Performance stability

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Jul 31, 2017 | 11:12 AM

Darkride

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 116

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From: North Carolina

Performance stability

I have looked through the forum and not found this addressed. I apologize if I missed it. I have a 99 Roadking with 37k miles. Its in overall excellent condition. The previous owner (its a 1 owner bike prior to me) lowered the bike and put spring adjustable dyna style rear shocks on. I have it scheduled to have the oem air shocks put back on because while it rides nicely for me alone any 2 up causes bottoming out. Yesterday we ran the liberty road here in nc which is as twisty as the dragon claw and a bit faster. I was riding with a guy on a dwg . keeping up was challenging and I scraped the foot boards a bit. I haven't pushed this bike like this before but I noticed that while excelerating out of some of the corners I was getting some front wheel wobble. Not the dreaded "death wobble" just a touch of instability. Previous to this bike I road a 2000 dwg myself so maybe its just a bagger thing or maybe the ability to stiffen the rear may help as my experience is that much of the time front end instability is caused by improper rear suspension. Any thoughts? (Its also possible I simply pushed the bike too hard).

Jul 31, 2017 | 01:57 PM

bigskyroadglide

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 2,630

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From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country

too many variables to generate an internet answer, given age of bike and unknown mods, you might be better off starting on simple things first

tire pressure, tire age, tire balancr, front motor mount, proper steering head fallaway, wheel bearigs.

before jumping to any conclusions and especially before putting the factory air shocks back on the bike.

the air shocks may solve 1 issue and create 2 more

i would check the suspension in total before beginning to work on one end or the other.

having a plan and understanding what needs attention is better than a haphazard approach.

i hope you find your issue

ps, its doubtful you pushed the bike to hard.

Jul 31, 2017 | 02:03 PM

Veekness

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 4,377

Likes: 647

From: Santa Clarita

Were it me, I think I'd get a much better performing shock than the OEM air shock, and do the labor myself to make up some of the difference between stock and aftermarket shocks. That is, unless you're just unable to do that work for whatever reason, it's a real easy chore. But...let's not go into WHICH shock, there are TONS and TONS of other threads on this subject...

Jul 31, 2017 | 04:48 PM

Darkride

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 116

Likes: 10

From: North Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veekness

thanks to both of you. Umm I didn't give you nearly enough info because I took it for granted but I had a serious accident a few years ago and just got cleared to ride last year. I elected to buy this bike because it was pristine and I could afford it in cash which allowed me to send it in and have them go for front to back. The did a bearing check, changed and checked the fork oil, checked the rear shocks, changed the can chain tensioners to gears and do a a phase 2 performance upgrade with a hypercharger. Tires are brand new Pirelli white walls (cause they are just so gangsta) lol and I checked the pressure when I got home. Both were within 2 lbs of spec. I bought the one's weeks ago because the bike was bottoming out when 2 up or loaded and who knew but 8 yrs of jumping out of air planes eventually leads to back issues lol so I need it to be adjustable. I wish I could do my own work but I am a mechanical idiot and figure the bike isn't the place to prove that. Thank both of you very much. I actually should have done more research on adjustable up grades and may yet return. These and look at some Arnott or progressives. I appreciate it.

Jul 31, 2017 | 04:52 PM

Keithhu

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 17,145

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From: SE Michigan

Check your front motor mount. They have a tendency to sheer laterally.

Jul 31, 2017 | 05:04 PM

bigdumbnoitall00

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 8,341

Likes: 714

u say its lowered, is it shorter shocks or lowering brackets on the shock mount? usually spring shocks will give a better ride if they are correct for the bike and weight load.