Front End Wobble.
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 91
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From: Alabama
Front End Wobble.
I've heard about this for years but never experienced it. A few days ago on a trip I locked down my throttle, released the handlebars to take a stretch. Lo & behold the front end began to wobble back & forth. Not a tank slapper but enough that I didn't feel comfortable doing the no hands thing. A slight touch from one hand was enough to stabilize it. What are the causes and possible solutions. I've owned other harleys and this has never been an issue on my previous bikes. Current bike is an 08 Fatboy.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Republic of Texas
Could be a number of things. Loose spokes, air pressure, wheel balance, loose neck bearings. From my experiences, a mild wobble that is corrected with just a slight touch has usually been loose neck bearings.
Last edited by ghostrider69; May 26, 2014 at 10:38 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Charleston, SC
Same thing here. . . Dealer greased up the neck and tightened it up. Here's my current issue with the damn wobble. Just got a new front tire (stock Dunlop) from the dealer. . . Immediately noticed bad wobble @ 40 mph, handlebars oscillating back and forth when I lightly released my grip. . . Pissed off, turned around and brought it back to the dealer. Service sheet says they rebalanced the tire, checked air, test ride by tech and service manager . . . Still detecting a very slight wobble at 40 mph. . . Still pissed off. Last time the dealer will touch my bike as I found an Indy nearby who charges half the labor.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Cumberland, RI
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Omaha
I guess I'll jump into this, however note that a search of this subject will result in manyyyyyyy threads related to this subject.
My problem:
Very pronounced decel wooble when deceling (started at around 40 mph).
1) air pressure adjusted- no help
2) neck bearings adjusted/greased- no help
3) Spokes checked- no help
4) Rear tire replaced- no help (needed replacing anyway)
5) Front tire replaced- Problem fixed!!!!!!
Apparently the front tire was bad in some way.
It did have 14000 miles on it so it needed to be replaced anyway.
BTW- If I'm not doing the work, I only have my local Dealer service my bike.
I haven't found an Indie that I trust and I've had nothing but positive results from my local Dealer (Holstein's HD, Omaha NE.)
My problem:
Very pronounced decel wooble when deceling (started at around 40 mph).
1) air pressure adjusted- no help
2) neck bearings adjusted/greased- no help
3) Spokes checked- no help
4) Rear tire replaced- no help (needed replacing anyway)
5) Front tire replaced- Problem fixed!!!!!!
Apparently the front tire was bad in some way.
It did have 14000 miles on it so it needed to be replaced anyway.
BTW- If I'm not doing the work, I only have my local Dealer service my bike.
I haven't found an Indie that I trust and I've had nothing but positive results from my local Dealer (Holstein's HD, Omaha NE.)
Last edited by Bluraven; May 27, 2014 at 10:20 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
I've yet to see a Dunlop that didn't wear this way.
Mine's getting up near the end of it's useful life and I can feel the differences in tread height just running my hand over it - but at least this one isn't causing me any problems like wobble ..yet.
I have this exact same problem. I replaced my rear tire with a Michelin Commander. The front is still the stock Dunlop and it's wearing funny. Major wobble now. I felt it before but now it's worse. I guess from running two different tread patterns.