Touring Bike Wobble
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Deep South
Actually it is apples to apples between the sta-bo and any of the braces. The sta-bo fixes it at the root of the problem where the flex in the swingarm is to cause the rear steer. The braces, in a way, are a band-aid because it doesn't go after the root of the problem to eliminate it but it does eliminate the problem nonetheless.
I was going to put another device on my bike called a "Stiffey" which goes on the outside of the swingarm bushings to help firm it up. I figured between the Progressive brace and this I'd be golden. But then I put the Ohlins shocks on and it took care of it so no need for a third fix.
A new and better quality front motor mount might be a good mod as well if the bike has 25k or more miles on it. There are some very good one's available and Sta-bo has one of them.
I was going to put another device on my bike called a "Stiffey" which goes on the outside of the swingarm bushings to help firm it up. I figured between the Progressive brace and this I'd be golden. But then I put the Ohlins shocks on and it took care of it so no need for a third fix.
A new and better quality front motor mount might be a good mod as well if the bike has 25k or more miles on it. There are some very good one's available and Sta-bo has one of them.
Who did you go through to get the Ohlins? I have had Ohlins on some of my off road race bikes, and I know what they do for them. Good stuff.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Gillette wyoming
I live in wy and the wind can get wicked up here . I have defiantly had some pucker experiences until I installed the brace . It seemed to act up going around trucks on the interstate and big long sweepers and hit a little bump then off it would go . 100% better since installing the brace
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Deep South
I live in wy and the wind can get wicked up here . I have defiantly had some pucker experiences until I installed the brace . It seemed to act up going around trucks on the interstate and big long sweepers and hit a little bump then off it would go . 100% better since installing the brace
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
BB, I've never looked at the factory rubber swinger bushings, are they offset like the Sta-Bos and the Stiffeys are? Juss wondering, why the offset bushings?
Who did you go through to get the Ohlins? I have had Ohlins on some of my off road race bikes, and I know what they do for them. Good stuff.
Who did you go through to get the Ohlins? I have had Ohlins on some of my off road race bikes, and I know what they do for them. Good stuff.
I'm no expert though and I would like to hear more about this from someone more knowledgeable than me for sure!!
The "Stiffey's" didn't look offset to me so my guess is they just fit in and do a mediocre job of firming up the back end. Again; I'm just assuming.
I've had to send the Ohlins back to get re-worked so at this moment in time I can not endorse them. I hope to in a week or two. I'm using this time to rebuild my forks and old air shocks. Who knows ... Maybe they will be better than the Ohlins. I won't know for sure until I can get the Ohlin shocks back and hopefully dialed in right this time. It's turning into a long and arduous ordeal at this point. I'm trying to be patient even though it isn't easy when it takes a week to send them out (with me having to pay the postage) and a week to get them back and that's not including all the time it will take to figure out what is wrong with them. I'm going on 2 months right now with this one product. While it has backed me into a corner time-wise; I think it will work out well in the long run. At least I hope so.
If you are interested in the Ohlins shocks the only shop I know of who works on Harley's is Howard at www.Motorcyclemetal.com.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Deep South
I've noticed the offset on the Sta-bo's too. I noticed when I had the outer metal piece of the swingarm bushing off the shaft/axle was pushed mostly forward. I'm assuming because the belt is always pulling against the inner bushings it needs to be offset.
I'm no expert though and I would like to hear more about this from someone more knowledgeable than me for sure!!
The "Stiffey's" didn't look offset to me so my guess is they just fit in and do a mediocre job of firming up the back end. Again; I'm just assuming.
I've had to send the Ohlins back to get re-worked so at this moment in time I can not endorse them. I hope to in a week or two. I'm using this time to rebuild my forks and old air shocks. Who knows ... Maybe they will be better than the Ohlins. I won't know for sure until I can get the Ohlin shocks back and hopefully dialed in right this time. It's turning into a long and arduous ordeal at this point. I'm trying to be patient even though it isn't easy when it takes a week to send them out (with me having to pay the postage) and a week to get them back and that's not including all the time it will take to figure out what is wrong with them. I'm going on 2 months right now with this one product. While it has backed me into a corner time-wise; I think it will work out well in the long run. At least I hope so.
If you are interested in the Ohlins shocks the only shop I know of who works on Harley's is Howard at www.Motorcyclemetal.com.
I'm no expert though and I would like to hear more about this from someone more knowledgeable than me for sure!!
The "Stiffey's" didn't look offset to me so my guess is they just fit in and do a mediocre job of firming up the back end. Again; I'm just assuming.
I've had to send the Ohlins back to get re-worked so at this moment in time I can not endorse them. I hope to in a week or two. I'm using this time to rebuild my forks and old air shocks. Who knows ... Maybe they will be better than the Ohlins. I won't know for sure until I can get the Ohlin shocks back and hopefully dialed in right this time. It's turning into a long and arduous ordeal at this point. I'm trying to be patient even though it isn't easy when it takes a week to send them out (with me having to pay the postage) and a week to get them back and that's not including all the time it will take to figure out what is wrong with them. I'm going on 2 months right now with this one product. While it has backed me into a corner time-wise; I think it will work out well in the long run. At least I hope so.
If you are interested in the Ohlins shocks the only shop I know of who works on Harley's is Howard at www.Motorcyclemetal.com.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Just to be clear the wobble that I had experienced is only in long high speed(75mph+) sweepers. I still have front end wiggle in those type of situations but it is very minor.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Back to basics chaps!
