Wobble
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 6
From: U.S.
Wobble
I have a 2008 Street Glide that I put a trike Triple Tree on along with Legends are shocks. When I reach 80 mile an hour or fall into a tight turn bike begins a very rough wobble and i have been chasing this problem for a year-and-a-half. I purchased another Triple Tree from tricky air who brags a lot that you will not have any wobble with their triple trees but wrong stillthere. thought my problem was in the front so I went back to the Harley triple trees I took it to Harley dealer to work on they replaced all the bearings,motor mounts , etc..and they have determined that my wobble is from the rear of my bike not the front. Anybody out there have any idea what I can do. By the way I put the progressive link-up kit but wobble still there no luck looking for some help please I am open to any ideas might help me enjoy my ride I do call off a trip didn't want to get caught on the interstate somewhere and need to run that speed.. here is a catch I put my wife on the bike with me and it is 6 smooth ride no wobble
Last edited by 1glider; Jan 1, 2020 at 05:35 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Theres a big hinge on your bike, called the steering head, that can make a heck of a wobble. Performance bikes frequently put a damper on it, to stabilize it. Harley choses to make theirs very loose.
Not that there cannot be a rear wobble, Harley made sure there can be. The inner swing arm bushing is loose on the shaft.That lets the swing arm turn side to side, wobbling the rear. This deficiency is studiously ignored, in favor of blaming the rubber/steel frame bushings.
You can observe and measure this rear swing arm slop/play readily enough. Jack the rear wheel, loosen the axle nut. Slip the wheel forward to slacken the drive belt. Tighten the rear axle shaft again. Now grasp the rear wheel and push it side to side. If it deflects and clanks, thats the aforementioned excessive bushing/shaft clearance. Belt tension masks it.
Not that there cannot be a rear wobble, Harley made sure there can be. The inner swing arm bushing is loose on the shaft.That lets the swing arm turn side to side, wobbling the rear. This deficiency is studiously ignored, in favor of blaming the rubber/steel frame bushings.
You can observe and measure this rear swing arm slop/play readily enough. Jack the rear wheel, loosen the axle nut. Slip the wheel forward to slacken the drive belt. Tighten the rear axle shaft again. Now grasp the rear wheel and push it side to side. If it deflects and clanks, thats the aforementioned excessive bushing/shaft clearance. Belt tension masks it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
t]I had experienced a wobble in my Street Glide..... quite un-nerving first few times. Well in fact, all the time. I bought and installed a Tru-Trak.... do a search both on line and in here for Tru-Trak.... this attaches between frame and swing arm....took all my wobbles away. A bit expensive, but well worth it to me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
I just resolved a wobble, albeit At slower speed, by replacing mildly cupped tires. Other: verify headset bearing adjustment, wheel bearings, and maybe you need a steering stabilizer like is on the trikes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,495
Likes: 30,781
From: Pennsylvania
Probably more than you wanted to know:
https://ridermagazine.com/2009/06/30...ake-and-trail/
https://www.rideapart.com/articles/2...ake-and-trail/
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage20.html
By changing the triple trees and the rear shocks, you probably changed the rake and trail causing the wobble.
Are the rear shocks taller than the OEM shocks?
Are there any changes to how the fork tubes are in the triple trees? angle of the dangle so to speak.
Same manufacture type tire front and rear? Any changes to tire size?
It only take a coupe of degree change to cause the suspension to get out of wack.
If you still have the OEM shocks put them back on and test @ 80mph. My bet is the rear shocks are taller and therefore changed the rake/trail causing the issue.
Any other changes that have been made with regard to tire size front or rear suspension could cause issues if not done correctly or mismatched front/rear.
If you get a wobble, keep your hands on the handlebars and lay down on the tank as this will change the rake and will cause the wobble to diminish.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 222
From: NorCal
I had a wobble on fast, long sweepers on a 2007 SG, and I fixed most of it by installing a Stiffey swing arm bushing. You get a bit more vibration on the bike, but it keeps the rubber bushings from letting the back of the bike fishtail around. I think they are available on Amazon, but it has been a few years. I had tried the trans to frame links, but no luck with those. There were some frame changes made later, I think around 2010, that did rectify some of the problem. My 2013 RK feels a lot more stable.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,732
Likes: 22,834
From: North Carolina
I used to have a 2008 FLHX Street Glide. I put an after market front wheel and tire on it and it set up a slight bit higher in the front. Looked great but caused a wobble at 75 +. Added the Tru-track and it maybe helped a little but did not solve anything. I believe that when you change the geometry on these bikes things happen.
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From: San Diego, CA
Well... you asked....
and make sure to read post #1 a couple times...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-exposed.html
and make sure to read post #1 a couple times...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-exposed.html
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,045
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From: Florida
I have a 2008 Street Glide that I put a trike Triple Tree on along with Legends are shocks. When I reach 80 mile an hour or fall into a tight turn bike begins a very rough wobble and i have been chasing this problem for a year-and-a-half. I purchased another Triple Tree from tricky air who brags a lot that you will not have any wobble with their triple trees but wrong stillthere. thought my problem was in the front so I went back to the Harley triple trees I took it to Harley dealer to work on they replaced all the bearings,motor mounts , etc..and they have determined that my wobble is from the rear of my bike not the front. Anybody out there have any idea what I can do. By the way I put the progressive link-up kit but wobble still there no luck looking for some help please I am open to any ideas might help me enjoy my ride I do call off a trip didn't want to get caught on the interstate somewhere and need to run that speed.. here is a catch I put my wife on the bike with me and it is 6 smooth ride no wobble
