Bagger wobble exposed!

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Jul 21, 2012 | 08:36 PM

#171

Canyonrider

Advanced

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 77

Likes: 1

From: South Western Co

Great

Mr Brown
Could you add me to your pm list. Very educational. My wife was committing about the feeling just yesterday.
Thanks for your time.

Jul 21, 2012 | 09:51 PM

#172

hog95023

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 3,542

Likes: 161

From: Booming metropolis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pondskipper

I already knew that, I set it up properly and ride it fast and hard, it had a wobble in fast corners before I sorted out the tire pressures and front forks.

Listen to the children as they play ain't it Kinda of funny what the children say. Skip a rope

Last edited by hog95023; Jul 21, 2012 at 09:54 PM.

Jul 21, 2012 | 10:03 PM

#173

bigskyhd

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 8,051

Likes: 50

From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)

Graham, I appreciate your time and comments, and especially the PMs to help me sort out my particular issues. I for one, really appreciate all the time and energy you've spent on this issue. Thanks.

Jul 22, 2012 | 07:11 AM

#174

billqbiker

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 25

Likes: 3

From:

Bagger Wobble Exposed!

Excellent and very informative write-up! Please include me on your PM list of your recommendation and reasoning.

Jul 22, 2012 | 07:55 AM

#175

mike5380

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 876

Likes: 5

From: Springfield, MO

Wow. Everytime I think I'm about done with the mods, another thread like this one pops up. I've never expereinced the wobble, but I'd much rather do something proactive about it. You've got me thinking about it, sir, so I thank you for that.

Mike

Jul 22, 2012 | 11:08 AM

#176

Tooth

Cruiser

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 121

Likes: 1

From: Oregon

Mr Brown
alittle off the track but
Have you ever owned, ridden or spent time with a BMW with a boxer engine? THe flat twin creates a an oscillating movement pattern over the entire bike on idle. At high revs that obviously levels out quickly. I wonder how your last quote of Buell plays out relative to a Beemer flat twin.

sorry to diverge from the OP......just a little science.

Wobbles occur on many types of bikes for many reasons. Most are created by a perfect storm of worn parts, tires, and tire pressures. Could Harleys be design improved? I am sure. Is it inherently unsafe...my opinion is no. As most of us have not had wobble issues. I still maintain that the OP is of great value for all who are not only performance oriented but concerned with safety.
thanks again Mr Brown

Jul 23, 2012 | 03:48 AM

#177

grbrown

Thread Starter

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,897

From: Bedford UK

Hi Tooth,

I've owned BMW bikes almost as long as I've owned Harleys, including two R100RSs, one from new. Those engines are bolted in solid and do not use any form of rubber mount system. The system designed by Buell is expressly intended to allow the engine to move on it's mounts, so it doesn't relate to BMWs.

The pistons of a flat twin (indeed any flat engine) move in opposite pairs, so they are balanced, one piston against the other. There are other out of balance forces in a flat twin, but they are not as big as in our V-twins, so they don't need the same level of vibration isolation.

Wobbles in other bikes are largely down to other design short comings. The solid mount Glide frames that pre-date the first FLTs were just plain flexible, not stiff enough! I did my time on them.....