Front wheel oscillating
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 715
Likes: 81
From: London, UK
Try relaxing your grip. If you are not wearing ear plugs then buy some and try again. It was established back in the 1970s that noise can cause the sort of thing you are experiencing, due to us tensing against the loud noise, but unfortunately we didn't have the internet back then, by which we could spread such info.
The faster we go the greater the noise level we are subjected to. The natural reaction is to grip the bars, which actually makes them oscillate sideways. This can also be caused by riding with high bars, when we are inclined to grip them tight against wind pressure. Wear ear plugs and you may find you can ride even faster, until the noise level reaches similar discomfort levels.
The faster we go the greater the noise level we are subjected to. The natural reaction is to grip the bars, which actually makes them oscillate sideways. This can also be caused by riding with high bars, when we are inclined to grip them tight against wind pressure. Wear ear plugs and you may find you can ride even faster, until the noise level reaches similar discomfort levels.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 715
Likes: 81
From: London, UK
how many miles are on the bike?
not an uncommon problem. crappy design the way the swing arm mounts....I'm 99% sure its your rear end, not your front. poke around some threads about wobble for your answer. Shock adjustments, fall-away adjustment, tire pressure/condition, and frame stabilizers.
Also, the batwing seems to make it a little worse than the RG.
not an uncommon problem. crappy design the way the swing arm mounts....I'm 99% sure its your rear end, not your front. poke around some threads about wobble for your answer. Shock adjustments, fall-away adjustment, tire pressure/condition, and frame stabilizers.
Also, the batwing seems to make it a little worse than the RG.
I did note (As I had forgotten to do it after I installed the shocks ) that my belt needed adjustment, which I have now done, but tyre pressure all good and just 9k on the bike....
Cheers
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 715
Likes: 81
From: London, UK
I'm not usually riding too many curves at 90+... but when I started riding my 2009 UC in the mountain curves (30-40 mph), I did notice a significant "bounciness" in the front end. I also noticed "looseness" in the rear. My previous bike was a Honda Shadow 1100 with Progressive shocks & springs... it was solid/firm. The stock setup on the UC was just too soft for me.
Last fall I upgraded to Legends front and rear... as well as having the bike serviced (30k miles) and everything brought up to spec. The bike is much more solid and planted to the road now. The sponginess in the front & rear is gone and I ride much more confidently... and lean into the curves more too.
Ride Safely!
John.
Last fall I upgraded to Legends front and rear... as well as having the bike serviced (30k miles) and everything brought up to spec. The bike is much more solid and planted to the road now. The sponginess in the front & rear is gone and I ride much more confidently... and lean into the curves more too.
Ride Safely!
John.
thumbs up on the legends thats just what I installed.
Much more positive ride....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
These are big heavy bikes. There's some flex in both the front forks and the rear eng/trans/swingarm assembly under the loads at the speeds you're talking. Even in perfect condition with new tires.
I can feel exactly what you're talking about.
And even though some of the previous posts identify the issue as originating in the rear, and I'm not discounting that, the front end oscillation you're talking about absolutely exists too.
If you ever rode a 2009-2013 model with the smaller diameter forks and slip-fit upper triple tree you'd really feel the front end wobble under the same conditions. The later model bikes (2014 and up) are a big improvement but still not rock solid.
I can feel exactly what you're talking about.
And even though some of the previous posts identify the issue as originating in the rear, and I'm not discounting that, the front end oscillation you're talking about absolutely exists too.
If you ever rode a 2009-2013 model with the smaller diameter forks and slip-fit upper triple tree you'd really feel the front end wobble under the same conditions. The later model bikes (2014 and up) are a big improvement but still not rock solid.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,162
From: SE Michigan
Unless your tires are cupped, (The noise the other post mentions) my guess is it's the rear end and you may just be feeling it in the handlebars. Google or use the search here for "Harley rear end wobble" and you will find a lot of reading on it. Below is a link to a video that shows it on an older bike. It happens in high speed sweeping turns and a bump will upset the rear swingarm and it starts oscillating. The pre 09's were notorious for it, The new frames on the 09's and up helped but it is still there, just not as bad. You have several options. 1. SLOW DOWN! 2. Get used to it and ride it out 3. Frame stabilizer like True Trak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmw6QppXnEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmw6QppXnEY
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Indeed, expired in 2009. The only related bit is the suggestion to use a True-Track kit, if they make one for the latest models.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
Sorry if my first post was misleading.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 715
Likes: 81
From: London, UK
These are big heavy bikes. There's some flex in both the front forks and the rear eng/trans/swingarm assembly under the loads at the speeds you're talking. Even in perfect condition with new tires.
I can feel exactly what you're talking about.
And even though some of the previous posts identify the issue as originating in the rear, and I'm not discounting that, the front end oscillation you're talking about absolutely exists too.
If you ever rode a 2009-2013 model with the smaller diameter forks and slip-fit upper triple tree you'd really feel the front end wobble under the same conditions. The later model bikes (2014 and up) are a big improvement but still not rock solid.
I can feel exactly what you're talking about.
And even though some of the previous posts identify the issue as originating in the rear, and I'm not discounting that, the front end oscillation you're talking about absolutely exists too.
If you ever rode a 2009-2013 model with the smaller diameter forks and slip-fit upper triple tree you'd really feel the front end wobble under the same conditions. The later model bikes (2014 and up) are a big improvement but still not rock solid.
I recall my Roadking Custom. 2005, would do it on some sweepers so do get your point. On my fourth glide and never noticed it quite so much - however with the firmer front perhaps I'm cornering just a bit faster than i might normally which is highlighting the issue,,,,
All the best
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 715
Likes: 81
From: London, UK
were they adjusted correctly when you went out or was this the adjustment to make correct?