05 RKC Handling dilema
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
RE: 2005 Road King Custom
If proved to be defective, it should be under warranty. I think if you are unhappy go with the lemon law and get the cash and buy a victory. Then send a picture of your new ride to willie and explain what you had to do.
or pay to have bearings replaced, if no worky, then go with the lemon law and add the price to the case and get a lawyer that specializes in lemon law.
justice for all
or pay to have bearings replaced, if no worky, then go with the lemon law and add the price to the case and get a lawyer that specializes in lemon law.
justice for all
Stage II
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: 2005 Road King Custom
I have a 2000 rkc and have the left leaning problem also.
when I go down the road it feels like the wheels are not under me
but out to the right almost like a crosswind. as for letting go of the
handlebars, the bike instantly goes to the left. The problem
has almost caused me to have an accident more that once.
when I go down the road it feels like the wheels are not under me
but out to the right almost like a crosswind. as for letting go of the
handlebars, the bike instantly goes to the left. The problem
has almost caused me to have an accident more that once.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
ORIGINAL: Markcuda
Why do you find a need to "Let go of the handle bars" anyway????????
Could be the wind speed and/or the wind direction.
Could be road crown.
But, I just don't see the need for us to go down the road with out hands on the bars
If I let go of the handle bars the bike pulls to the left pretty hard.
Could be the wind speed and/or the wind direction.
Could be road crown.
But, I just don't see the need for us to go down the road with out hands on the bars
I don't think he has a "need" to let go. but letting go sure disclosed a problem with his bike. I wouldn't sleep knowing this.
Go to the highest level management...this could be a hazardous safety issue.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
My 06 Road Glide will trac straight with no hands as well as my old Roadstar.No bike should pull to the side if set up properly.
Of course riding with no hands is safe,if you hit something your down!
Of course riding with no hands is safe,if you hit something your down!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
From: Jersey Shore
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
Don't get me wrong, I don't make it a habit to ride without hands on the bars but sometimes you like to drop the arms for a moment while slowing down and shake 'em out.
If your bike pulls you into oncoming traffic, then thats a problem.
Every 2 wheeled vehicle should track straight if the wheels are aligned correctly.
I'm trying to locate the alignment tools for the rear fork to borrow or rent but havn't had any luck. Besides $300.00 for the tools to buy on a hunch and 1 time use doesn't make sense to me.
Oh well, onward with my quest.
If your bike pulls you into oncoming traffic, then thats a problem.
Every 2 wheeled vehicle should track straight if the wheels are aligned correctly.
I'm trying to locate the alignment tools for the rear fork to borrow or rent but havn't had any luck. Besides $300.00 for the tools to buy on a hunch and 1 time use doesn't make sense to me.
Oh well, onward with my quest.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 1
From:
RE: 2005 Road King Custom
ORIGINAL: smt57
I have a 2000 rkc and have the left leaning problem also.
when I go down the road it feels like the wheels are not under me
but out to the right almost like a crosswind. as for letting go of the
handlebars, the bike instantly goes to the left. The problem
has almost caused me to have an accident more that once.
I have a 2000 rkc and have the left leaning problem also.
when I go down the road it feels like the wheels are not under me
but out to the right almost like a crosswind. as for letting go of the
handlebars, the bike instantly goes to the left. The problem
has almost caused me to have an accident more that once.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 3
From: Anaheim
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
ORIGINAL: hillbilly64
this is the copy of what was posted on another forum by dmax that JBBooks was refuring to:
05 RKC pulling to left, I fixed it myself!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So my 2005 roadking was pulling to the left pretty bad. I read on here somewhere that lot's of the bikes were doing this and the dealers don't know how to fix it.
