Biketoberfest is getting started here in Daytona and I was sitting talking to one of the "Outlaws" he stated that Harley Davidson has a class action suit for front end wobble or also known as a "Tank Slapper". The bikes that are having this problem are the touring bikes. I checked for myself and it seems that the same law company that is taking this case is also doing the case with the Firestone Tires from a while back. This person that I was talking to only brought it up because two weeks ago a friend of his was killed because of this. Here is one of the websites where I found it,
www.goingfaster.com/angst/lawsuit1.htm.....has anybody heard of this?

 

Law firms like that will sue anyone (with deep pockets) for any reason. IMHO, there are wayyy too many lawyers trying to get rich on other people's misfortunes. Harleys are not unstable - pure and simple. Tank slappers happen, but, under inflation, loose steering head bearings, taking your hands off the handlebars, etc etc are all causes that have nothing to do with the company or the design of the bike. Lawyers really **** me off.

 

Actually I beleive its caused by the IDS assem at the rear wheel. My friends and I that own the newer baggers have felt it and have commented on it. Its not been a problem as far as we are concerned. There is a gizmo that some dude is selling @
http://www.true-track.com/
Check it out......

 

Ive read of this problem before the IDS was made known. So highly doubtful.

 

Has nothingto do with the FIX, IDS. Its a problem with all rubber mounted HD bikes. This is a FACT.
Please check out the True Track or straight8 web sites.The problems are explained Why, how it happens and all the tech stuff you need to know about this Wobble. Has to do with rubber mount isolators in the swing arm moving in coralation to the rubber mounted engine.
Eric Buel told Harley they need a rear engine mount years ago. That is why he has added to his bikes.
This is what thewww.ridestr8 and the true track does.
You will get alot of douting thomas on this 1. The problem is there. Ride normal, speed limit so to speak and it wont be to much of a big deal. The wife and I noticied when bike is loaded, for a trip.Pulling off exit ramp, a sweeper as it was. Take extra caution. Knowing its can happen. Wobble.
No softtails dont have the same problem. Rear swing arms do not have rubber isolators.

Ride safe and have fun.

[IMG]local://upfiles/21466/955DEE8A09A74DB58D8063B5D0CF6D27.jpg[/IMG]

 

Isn't "goingfaster.com" a Harley bashing site?

 

Not that I'm real savvy, yet, but I haven't experienced this wobble issue. I routinely ride at 70 to 80 MPH on the interstate and have not noticed it.

Just lucky I guess.

I take the bars try to rip out of your hands side to side?

 

My dad was the Lt. in charge of police motorcycles atSanta Ana PDback in the 60's and all they rode back then were Harley's. I remember him talking about the "high speed wobbles" that caused some policebike crashes on the SoCal freeways. The officers were trained to accelerate out of it instead of slowing down, which makes the condition worse. Guess the wobble is nothing new.

 

Coming off a metric, I had heard about this on the Touring models and didn't understand it until I was in a 70 mph sweeper and felt the bike get wobbly. I just backed off a little and it went away. I also ran it up to about 95 mph in a straight over the wknd and felt a very similar wobble, again, just backed off and I was fine.

In both situations, I was riding faster than I should for the conditions. I didn't buy this bike to ride fast. As fun as it is to let her rip, I don't really have a problem with keeping the bike within it's limits....


Now - the question is - does this happen to non-fairling bikes like the RK Custom too????? I'm curious if the batwing has something to do with it....

 

A friend of mine had a problem on his 07 Street Glide. It ended up being the neck bearings were not properly adjusted from the factory. Dealer did install chrome front end kit, but should not have had to touch the triple trees.