Road King stability problems. HELP !

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Sep 9, 2008 | 03:07 PM

Rocko Rock

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 32

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From: Alabama.

Road King stability problems. HELP !

Guys I have a 1994 Road King, I got it back in june, I have put over 3K on the bike and love it. But I have a problem, the bike doesn't want to go straight, I seem to have to correct the steering almost all the time. It even seems like when I'm going 70 mph down the road it feels like the bike tilts to one side or the other.

Strangly enough the problem seems to go away from time to time. It feels like the problem is from the front tire area. But I have put the bike on a jack and can't find anything loose. The front brake pads do scrub but other than that I can't seem to find any problem.

I have not taken the bike into the shop about this issue, but looks like I'm going to have to take it in soon, it's making me uncomfortable to ride the bike. Could it be a wheel bearing ? Steering bearing ? The bike has 37K miles. Anyone have any ideas ?

Thanks in advance.

RR

Sep 9, 2008 | 03:19 PM

harley-jones

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 1,442

Likes: 8

From: south

I don't know what would be causing your problem, but be smart and don't ride it till you figure it out. There are so many things that could be wrong (cracked frame, wheel bearings, rubber mounts, loose bolts, tires, ect, ect.

Good luck in your hunt!

Sep 9, 2008 | 03:19 PM

89FLHT

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,379

Likes: 226

It's an old Glide... If you don't know "all" the maintenance history on it, it's worth throwing up on a lift, check the bearings in the neck for proper fall away to each side and end play, check the front wheel bearings, the engine/drivetrain to Frame alignement and all the motor mounts and check the rear wheel bearings and swingarm for proper aligment as well. All of the proceedures are outlined in the factory manual.

Re-did a buddies 90 Glide last season, he bought it used and it tracked badly. For his, it turned out the motor was completly misaligned in the frame, the top motor mount and bottom motor mount were shot and the bearings in the neck needed to be replaced. Spent a couple days wrenching and setting it up to specs with all the above plus a ton of other crap that it needed and it runs and tracks very well now.

Sep 10, 2008 | 09:32 PM

Old Gray Beard

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 138

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From: New Jersey

Are you sure it's the bike that's tilting (couldn't pass on that one)

Sep 10, 2008 | 09:37 PM

Drich57

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 124

Likes: 0

From: Long Island, NY

Do you have spoked wheels? Check them (the spokes) for tightness - if any are loose that can be a reason.

Sep 10, 2008 | 11:54 PM

rdkingryder69

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Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 53

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I would bet it is in the up and lower motor mount adjustments. I am having similiar problems with mine after changing the motor mount. I will let you know how it goes. Mine does not come and go.

Sep 12, 2008 | 11:11 AM

Rocko Rock

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 32

Likes: 1

From: Alabama.

OGB...depends on how man beers I've slammed. ~L~

Guys I appreciate the info. I'm gonna get the bike in the shop week after next and see how bad the stealer hurts my wallet.