Being an engineer, I got to thinking. There's really only one way a bike can drift off center assuming the weight is balanced side to side. The rear tire has to be misaligned with the chassis. The front will tend to track on it's own due to caster, and shouldn't be a problem. Misalignment must be caused by the rear tire steering the bike. Checking the book, there is a method to align the bike. They call for some sort of H-D "alignment bars". Sounds expensive to me. Instead I went to Sears and got a $35 laser level. I placed the level against the rear tire sidewall, projecting a beam parallel with the bike towards the front. Then using calipers, I measured the distance from the front and rear edges of the front tire to the beam. Doing this for both sides of the bike, I calculated that the rear tire was misaligned by .750" with respect to the front. The book says this spec should be .030"! 3/4" is way out from .030" And you wonder why the bike can change lanes by itself! To adjust, I shortened the front frame to engine mount link. I had to turn it 1.5 turns. You must also loosen a few structural parts first, and then torque everything back when you're done. This is part of the 1000 mile service anyway. So I got it to within .010" front to rear alignment. Took it around the block and it's fixed! I can ride with no hands forever. Leaning my body with no hands, the bike will turn both ways equally. I also notice the initial turn-in is smoother, probably because I'm not fighting a constant left drift.
This is sort of like toe on a car. Another adjustment at the top of the bike is kind of like camber on a car. I'll check that one out tomorrow. Anybody who says these bikes can't be aligned (stealers) is dead wrong. My guess is the assembly guys threw together a bunch of these bikes with the same front link error, and so they all tend to pull left. What you're doing is actually bending the bike. The front wheel and chassis, are bending with respect to the engine/tranny/rear tire. You don't want to **** the rear axle because the belt won't run parallel.
this is the copy of what was posted on another forum by dmax that JBBooks was refuring to:
05 RKC pulling to left, I fixed it myself!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So my 2005 roadking was pulling to the left pretty bad. I read on here somewhere that lot's of the bikes were doing this and the dealers don't know how to fix it.
Being an engineer, I got to thinking. There's really only one way a bike can drift off center assuming the weight is balanced side to side. The rear tire has to be misaligned with the chassis. The front will tend to track on it's own due to caster, and shouldn't be a problem. Misalignment must be caused by the rear tire steering the bike. Checking the book, there is a method to align the bike. They call for some sort of H-D "alignment bars". Sounds expensive to me. Instead I went to Sears and got a $35 laser level. I placed the level against the rear tire sidewall, projecting a beam parallel with the bike towards the front. Then using calipers, I measured the distance from the front and rear edges of the front tire to the beam. Doing this for both sides of the bike, I calculated that the rear tire was misaligned by .750" with respect to the front. The book says this spec should be .030"! 3/4" is way out from .030" And you wonder why the bike can change lanes by itself! To adjust, I shortened the front frame to engine mount link. I had to turn it 1.5 turns. You must also loosen a few structural parts first, and then torque everything back when you're done. This is part of the 1000 mile service anyway. So I got it to within .010" front to rear alignment. Took it around the block and it's fixed! I can ride with no hands forever. Leaning my body with no hands, the bike will turn both ways equally. I also notice the initial turn-in is smoother, probably because I'm not fighting a constant left drift.
This is sort of like toe on a car. Another adjustment at the top of the bike is kind of like camber on a car. I'll check that one out tomorrow. Anybody who says these bikes can't be aligned (stealers) is dead wrong. My guess is the assembly guys threw together a bunch of these bikes with the same front link error, and so they all tend to pull left. What you're doing is actually bending the bike. The front wheel and chassis, are bending with respect to the engine/tranny/rear tire. You don't want to **** the rear axle because the belt won't run parallel.
sounds like a fix here...................
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Stage II
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
I DON'T LET GO THE bars. But I have TO HOLD THE BIKE to the right or sit to the right side of
seat to help keep it upright. when cruising at about 55 mph the bike is tilted to the left.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE ALL THIS LETTING GO THE BARS IS COMING FROM. BUT IF THE
BIKE PULLS WHEN HOLDING THE BARS LIGHTLY OR EVEN LETTING GO, THERE IS A PROBLEM.
seat to help keep it upright. when cruising at about 55 mph the bike is tilted to the left.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE ALL THIS LETTING GO THE BARS IS COMING FROM. BUT IF THE
BIKE PULLS WHEN HOLDING THE BARS LIGHTLY OR EVEN LETTING GO, THERE IS A PROBLEM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 1,192
From: Anywhere we stop
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
My UC has no pull, I can set the cruise and let go of the bars and she tracks dead straight, at any speed. I would try an outside shop that knows what they are doing and take up the bill with HD when they fix it. Just my .02