If you take a look at any Buell or a rubber mount Sportster you will see they have three stabilizer links. The touring bikes, going back to the first rubber mounts, have only two, one at the front of the engine, the other between the heads. In addition, early bikes had cleve block swingarm bushings, which have a degree of flexibility in them. Finally, Harley has historically not used the best of tyres available. All three of these can contribute to that awful feeling some of us suffer from!
Tyres are easy to fix. There are several options, I prefer Avon Venoms - done! Cleve blocks can also be replaced by after-market solid bushings, which will improve handling and feel on earlier bikes. Harley replaced them with a better system around 2000 I believe.
But the main source of any handling problems is that the rear wheel and swingarm are mounted off the rear of the gearbox and the rear rubber mounts can flex a little. True-Track are one of the earliest to provide a solution, and at least a dozen other brands have jumped on the bandwagon. Their link IMHO comes closest to the Buell system of rear stabilizer and I have their kits on both my Glide and Dyna. My Glide now has their solid brass swingarm bushes.
Having fitted a Trackula kit to my dresser I have ridden it with and without the link. I cannot feel any difference in vibration. I have since replaced my motor with an S&S 107 and that is fine too. However the TT kit improves stability in ALL conditions, even riding in a straight line. It sharpens up the feel and accuracy of the bike and is a very worthwhile improvement.
I have had these kits for over 2 years and since before TT started advertising here on HDF - I went and searched them out!
If you take a look at any Buell or a rubber mount Sportster you will see they have three stabilizer links. The touring bikes, going back to the first rubber mounts, have only two, one at the front of the engine, the other between the heads. In addition, early bikes had cleve block swingarm bushings, which have a degree of flexibility in them. Finally, Harley has historically not used the best of tyres available. All three of these can contribute to that awful feeling some of us suffer from!
Tyres are easy to fix. There are several options, I prefer Avon Venoms - done! Cleve blocks can also be replaced by after-market solid bushings, which will improve handling and feel on earlier bikes. Harley replaced them with a better system around 2000 I believe.
But the main source of any handling problems is that the rear wheel and swingarm are mounted off the rear of the gearbox and the rear rubber mounts can flex a little. True-Track are one of the earliest to provide a solution, and at least a dozen other brands have jumped on the bandwagon. Their link IMHO comes closest to the Buell system of rear stabilizer and I have their kits on both my Glide and Dyna. My Glide now has their solid brass swingarm bushes.
Having fitted a Trackula kit to my dresser I have ridden it with and without the link. I cannot feel any difference in vibration. I have since replaced my motor with an S&S 107 and that is fine too. However the TT kit improves stability in ALL conditions, even riding in a straight line. It sharpens up the feel and accuracy of the bike and is a very worthwhile improvement.
I have had these kits for over 2 years and since before TT started advertising here on HDF - I went and searched them out!
Last edited by grbrown; Jan 14, 2010 at 04:14 AM. Reason: Spelling and grammar!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
These are all Harley Touring bikes....not Sportbikes! The Electra Glides are and were never designed to be ridden like a sportbike. If a person riding their Electra Glide is going 85mph +.......why that speed on a public highway? Please show me some speed limit signs in the U.S. where it says to travel that fast.
Too many riders just hop on their bike and takeoff. Alot of riders just change the fluids and that is pretty much it. They apparently forget tire pressure, tire wear, suspension settings, and other critical fasteners.
The stabalizer items do work. If you don't ride it like a sportbike, then you probably don't need it. Then again, you probably shouldn't be riding it like a sportbike.
I ride older EVO Electra Glides and one with 180,000 miles. Neither has a Stabalizer kit on them. The tire pressure gets checked often, tire gets replaced before it is worn out, and all critical fasteners are checked. I keep desired air in the suspension as well. If a component is worn out, the bike is parked until that component is replaced.
My suggestions.....Quit riding like you stole it. Enjoy the ride, you'll get there eventually!
Don't skimp on any required maintenance! Do an inspection before every ride. When something critical is broken or worn out.....stop riding it and remedy the problem. If the bike suddenly does not feel right, have it checked out. Remember, handling degrades over time.
Handling is in direct correlation with age and mileage....
Would it make sense to install a Stabalizer kit when the bike has some worn out bushing or something is out of alignment?
Too many riders just hop on their bike and takeoff. Alot of riders just change the fluids and that is pretty much it. They apparently forget tire pressure, tire wear, suspension settings, and other critical fasteners.
The stabalizer items do work. If you don't ride it like a sportbike, then you probably don't need it. Then again, you probably shouldn't be riding it like a sportbike.
I ride older EVO Electra Glides and one with 180,000 miles. Neither has a Stabalizer kit on them. The tire pressure gets checked often, tire gets replaced before it is worn out, and all critical fasteners are checked. I keep desired air in the suspension as well. If a component is worn out, the bike is parked until that component is replaced.
My suggestions.....Quit riding like you stole it. Enjoy the ride, you'll get there eventually!
Don't skimp on any required maintenance! Do an inspection before every ride. When something critical is broken or worn out.....stop riding it and remedy the problem. If the bike suddenly does not feel right, have it checked out. Remember, handling degrades over time.
Handling is in direct correlation with age and mileage....
Would it make sense to install a Stabalizer kit when the bike has some worn out bushing or something is out of alignment?