Front End Wobble.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,368
Likes: 3,331
From: usa
Just a minor update on my wobble issue...
On the way to the dealer yesterday had a chance to see how it behaved hands off in neutral. The wobble DID start, about the same as it normally does, but it did not seem to get progressively worse. Due to traffic and the short ride to the dealer, I didn't get a chance to try it a bunch of times to see if that behavior was consistent. But based on this test, my guess is that there is something causing a minor wobble that gets amplified by the off-centerline forces during deceleration.
Dealer service manager seemed rather reticent - kept giving me the line about "Harley won't do anything if the wobble only happens when hands off bars." I repeatedly told him the wobble is happening hands on but can be damped out by holding on - can definitely feel it with light grip on the bars. Hoping for the best, but don't have a whole lot of faith. Going to try to get a list of all the stuff they checked when it's done...
On the way to the dealer yesterday had a chance to see how it behaved hands off in neutral. The wobble DID start, about the same as it normally does, but it did not seem to get progressively worse. Due to traffic and the short ride to the dealer, I didn't get a chance to try it a bunch of times to see if that behavior was consistent. But based on this test, my guess is that there is something causing a minor wobble that gets amplified by the off-centerline forces during deceleration.
Dealer service manager seemed rather reticent - kept giving me the line about "Harley won't do anything if the wobble only happens when hands off bars." I repeatedly told him the wobble is happening hands on but can be damped out by holding on - can definitely feel it with light grip on the bars. Hoping for the best, but don't have a whole lot of faith. Going to try to get a list of all the stuff they checked when it's done...
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 84
From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH
Update:
Got the bike back from the dealer today (Was not home Sunday, dealer closed on Monday). Didn't get to talk to the tech who worked on her, but the report indicates they checked the neck bearings, which were in spec but on the loose side. They tightened them to the tight side of the spec. The report also notes that the tech observed some cupping on the front tire, and also some dry rot (I didn't see any abnormal wear or dry rot on the tire, but I'm clearly not the expert). The dealer replaced the front tire and rebalanced the front wheel. All under warranty.
Took the bike for a test ride - ZERO bar shake. Completely fixed. So either the neck bearings or the tire (or maybe a combination) was the culprit. Of course I got caught in my first real downpour on the bike before I made it home. Doh.
I'm pretty impressed with the dealer for giving me a new tire - I would guess they might have a little liability concern with selling me a bike with a tire with dry rot (again, I couldn't see anything), but I was expecting them to tell me they had checked everything, and it must be the tire. We'll sell you one for $200 bucks.
Shout out to HD Shop of Rochester, NH Service Dept. for their good customer service.
Got the bike back from the dealer today (Was not home Sunday, dealer closed on Monday). Didn't get to talk to the tech who worked on her, but the report indicates they checked the neck bearings, which were in spec but on the loose side. They tightened them to the tight side of the spec. The report also notes that the tech observed some cupping on the front tire, and also some dry rot (I didn't see any abnormal wear or dry rot on the tire, but I'm clearly not the expert). The dealer replaced the front tire and rebalanced the front wheel. All under warranty.
Took the bike for a test ride - ZERO bar shake. Completely fixed. So either the neck bearings or the tire (or maybe a combination) was the culprit. Of course I got caught in my first real downpour on the bike before I made it home. Doh.
I'm pretty impressed with the dealer for giving me a new tire - I would guess they might have a little liability concern with selling me a bike with a tire with dry rot (again, I couldn't see anything), but I was expecting them to tell me they had checked everything, and it must be the tire. We'll sell you one for $200 bucks.
Shout out to HD Shop of Rochester, NH Service Dept. for their good customer service.
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