Front end feels loose

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Aug 5, 2009 | 10:06 AM

whitrt

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From: Carbondale, IL

Front end feels loose

I have an 09 EGC and when I shake the handlebars back and forth the front end seems loose. I have searched the forum and only came back with the "wobble". This seems more like something is loose. Has anyone else experienced this? I have it at the dealer now, but when I dropped it off they said it was the tire pressure. I know that could be the problem, I hope they check it out not just the tires. I have around 12000 miles on it now and it didn't feel this way until around 10000 miles. My other question is, would this just be a rubber mount getting broken in and loosened up?

Aug 5, 2009 | 10:13 AM

bikergeoff

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From: Just South of Detroit, MI

When you get the bike back, see how it feels. If it still feels loose, you may need to lube and adjust your steering neck bearings. With the bike on the ground, hold the front brake and push forward. you shouldn't feel any movement. If you have a jack, raise the bike off the ground and swing the bars all the way to the left or right stop and let go. They should only swing back and forth one and a half times with all your cables hooked up. Get the service manual if you haven't already. You'll be surprised how much maintenance you can do yourself without having to depend on the dealer.

Aug 5, 2009 | 10:34 AM

whitrt

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From: Carbondale, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikergeoff

Thanks, I will give that a try. Bike is still under warranty so I thought I would have them look at it. I am just concerned about the safety of it. Might be a neck bearing, low tire pressure, etc. Just don't want the damn thing coming apart going down the highway. This is the first Harley Davidson I have owned, none of the metric bikes I have had ever felt this way, but none had rubber mounts. Don't want to be worried about something that is normal on a Harley Davidson. If it still feels loose I will probably take it to another dealer, just for peace of mind.

Aug 5, 2009 | 10:56 AM

RoadKingRon1

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It is in warranty. Have the dealer fix it. While they have it, call them and have them check fall away. Mine had to be adjusted at about the 8,000 mark.

Aug 5, 2009 | 10:58 AM

casique

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From: Lorton, VA

Could be the rubber bushings in the handlebars..

Aug 5, 2009 | 11:17 AM

bluffalobob

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From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.

Check your front tire. If it's a D407, it will most likely have severe cupping at that mileage. This can cause high seed vibration, and low speed wobble that almost feels like something's loose.

Aug 5, 2009 | 11:23 AM

whitrt

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From: Carbondale, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluffalobob

Check your front tire. If it's a D407, it will most likely have severe cupping at that mileage. This can cause high seed vibration, and low speed wobble that almost feels like something's loose.

Is the best way to check cupping, to just look closely across the tire? If the tire has cupping would that be replacement under warranty? Thanks for the info.

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Aug 5, 2009 | 02:04 PM

whitrt

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From: Carbondale, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluffalobob

Just talked to the service manager at my dealer. He said the tire did have pretty bad cupping. They are checking on warranty to replace or pro-rate it. It has 12000 miles on it so not expecting too much. He said this might have something to do with the "loose feeling" on the front end. Thanks for the info.

Tom