Have an 06 Roadglide and recently noticed that when I let go of the handlebars at low speeds, it wants to wobble....into a tank-slapper if I let it. It didnt do this a while ago. Could it be that I lost a wheel weight in the front?? Any help appreciated.

BTW...I have 18,000 mi and have the original front tire.

 

Strat with the tire....is it worn out? Then check the wheel....is it balanced? Then check fork oil....was it changed at the correct interval? Then check the steering head....was it lubed properly and at the correct interval....are the head bearings worn?

I am quite sure you will find the problem in one of those areas.

Please post back with your results.

 

bump...

 

Steering head bearing adjustment! It seems to be an issue across the board almost. The stealers just throw the chit together at set up. Had mine back 3x before they set it right, that was with 800 miles.

 

What was the main symptom from the steering head, my ultra seems to shake the handlebars when ridges or bumps are hit in the road. So Cal freeways can be a problem.

 

My Heritage had a low speed when it was loaded down for a trip and the rear tire was worn, handle bars felt fine as long as I held onto them, if I let go as it decelled it would wobble pretty bad...new tire and all was good.

 

The main symptom was when you let go of the bars on decel the fe would wobble and progress to a tank slapper (sometimes, not always). I would venture to guess if your bars shake on ridges or bumps on the freeway, it may be that the bearing adj is on the loose side.

I use to have enduros that when the steering neck adj became loose due to the lack of grease, the steering felt looser in ruts, bumps etc. once adjusted and serviced the steering became tight. IMPO that is the same theory as when these dressers get the wobbles. Thers a lot of variables that can be tossed in to the equation like how many miles on service intervals, cleaning practices, type of grease used, temps, etc.

There is a lot of weight on the front end especially on an ultra and I think to get a proper set up the mechanic really has to have a feel for the correct adj and fall away. Im not criticizing your maintenance practices but Ive seen novice lot techs aspiring to be wrenches at the dealers getting to set up new bikes......So conclude what you will.

 

That is a perfect example of neck bearing adj. Did you get it fixed?
One thing to mention a wheel balance issue usually happens at a certain speed, although it becomes really noticable if you let go of the bars at the speed when it happens, it should also be able to be felt when holding on to the bars probably as a vibration.

 

I'll toss my 2 cents in here & plug the DynaBeads. They're a cheap & solid alternative to conventional wheel weights. All you do is remote the valve stem, pour in the correct amount of beads and put in the new valve stem. Instantly balanced & no chance for a loss of a weight or improper positioning of one. Should be able to do both front & rears for $25. While it could be any of the above mentioned reasons - this is something cheap you can do to cancel out balancing.

PS: For any enviornmental freaks - these are also a "green alternative" to the risk of "poisoning the environment" due to lead wheel weights randomly falling off :P

 

Where do you get the dyna beads at? Thx