Won’t pass fall away test

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Apr 27, 2019 | 04:02 PM

#11

Solospec

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 217

Likes: 56

From: Arizona

When I did my bike a 2008 SG, my Harley mechanic buddy told me to have it do two full swings and just have it break the third swing. It took me several adjustments to get it right because of the torque on the stem nut. I started with the lowest torque setting which set the fall away perfect. I would have the fairing installed so all of the weight is on the front end. I never replaced the bearings so I can not comment on the rubber dust shields. I would follow the procedure in the FSM. Good luck with the job and let us know how it turns out.

Phil

Apr 27, 2019 | 04:08 PM

#12

foxtrapper

HDF Community Team

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 6,189

Likes: 2,419

From: USA

The factory manual fall away test is bizarre, imo. Easy unachieved with sticky grease, or several other things.

i concur with you about tightening it up until zero play, stopping there, and seeing how it rides.

Apr 27, 2019 | 07:47 PM

#13

btsom

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 4,458

Likes: 2,877

From: Oklahoma

Bad Taperts is correct for bikes with different front ends than the touring bikes have. Touring bikes want to center, hence the swing test, still called the fall away test by many. My experience is that this is not nearly as critical as many believe. My GUESS is that the seals have invalidated the standard test. As recommended above, tighten to no play plus a little tighter, and put it all back together. I have my Road King set (no rubber seals) so it swings back about to the middle and stops, about HALF a swing. Drives and handles nicely.

Apr 27, 2019 | 07:49 PM

#14

Screamin beagle

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 5,315

Likes: 4,272

From: Granville New York

Make sure the bike is very level front to back and side to side...youll be surprised what a few degrees off will do.

Apr 27, 2019 | 08:12 PM

#15

evotrike

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 1,120

Likes: 901

From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by predatornut

Front end is off the ground, clutch and throttle cables disconnected. The manual says to start with bars turned full left and let go. It should swing to the right, come back left, then start right again, but not a full swing.

You are correct on the swing, according to manual...2 full swings and begin 3rd.

Apr 27, 2019 | 09:21 PM

#16

predatornut

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 461

Likes: 119

From: North Dakota

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screamin beagle

Make sure the bike is very level front to back and side to side...youll be surprised what a few degrees off will do.

I was thinking of this too. The back tire is still on the ground and the front is just high enough to clear ~1”, which I thought would be ok. I’ll get it leveled up and try again. Maybe pull the top seal out if that doesn’t work.

Thanks for all the advice, I’ll keep you posted. It might be a few days, we’re expecting a winter storm here tomorrow with 3-5” of snow

Apr 28, 2019 | 07:55 AM

#17

1340hog

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 472

Likes: 59

From: farmington ny

One thing I noticed said here is "rubber seals came with the kit so I installed them" I know for a fact that electra glides do not have seals on the stearing stem. This could be creating undo resistance and causing the test to fail.

Jun 4, 2019 | 09:47 AM

#18

predatornut

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 461

Likes: 119

From: North Dakota

Well, it took a while, but I finally got it back on the road! The seals were the problem. Live and learn I guess. Between the mono tubes, new rear shocks, new rear tire, and new bearings, it rides like a new bike! Thanks to everyone that helped me out!