok as long as you remember not to scratch your nose while riding.
I bought the biked use and it now has 7,000 miles on it. I did have a rear flat and put on a new tire about 3 months ago. I really don't know if the front wobbled before the new rear tire.
Here is what I have done so far:
1. Checked the balance on both wheels. Back needed 3/4 ounce added
2. Had the harley shop adjust the fall away on the head bearings
3. Checked all spokes for tightness
4. chedked to make sure both wheels run true
5. Adjusted air to 36 front and 39 rear
There has been no change in the wobble since making these changes. My front tire does have 3 ounces of weights. The dealer said that was the max you could put on it. The balance is perfect as it is.
What else can I check? Could I have a bad tire? Any other ideas?
I am at a total loss of what to try next or do I just live with it.
Thanks for any help.
PTAG
I guess that is ok as long as you remember not to scratch your nose while riding.I bought the biked use and it now has 7,000 miles on it. I did have a rear flat and put on a new tire about 3 months ago. I really don't know if the front wobbled before the new rear tire.
Here is what I have done so far:
1. Checked the balance on both wheels. Back needed 3/4 ounce added
2. Had the harley shop adjust the fall away on the head bearings
3. Checked all spokes for tightness
4. chedked to make sure both wheels run true
5. Adjusted air to 36 front and 39 rear
There has been no change in the wobble since making these changes. My front tire does have 3 ounces of weights. The dealer said that was the max you could put on it. The balance is perfect as it is.
What else can I check? Could I have a bad tire? Any other ideas?
I am at a total loss of what to try next or do I just live with it.
Thanks for any help.
PTAG
Last edited by PTAG; Aug 23, 2012 at 11:09 PM.
Had a similar issue on my 05 train, dealer also told me "you're not supposed to take your hands off the bars while riding". Bullchit. Found myself a new dealer with a great service dept. First visit they had it fixed.
Turns out it was related to changing the front wheel from factory spoke to the 5 spoke mag. The weight diff caused the fall away test to read inaccurate, and also was affecting the front end characteristics. They took the bike in back, put a couple extra lbs of torque on the steering head nut, problem solved. Didn't even charge me for it.
So, find a good Indy or another dealer. One who will listen and not just regurgitate MoCo corporate policy.
Turns out it was related to changing the front wheel from factory spoke to the 5 spoke mag. The weight diff caused the fall away test to read inaccurate, and also was affecting the front end characteristics. They took the bike in back, put a couple extra lbs of torque on the steering head nut, problem solved. Didn't even charge me for it.
So, find a good Indy or another dealer. One who will listen and not just regurgitate MoCo corporate policy.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Agree with the fall away method can be off.. IMO that's a pi$$ poor way to adjust bearings'. Think that somewhere there should be a torque amount to set them to would be a lot better.
When I do it with the fall away IMO the clutch and throttle cables interfere with it, if U took the cables off the bars, then It'd make a little more sense.
Also if Ur still have the org front tire, which with only 7k U prob still do, again IMO it could be breaking down.. I'd go ahead and put a new front tire on also.
Pends on where U read but some tire experts say after 3yrs U should replace the front, regardless of miles, then some say no more than 5-6yrs.
Urs could be 6yrs now.
Here's some articles about tires and when to replace.
http://canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/tires.php
http://www.ehow.com/way_5494140_chan...otorcycle.html
http://sportbike.natkd.com/tires.htm
.
When I do it with the fall away IMO the clutch and throttle cables interfere with it, if U took the cables off the bars, then It'd make a little more sense.
Also if Ur still have the org front tire, which with only 7k U prob still do, again IMO it could be breaking down.. I'd go ahead and put a new front tire on also.
Pends on where U read but some tire experts say after 3yrs U should replace the front, regardless of miles, then some say no more than 5-6yrs.
Urs could be 6yrs now.
Here's some articles about tires and when to replace.
http://canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/tires.php
http://www.ehow.com/way_5494140_chan...otorcycle.html
http://sportbike.natkd.com/tires.htm
.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 7
From: Liverpool UK
It'll most likely be the head bearings needing a tighten, the fallaway test is boll**ks,
I cant believe anyone actually does it, unless the punter is watching, its not going to happen, I'm fairly new to Harley's and I've sort of come to the conclusion that these bikes need the head bearings nipping up quite regularly. I've had mine done twice by different dealers within 18 months, and they need doing again!.
I cant believe anyone actually does it, unless the punter is watching, its not going to happen, I'm fairly new to Harley's and I've sort of come to the conclusion that these bikes need the head bearings nipping up quite regularly. I've had mine done twice by different dealers within 18 months, and they need doing again!.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: DFW
I have had that deceleration wobble with light grip twice and both times it has been the front tire. First time the front tire was cupped. Second time I hit a pot hole while avoiding a car and it warped the tire, a tire with more than half of its tread life left.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
I have had that deceleration wobble with light grip twice and both times it has been the front tire. First time the front tire was cupped. Second time I hit a pot hole while avoiding a car and it warped the tire, a tire with more than half of its tread life left.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Mine does that now but they wobble mildly, I guess I would put it. They may an inch or so back and forth....certainly not a tank slapper or even close.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Yes! I've been immersed in the bearing business for about 20 years. The "fallaway test" test is one of the crudest things one could do.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
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From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
I would have a new tire installed on the front, run tire presure at 41lbs front and rear, use dyna beads and have the front and rear spokes adjusted by someone who knows how.