Paranoia or a wobble?
Paranoia or a wobble?
I'll preface this by saying I may be nuts.
I've had my 05 Springer Classic since beginning of June. When I bought it it only had 4500 miles on it. I've put close to 2k miles on it since then.
This past week, I noticed when I'm cruising about 45-50 mph and let off the throttle, I get a minuscule wobble in the front end. It's a very tiny one and I notice it more when riding one handed (obviously). It doesn't feel like enough to be dangerous but either way it has me a bit worried.
When I bought it, the dealer replaced a few spokes on the back wheel. Why at 4500 miles, i'm not sure. The other night, I stripped the bags off and did the squeeze test on the spokes (front and back) and couldn't find anything loose.
The only thing I've done to my ride in the past 2 weeks is adding new larger saddlebags. I kind of wonder if they may be doing something funky with the air flow.
Am I being paranoid or should I take it to the dealer or local wrench for inspection?
I've had my 05 Springer Classic since beginning of June. When I bought it it only had 4500 miles on it. I've put close to 2k miles on it since then.
This past week, I noticed when I'm cruising about 45-50 mph and let off the throttle, I get a minuscule wobble in the front end. It's a very tiny one and I notice it more when riding one handed (obviously). It doesn't feel like enough to be dangerous but either way it has me a bit worried.
When I bought it, the dealer replaced a few spokes on the back wheel. Why at 4500 miles, i'm not sure. The other night, I stripped the bags off and did the squeeze test on the spokes (front and back) and couldn't find anything loose.
The only thing I've done to my ride in the past 2 weeks is adding new larger saddlebags. I kind of wonder if they may be doing something funky with the air flow.
Am I being paranoid or should I take it to the dealer or local wrench for inspection?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Things to check: Loose spokes. Front/rear wheel bearings, steering head adjustment, swingarm bearings, tire pressure, front and rear alignment, and thats all I can think of right now.
You will no when its a wobble cause u will crap yourself. My first one was on a sport bike i ran over one of those shredded tires on the road at maybe 120mph thank god i had a honda cbr1000rr cause it has a electronic dampner that saved my life. Sounds like your getting a vibration which could be your neck bearings are done or your stem is loose. It could be loose spokes but they usually make a clunking sound
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Also It seems I've read the springer front end needs serviced more often than the tubes..
If they weren't checked at the 1 or 5k service, then its past time..
.
If they weren't checked at the 1 or 5k service, then its past time..
.
Last edited by oct1949; Sep 8, 2012 at 11:08 AM.
Thx guys. All good things to think about.
I called the dealer and verified that at 6k miles it's way overdue for front end service. They said I could drop it off and they'd get to it in a few days. Lol
I called my local wrench. He said if nothing's needing replaced it would be an hours labor to just go over the front end and inspect/tighten/adjust it. He's familiar with the fact that I just installed new bags and thinks they could be causing what I'm feeling. I'm gonna take the bags off and go for a test ride this afternoon just to rule them out. Either way, I'm going to have him service the front end ASAP.
I called the dealer and verified that at 6k miles it's way overdue for front end service. They said I could drop it off and they'd get to it in a few days. Lol
I called my local wrench. He said if nothing's needing replaced it would be an hours labor to just go over the front end and inspect/tighten/adjust it. He's familiar with the fact that I just installed new bags and thinks they could be causing what I'm feeling. I'm gonna take the bags off and go for a test ride this afternoon just to rule them out. Either way, I'm going to have him service the front end ASAP.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 54
From: Mansfield, MA
What he said.....
I'm guessing it's time to change out that original tire..
Do you keep the neck greased. The springers are real happy when you keep them wet..... There's a zerk fitting on the neck right side...
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Original front. New rear. Never knew that. Thx for the info!
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I haven't yet. How often should it be greased? I also asked the dealer how often the front end should be serviced and they dodged the question.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 54
From: Mansfield, MA
I grease the necks on all my springers at the beginning of the riding season.. Keeping them greased saves the neck bearings. You save the neck bearing you don't need service nearly as much..
My 03 with 48K has never had the front end dealer serviced... Still feels brand new to me...
The service manual I believe says they are supposed to be done every 5000 miles...
My 03 with 48K has never had the front end dealer serviced... Still feels brand new to me...
The service manual I believe says they are supposed to be done every 5000 miles...