Won’t pass fall away test
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 461
Likes: 119
From: North Dakota
Won’t pass fall away test
I just installed new bearings and races in the neck of my 04 ultra classic and I can’t get it anywhere close to passing the fall away test. Going by their guidelines it’s too tight even with the adjuster so loose it has play when pulling on the front wheel. Adjusted so there is no play it swings right to just past centerline and stops. It’s supposed to swing right, then left then start back to the right. It moves smoothly it just seems to have some drag. I did install the rubber dust shields that came with the bearings, could that account for it? Anyone else run into this problem? Right now I’m ready to just snug it down so there’s no play and see how it handles, I’ve been screwing with it all afternoon.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
What do you mean by “ it’s supposed to swing right, then left then start back right”?
Start with steering centered and tap it one way. It should start to fall away on its own somewhere between 1” & 2” off center. It won’t swing left or right on its own. Front end should be off the ground and clutch, throttle disconnected so as not to induce any impetus or drag.
Start with steering centered and tap it one way. It should start to fall away on its own somewhere between 1” & 2” off center. It won’t swing left or right on its own. Front end should be off the ground and clutch, throttle disconnected so as not to induce any impetus or drag.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 461
Likes: 119
From: North Dakota
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.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
What came out of it when you took it apart? Where there rubber seals? I ask only because I have not pulled my steering stem apart. If it did not have the seals when you took it apart then none should been put back in.
Neil
RDMC
Neil
RDMC
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 461
Likes: 119
From: North Dakota
The rubber seals came with the new bearings so I put them in not thinking they could hurt anything. I really don’t know if they are. They didn’t seem to interfere with the bearings when I test fit them. I suppose I could pull the top one out, but the bottom one is pressed on under the bearing.
I did pack the bearings before installing them and filled the neck until it came out the bottom. My dad was helping me and thought maybe the grease was thick because it was cool out, ~50.
I did pack the bearings before installing them and filled the neck until it came out the bottom. My dad was helping me and thought maybe the grease was thick because it was cool out, ~50.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,212
From: San Diego, CA
Fall away 1- I believe it was my '12 Limited that had the "start at full left, let go, and it should do two full swings & one partial swing" test. I got that one really close.
Fall away 2- I just did my '01 Springer a couple months ago, it used the "start to turn the wheel from center and measure how far it moves before it falls away on it's own" test. I couldn't get the measurement they wanted, so I did it the old fashion way. I tightened it until I could feel slight binding, and then backed it off until the binding was gone. I checked it for looseness and wobble, and then it felt really good on the test drive, so I believe I got it close. I later realized I messed up the measuring method.... go figure...
OP, if you are using the multi-swing method, I would double check to make sure something isn't impeding the movement of the front end or adding weight to an area where nothing was mounted from the factory. There may be something you forgot to disconnect, something that is rubbing/making contact with the front end that shouldn't be touching it, and/or something affecting the original OEM balance. Start with any aftermarket stuff you may have added to the instrument area or handlebars.
Good luck, and you could always do it the old fashion way....
NOTE: When using the not too tight, and not too loose method, don't give the neck bearings too much preload.... better to be on the loose side than the tight side... if too tight, the bike will be hard to balance at slow speed and the steering will feel heavy....
Last edited by hattitude; Apr 26, 2019 at 08:45 PM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 461
Likes: 119
From: North Dakota
There are two fall away tests for these bikes that I have heard of.... It may go by year, or by model (softail v touring) but I have read both in my different service manuals and done both tests...
Fall away 1- I believe it was my '12 Limited that had the "start at full left, let go, and it should do two full swings & one partial swing" test. I got that one really close.
Fall away 2- I just did my '01 Springer a couple months ago, it used the "start to turn the wheel from center and measure how far it moves before it falls away on it's own" test. I couldn't get the measurement they wanted, so I did it the old fashion way. I tightened it until I could feel slight binding, and then backed it off until the binding was gone. I checked it for looseness and wobble, and then it felt really good on the test drive, so I believe I got it close. I later realized I messed up the measuring method.... go figure...
OP, if you are using the multi-swing method, I would double check to make sure something isn't impeding the movement of the front end or adding weight to an area where nothing was mounted from the factory. There may be something you forgot to disconnect, something that is rubbing/making contact with the front end that shouldn't be touching it, and/or something affecting the original OEM balance. Start with any aftermarket stuff you may have added to the instrument area or handlebars.
Good luck, and you could always do it the old fashion way....
Fall away 1- I believe it was my '12 Limited that had the "start at full left, let go, and it should do two full swings & one partial swing" test. I got that one really close.
Fall away 2- I just did my '01 Springer a couple months ago, it used the "start to turn the wheel from center and measure how far it moves before it falls away on it's own" test. I couldn't get the measurement they wanted, so I did it the old fashion way. I tightened it until I could feel slight binding, and then backed it off until the binding was gone. I checked it for looseness and wobble, and then it felt really good on the test drive, so I believe I got it close. I later realized I messed up the measuring method.... go figure...
OP, if you are using the multi-swing method, I would double check to make sure something isn't impeding the movement of the front end or adding weight to an area where nothing was mounted from the factory. There may be something you forgot to disconnect, something that is rubbing/making contact with the front end that shouldn't be touching it, and/or something affecting the original OEM balance. Start with any aftermarket stuff you may have added to the instrument area or handlebars.
Good luck, and you could always do it the old fashion way....
I still have the entire fairing off so nothing is influencing it there. The only thing left hooked to the handlebars is the brake line
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 225
Likes: 53
From: OHIO
I think they may have changed the swing test for the touring bikes threw a service bulitin , but I am not sure what years it covers. I think I remember hearing to start a full left lock, swing past center ( 1 ) then swing back to center
( 2 )
It may be best to call a dealer and ask them if the adjustments for your 04 were changed threw a TSB.
( 2 )
It may be best to call a dealer and ask them if the adjustments for your 04 were changed threw a TSB.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
Huh, never heard of that test version.
