Stability help...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
You might start by checking the adjustment of the steering head bearings. If they're off a ways, you'll probably be able feel play or clicking when the bike is on a jack, and you pull forward on the forks.
Next thing to check might be condition of the swingarm bearings.
Next thing to check might be condition of the swingarm bearings.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Eastern WA
Definitely not trading down to a dyna! As fas as suspension, I'm slammed with bolts, lower than almost any bolt job I've seen. Doing that only makes me feel the bumps on the road. the 21" up front is stock, full of air, & was just ballanced with a brand new tire. The front isn't lowered...yet.
Are there any aftermarket add ons to get softails to have a smoother ride at highway speeds. ill sacrifice the stiff feeling for being low but my bike shakes like a person with hypothermia at anythinjg over 65mph.
Are there any aftermarket add ons to get softails to have a smoother ride at highway speeds. ill sacrifice the stiff feeling for being low but my bike shakes like a person with hypothermia at anythinjg over 65mph.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
From: BC
I am assuming you have checked for loose spokes front/rear.
So - 1st off - like Warp said - check your neck bearings ~
Lower the front 2" with a drop in kit from Progressive.
Also look into a 120 series tire on a 3.5 " rim up front.
*Edit - just read your latest post ^^ these will just make it feel a little more "stable"
- the shaking is something mechanical for sure (1st I thought you meant a feeling like the start of a speed wobble)
So - 1st off - like Warp said - check your neck bearings ~
Lower the front 2" with a drop in kit from Progressive.
Also look into a 120 series tire on a 3.5 " rim up front.
*Edit - just read your latest post ^^ these will just make it feel a little more "stable"
- the shaking is something mechanical for sure (1st I thought you meant a feeling like the start of a speed wobble)
Last edited by Midgard; Jul 13, 2013 at 12:40 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 1
From: Redcar Cleveland England
Definitely not trading down to a dyna! As fas as suspension, I'm slammed with bolts, lower than almost any bolt job I've seen. Doing that only makes me feel the bumps on the road. the 21" up front is stock, full of air, & was just ballanced with a brand new tire. The front isn't lowered...yet.
Are there any aftermarket add ons to get softails to have a smoother ride at highway speeds. ill sacrifice the stiff feeling for being low but my bike shakes like a person with hypothermia at anythinjg over 65mph.
Are there any aftermarket add ons to get softails to have a smoother ride at highway speeds. ill sacrifice the stiff feeling for being low but my bike shakes like a person with hypothermia at anythinjg over 65mph.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 819
Likes: 6
From: Long Island N.Y.
Definitely not trading down to a dyna! As fas as suspension, I'm slammed with bolts, lower than almost any bolt job I've seen. Doing that only makes me feel the bumps on the road. the 21" up front is stock, full of air, & was just ballanced with a brand new tire. The front isn't lowered...yet.
Are there any aftermarket add ons to get softails to have a smoother ride at highway speeds. ill sacrifice the stiff feeling for being low but my bike shakes like a person with hypothermia at anythinjg over 65mph.
Are there any aftermarket add ons to get softails to have a smoother ride at highway speeds. ill sacrifice the stiff feeling for being low but my bike shakes like a person with hypothermia at anythinjg over 65mph.
(back track) Has the bike always done this or did it start doing this after the suspension and wheel change? This is how I would start diagnosing the prob. Just my 02 cents
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
Goodbye to Wobble
Does the shake also happen when you let off the gas at 50 mph while letting go of the bars or at least just barely holding them? If so that is a classic symptom of loose frame neck "head" bearings and you need to set the tightness to get rid of the slop.
My Deuce was delivered so loose it had a speed wobble at 45 mph!!! I could barely drive it.
As for all the comments about lowering the rear changes the trail which is BAD etc etc. Don't believe it. The change will NOT affect a speed wobble. At most it will ADD a touch more stability as you have more rake and trail than stock.
But I doubt even the princess and the pea could actually "feel" the difference.
I raked my Deuce with 3 degree bearing cups and extended the forks four inches to gain more road clearance in the corners. The stability INCREASED and the bike cornered with a more planted stance perhaps due to the increase in wheelbase. I went from 35 to 38 degrees rake and probably added a half inch to the trail. Best thing I ever did for the handling and it looks outrageous. Tons of cornering clearance now.
YOUR problem sounds like a loose bearing somewhere or loose spokes... Or a flat tire. Or worn out fork sliders or wrong amount of fork oil. Or bad REAR shocks.
Check EVERYTHING including alignment. A Harley should feel BETTER as you hit 100 mph. Not WORSE.
My Deuce was delivered so loose it had a speed wobble at 45 mph!!! I could barely drive it.
As for all the comments about lowering the rear changes the trail which is BAD etc etc. Don't believe it. The change will NOT affect a speed wobble. At most it will ADD a touch more stability as you have more rake and trail than stock.
But I doubt even the princess and the pea could actually "feel" the difference.
I raked my Deuce with 3 degree bearing cups and extended the forks four inches to gain more road clearance in the corners. The stability INCREASED and the bike cornered with a more planted stance perhaps due to the increase in wheelbase. I went from 35 to 38 degrees rake and probably added a half inch to the trail. Best thing I ever did for the handling and it looks outrageous. Tons of cornering clearance now.
YOUR problem sounds like a loose bearing somewhere or loose spokes... Or a flat tire. Or worn out fork sliders or wrong amount of fork oil. Or bad REAR shocks.
Check EVERYTHING including alignment. A Harley should feel BETTER as you hit 100 mph. Not WORSE.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
My bike is slammed to the ground with a 21" up front
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Definitely not trading down to a dyna! As fas as suspension, I'm slammed with bolts, lower than almost any bolt job I've seen. Doing that only makes me feel the bumps on the road. the 21" up front is stock, full of air, & was just ballanced with a brand new tire. The front isn't lowered...yet.
Are there any aftermarket add ons to get softails to have a smoother ride at highway speeds. ill sacrifice the stiff feeling for being low but my bike shakes like a person with hypothermia at anythinjg over 65mph.
Are there any aftermarket add ons to get softails to have a smoother ride at highway speeds. ill sacrifice the stiff feeling for being low but my bike shakes like a person with hypothermia at anythinjg over 65mph.
Due yourself a favor and google suspension, rake, trail, setting up sag, lowering rear... and get from bike rags and professionals before some one gets hurt.