Street Glide Front End Issue-Dumbfounded Need Some Input
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 781
Likes: 35
From: St Louis
Street Glide Front End Issue-Dumbfounded Need Some Input
So....Here's the deal- 2011 Street Glide. 40K miles. While straddling the bike if I move the handlebars swiftly from right to left (or L to R) and back to middle, the front end will shimmy/shake an extra couple of times. Feels very weird almost like a vibration wave. I haven't noticed any strange handling characteristics while riding i.e. no death wobble or low speed issues. Here's what I have done to diagnose:
checked fall away---to specs (I realize it's not a perfect test but it seems fine)
with front brakes engaged pushed bike forward and back to check for head bearing play-- none noticeable
with bike on stand pushed and pulled on wheel to double check head bearing play-none noticeable
checked right side axle nuts--tight to specs
re-greased steering head bearings pumped until clean new grease exited (what a mess)
pulled both forks off and did full rebuild replacing all bushings, made sure pinch bolts tight to specs
Checked wheel bearings--good
With front wheel in vice pulled handlebars side to side to see if rubber bushings are bad--some play but not significant
I'm fresh outta ideas. Anyone have this issue or have any other thoughts?
Thanks a bunch!
checked fall away---to specs (I realize it's not a perfect test but it seems fine)
with front brakes engaged pushed bike forward and back to check for head bearing play-- none noticeable
with bike on stand pushed and pulled on wheel to double check head bearing play-none noticeable
checked right side axle nuts--tight to specs
re-greased steering head bearings pumped until clean new grease exited (what a mess)
pulled both forks off and did full rebuild replacing all bushings, made sure pinch bolts tight to specs
Checked wheel bearings--good
With front wheel in vice pulled handlebars side to side to see if rubber bushings are bad--some play but not significant
I'm fresh outta ideas. Anyone have this issue or have any other thoughts?
Thanks a bunch!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
My first few thoughts were;
Broken faring brackets
Front shocks
Broken front motor mount
Loose handle bar mount
But really I'd think those faring brackets are the most suspect. They're a known problem on some models.
Broken faring brackets
Front shocks
Broken front motor mount
Loose handle bar mount
But really I'd think those faring brackets are the most suspect. They're a known problem on some models.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
That makes sense. If it was something mechanical that was that bad sitting still there would definitely be handling issues while riding.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 781
Likes: 35
From: St Louis
Thanks for the input. Really appreciate it. It's definitely not the front shocks/forks just rebuilt, fairing brackets solid, handlebars don't move much when pressured with wheel chocked. Front motor mount is a thought I haven't had. Will check tonight.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 77
From: dallas
I think this could be normal, if its not( tires), problem it could be the rear wheel fork bearings/pivot bolt have play. So look at the rear fork when moving back and forth for movement. I would check other bikes if possible to make sure this is not normal.
I am not a pro tech so just saying what I would do. Good luck.
I am not a pro tech so just saying what I would do. Good luck.
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You check all the welds up front? Frame cracks? Might have to take off your fairing completely, and reverse annalise. See if it does it with the fairing off. My first thoughts would have been the fairing brackets, but you've eliminated that possibility. Try jerking the fairing back and forth holding only the fairing. Try jacking the bike up (slightly and with help) and see if there's any play, up and down, with your front end.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 781
Likes: 35
From: St Louis
Motor mounts solid. Driving me nuts. I will pull the fairing and double check all the brackets more closely. I get a free brake fluid flush on the recall so maybe have one of the techs look it over and see what he says while it's there.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
I had the exact same problem on my 2008 SG. Every time I went over the smallest bump, like a 2" or 3" difference going from the street to my driveway, it would set my front end to wobbling back and forth. Almost "jerk it out of my hands" wobbling. Lasted a few seconds then stopped. Only did it at very slow speeds, but it was just weird and unsettling. Checked everything, like you did, and nothing was found. Don't have the bike anymore, but never did figure out the problem.
Last edited by hd4evr2008; Mar 6, 2018 at 07:09 PM.