Fork Wobble

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Jan 4, 2011 | 11:09 AM

jmltinc

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Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 17

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Fork Wobble

It was suggested I post this here as well. Good idea, as it may save a life:

Hello to all,

I have a serious fork wobble on my '97 Road King. It will shudder at 100 MPH on the straight (sometimes), will wobble on a pressed lane change at highway speeds (sometimes), and is absolutely unsafe on tight curves at 45+ MPH. The bike will sit until this resolved.

Leaning or pressing into the curve seems to make it worse. There is no holding the bars from wobbling, and it feels the front end is going to fold like a suitcase. Even more scary, is the bike does not want to respond to a lean or press in a curve - just wobble more.

I put it on a jack. The forks have almost no resistance, but the bearings are not loose - that is, there is no play. No play in the wheel bearings either. No cupping of the tire.

I expect it is the rear of the bike (perhaps a swingarm?). I will remove the bags and inspect it, but suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
-John

P.S. The Good Samaritan suggested spokes, yet to be checked.

Jan 4, 2011 | 11:16 AM

RayK

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 43

Likes: 1

From: Ontario, Can

Try changing fork oil, check the steering head bearings for preload and retorque your rear swing arm through bolt. All these steps are in the service manual. good luck, Ray.

Jan 4, 2011 | 11:20 AM

dawg

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 28,514

Likes: 3,951

From: Vermont

Being a 97 I'd be replacing the swing arm bushings and motor mount with the Glide Pro system, I'd be going through the steering head bearing and tightening and replacing anything that needs it, then I'd perform the alignment procedure. I'd also check the spokes and tires and bearings in the wheels. This would all be good preventive maintenance anyway.

Jan 4, 2011 | 11:25 AM

FXDWG30

Advanced

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 63

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From: Upstate NY

Did you recently get tires? Not a mechanic so I cant explain it but on my 06 WG I had the tires changed. After about a thousand miles the front end started a shimmy. Had the front balanced twice, didn't help. Steering head bearing was fine, axle fine too. Rode with it until rear needed replacing and had them do the front too. New tires and it rode fine, absolutely no shimmy at all.

Apr 16, 2011 | 04:46 PM

jmltinc

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Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 17

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Fork Wobble Resolved (Almost)

Hello to all again,

I said I would reply, but a new career got in the way - even riding! Goodbye to Phoenix and my Colt, hello Southern California and a helmet.

After:

Replacing lower sliders (with chrome) along with bushings, seals and 20W oil: The oil was black and the split bushings not aligned correctly.
Replacing front wheel bearings: Discolored, but tight.
Replacing front tire; 16" H-D (Dunlop): Cupped.
Replacing neck bearings: Although preload was OK, they appeared to be original as there were roller marks in the lower race. Both bearings were discolored.
Inspection of rear swing-arm and alignment showed no flaws.

I am happy to say that it is better... At least it is now predictable. I can lean into a turn without it suddenly breaking into a tank-slapper. However, if I 'push' the bars (countersteer) into a turn or push when changing lanes under hard acceleration, it will wobble a bit. There is also a sense of wobble at very high speed only with the windshield mounted.

So, your suggestions, ~ $700, and some dirty fingernails gave me a dependable and safe scooter. Now, I just need time to ride - suggestions???

Thanks to all.
-John

Last edited by jmltinc; Apr 16, 2011 at 08:22 PM.