Death Wobble
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
I checked everything I could check and I checked it in accordance with what our "known to know" forum members suggested. What I didn't do was change swing arm bushings cause I refused to do that at 10,000 miles.
With my 09 frame I'd go into a wobble at 70 mph plus and or when cracking the throttle in sweepers while leaning. It was some scary ****.
After reading on this forum, and doing most of all the 20 plus laundry listed things on the list of items that could cause this I said I'm installing one of these True track things cause none of those valid suggestions worked for me. I still wobbled at high speed.
Since then I have no wobbles anymore. It is what it is. Like Ripleys. Believe it or not.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,899
Likes: 8,005
From: poway
They don't make one for baggers from what I see. FWIW a CCE Version did not work on my FXDX.. Helped a bit with steering in rough corners tho..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,899
Likes: 8,005
From: poway
So you modified the front forks to make them stiffer and that took care of the problem?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; Sep 27, 2014 at 10:03 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
It is interesting to note that the CHP rider did not wreck or experience DEATH! Yes the wobble is real. If/when you experience it, don't panic, slow down, and ride thru it. As one who rides two up a whole lot, I would advise to ride less aggressive when two up so you don't have to deal with this. Having experienced this, I have to believe that those that have wrecked because of it are like those in a car who hit their brakes when they hydroplane just a little, and then end up wrecking. Slowing down and holding steady is the key to successfully surviving both of these events.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
No I didn't modify the front end but I was about to and then decided to just trade for a '14 SGS that already has the upgrades from HD. The '14's come stock with a redesigned clamping top triple tree and larger and stiffer 49mm front fork tubes. Add to that the linked ABS brakes and I now have a far superior handling bike!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,899
Likes: 8,005
From: poway
No I didn't modify the front end but I was about to and then decided to just trade for a '14 SGS that already has the upgrades from HD. The '14's come stock with a redesigned clamping top triple tree and larger and stiffer 49mm front fork tubes. Add to that the linked ABS brakes and I now have a far superior handling bike!
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale, New York
There is no superbrace for a street glide as per their website(unless a model meant for another bike fits a street glide)
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
The pre '14 FL's have been using the same undersized 41mm front fork tubes and non clamping top triple tree design since the 40's I believe. The top tree does not clamp down on the fork tubes they merely guided the tubes allowing flex to occur. The bottom triple tree was clamped and the fork tubes can and will flex, or twist, at the bottom tree clamping point. Simple physics.
The forks are allowed to flex while riding from a front to rear motion. If you mounted LED lighting strips on the side of your fork tubes and film it from another bike while riding you would be surprised at how much they can and do flex from front to back. The design has been due for an overhaul for many years.
Riders today ride on much improved Interstates at far greater speeds than they did back then when this was designed years and years ago. The front end wobble is just one of several ways a wobble can be introduced. And riding aggressively can create a scenario that increases that possibility. If you were to ride passively and never push your bike to its capabilities you may never experience any wobble of any kind. Other than low tire pressure most all of the reasons for the wobble is due to a twisting motion being induced. That's why they are usually always while in a curve of some kind.
On a '14 and up Rushmore you can feel the stiffness or rigidity of the larger fork tubes right away. And hitting that very same dip in the very same sweeper at even greater speeds I didn't feel any flex or twisting in the front end at all. The bike felt like a solid entity just cutting through the corner.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 288
Likes: 3
From: UK
Still not convinced abaut the authenticity of this video. Just because it says CHP does not mean it is real. If i were doing this at the very least the chase car would be a video equipped police car then it would be date stamped as well as record road speed in real time.