New guy needs help with unexplained wobble
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 492
From: Heart of Georgia
If it handled fine before you took it to the shop it had to be something they did. I’m guessing either low tire pressure or a defective tire or both. I’ve had new tires installed at Harley dealers more than once and got them back with 32 psi, which is way too low. I’m more inclined to believe you have a defective tire and the defect doesn’t show up until the tire gets good and hot. The dealer techs are not going to take the time to run it long and hard on the interstate unless you force them to. Their idea of a test ride is a quick jaunt around the block. I would go back and make them prove those tires are inflated to 36 psi front and 40 psi rear cold. Then make them take it for a long run at 70 on the interstate before they tell you there’s nothing wrong with it. I can almost guarantee they did not duplicate the conditions. As for being scared of the bike I don’t know what to tell you. I’d be more scared of that dealer’s service dept. if it was me.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, NC
Not rode it yet.
They just called me at 6pm to let me know they could not find anything wrong with it and I could not get over there in time to pick it up. I have asked them to order me wheel bearing and replace them ASAP. They say bearings will be in and installed Friday so hopefully I can ride it then. I know the bearings are a shot in the dark, but Ill try anything at this point. I can tell you that if i cant figure this thing out Im going to have one less toy in the garage.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 17,684
Likes: 6,061
From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
If they called and said its ready, why put in bearings???? Next you'll be putting in new axles.......Pick the bike up and try it first, they've given you the thumbs up for pick up.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 653
From: Atlantic Canada, eh
I dunno man....I am not you, but seems like you're throwing money at the (now non-existent?) problem.
Even being pretty new to bikes, I would've rubbed my hand on the tires (to see if they were slick) and used an air tire gauge (that I have on the bike) to check both pressures
before calling the ol' ball n' chain and a dealer.
Easy peasy. You could do that on the side of the road.
Why do I feel like we're being slowly sucked into a thread that's not real?
Even being pretty new to bikes, I would've rubbed my hand on the tires (to see if they were slick) and used an air tire gauge (that I have on the bike) to check both pressures
before calling the ol' ball n' chain and a dealer.
Easy peasy. You could do that on the side of the road.
Why do I feel like we're being slowly sucked into a thread that's not real?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 4,272
From: Granville New York
For your own safety just give me the goddamn bike before your hurt yourself. Now if you have at least half a nut left between your legs your bike is fine. New tires have a mold releasing agent on them...makes them pretty damn slick for a while. Go ride carefully for awhile gradually increasing how far you lean over in corners, go easy on the throttle too. It doesn't take very long, couple miles to scrub them in if you're trying.That's all it is, the " techs" should have warned you about that when you picked up the bike the first time. So go ride or or ship it to me...i like new tires.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, NC
Report Back
Hopefully will get it back Friday and report back to you guys on results. Thanks again for your help.
BTW not sure whats up with the string you along thing. Cant image why anyone would Spend the time writing back and forth for kicks.
BTW not sure whats up with the string you along thing. Cant image why anyone would Spend the time writing back and forth for kicks.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
Wait a second here, have you rode the bike since the tech's checked it out? They may have fixed something they didn't want to own up to when they said it was ok. Please let us know. It may be ok now.
From your first post, sounded like low tire pressures, that's pretty easy to check.
From your first post, sounded like low tire pressures, that's pretty easy to check.
But he has to go ride it again. Could be a case of magical being fixed... because they didn't want to own the problem.
