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Nov 13, 2011 | 03:17 PM

#11

DannyZ71

Thread Starter

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 12,653

Likes: 18

From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Bike is completely stock except for the handlebar switch, and backrest/luggage rack. All of which was dealer installed.

Nov 13, 2011 | 05:02 PM

#12

Lowcountry Joe

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 4,928

Likes: 69

From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC

Is ur front tire in good shape....no cupping or odd wear patterns?

Nov 13, 2011 | 06:43 PM

#13

Liv2Ride_11

1st Gear

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: Honolulu, Hawaii

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowcountry Joe

Is ur front tire in good shape....no cupping or odd wear patterns?

LCJ,

You beat me to it; that is precisely what I was going to suggest. Sometimes the tire will appear to be fine but can contribute to different unwanted steering/handling characteristics.

Another thing I would suggest checking is the steering head adjustment. Make sure it is not too tight or loose.

Aloha.

Nov 14, 2011 | 04:58 PM

#14

DannyZ71

Thread Starter

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 12,653

Likes: 18

From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Tire "appears" fine. I can't see any issues with it at all. Thanks for the replies. I'll update tomorrow when I get back from the dealer, IF they agree and do something to remedy the issue. Right now, I'm more worried about them saying, "it's normal", "it's within specs", or "you're completely nuts and there is nothing wrong with it".

Nov 14, 2011 | 05:10 PM

#15

2black1s

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 3,846

Likes: 173

From: Simi Valley, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyZ71

Tire "appears" fine. I can't see any issues with it at all. Thanks for the replies. I'll update tomorrow when I get back from the dealer, IF they agree and do something to remedy the issue. Right now, I'm more worried about them saying, "it's normal", "it's within specs", or "you're completely nuts and there is nothing wrong with it".

That's why you should check it out yourself first.

Between my current two bikes, I've only gone to the dealer (or anyone else as far as that goes) twice. Once for a brake rotor and once for a radio while under warranty. If it wasn't for the warranty I would have never taken the bike in - I'd just fix it myself or live with it.

In each case I diagnosed the problem beforehand so I knew exactly what the problem was and what the remedy should be before they even saw my bike. Never hurts to be prepared.

Nov 14, 2011 | 06:26 PM

#16

Ragtop

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 7,101

Likes: 1,013

If you can't take both hands off the bars (not at low speed), there is something
wrong there...Of course I am assuming your saddlebags are empty, nothing to make it lean one way or another..
If it pulls one way or the other (with hands off bars), there is something more than the bars causing it I would think...

Nov 14, 2011 | 06:34 PM

#17

Gliden

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 5,323

Likes: 37

From: NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyZ71

It certainly is doing that! Another thing, this is the first Harley I've ever ridden where I'm afraid to take both hands off the bars at the same time. It just doesn't track right, to me. I had no problem doing that with my old Low Rider, and on a few others as well. But this one, uh huh. Just feels squirrely the minute I take them off, so one is always back on in a split second. I know, something else to not mention to the dealer. But surely most of us have done this.

You have a valid point. I was freezing this weekend going down the parkway. I looked down and saw I left my jacket unzipped. I took both hands off the bars doing 75 mph and with one hand pulled the front of my jacket down and the other zipped the jacket up. I went over a few good bumps while no hands on the bars. The bike never tracked off course. My buddy behind me was like *** wipe your gonna get us killed. Lol...bike drove straight though.....

Nov 14, 2011 | 06:44 PM

#18

FLHTCU2007Ken

Tourer

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 455

Likes: 1

From: South Bend, IN

My '84 Nighthawk was like that (after I did the front fork seals myself!) One of the front fork tubes could be out of alignment.

I can ride my Ultra no-handed from 20mph to ???? all day long.

Get 'er checked out.

Regards,
Ken

P.S. I do NOT condone riding "no-handed!"