Bagger wobble exposed!
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Club Member
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From: Bedford UK
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Calgary eh
Early bikes, to 2008, have a front stabilizer as stock, which is fine. Adding a rear one is what this thread is all about. The 'silver bullet' is described at #201!
09 and later bikes have no front stabilizer and I don't know of any that are available at present, although that may change before long! Keep your eyes open.....
09 and later bikes have no front stabilizer and I don't know of any that are available at present, although that may change before long! Keep your eyes open.....
Okay, I admit I'm baffled. I was thinking that the products that bolted to the cross member under the frame and attached to the front of the engine were known as a front mounted brace, such as the True Track and others like it. And links like the progressive that mount to the swingarm pivot and connect to the rear of the engine are rear mounted braces.
What am I missing here? If the bike already has a front link then what does a link such as a True Track actually do?
I'm not "Brand shooting" here. There are several methods that manufactures have adopted and it seems there are many types for each method. Just trying to understand what's going on.
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Club Member
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From: Bedford UK
Okay, I admit I'm baffled. I was thinking that the products that bolted to the cross member under the frame and attached to the front of the engine were known as a front mounted brace, such as the True Track and others like it. And links like the progressive that mount to the swingarm pivot and connect to the rear of the engine are rear mounted braces.
What am I missing here? If the bike already has a front link then what does a link such as a True Track actually do?
I'm not "Brand shooting" here. There are several methods that manufactures have adopted and it seems there are many types for each method. Just trying to understand what's going on.
What am I missing here? If the bike already has a front link then what does a link such as a True Track actually do?
I'm not "Brand shooting" here. There are several methods that manufactures have adopted and it seems there are many types for each method. Just trying to understand what's going on.
While both Progressive and True-Track (and others) make kits that are fixed to the bike in different ways and slightly different places, they are both rear stabilizers.
Hope that helps! Read my first post again slowly!!!! Especially the bit under 'Kinematics'.
Last edited by grbrown; Nov 20, 2012 at 10:06 AM.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
All the aftermarket stabilizer kits are intended to support the rear of the trans in some way. There are no aftermarket front stabilizers out there at present, but all 08 and earlier bikes have one as stock. 09 and later bikes do not have a front stabilizer.
While both Progressive and True-Track (and others) make kits that are fixed to the bike in different ways and slightly different places, they are both rear stabilizers.
Hope that helps! Read my first post again slowly!!!! Especially the bit under 'Kinematics'.
While both Progressive and True-Track (and others) make kits that are fixed to the bike in different ways and slightly different places, they are both rear stabilizers.
Hope that helps! Read my first post again slowly!!!! Especially the bit under 'Kinematics'.
I read your post very slowly and carefully. Studied it and understood everything. It is a very good write up and I thank you for putting that together.
I thought for some reason the true track, and others connected to the front of the engine. Now after viewing their web site and looking at the install instructions I see how it works. It connects to the frame cross member under the center of the engine and connects to the rear of the engine. Now it makes more sense to me. I was coming back on here to edit my previous post but you had already replied, sorry about that.
Now, armed with all this quality info, I have to decide which brace to get. It would be a no brainer if I didn't have the center stand (which I really like when it comes time to wash the bike).
Thanks.
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Club Member
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From: Bedford UK
If such things are of interest Baker do an extended oil pan that takes a T-T stabilizer......
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 212
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From: SW Florida
Be assured that if your bike has ever done it to you the experience will be etched in your memory! No risk of forgetting. Please go back to #1 for an explanation, also note that not every rider experiences it, for reasons that are not entirely clear. Sleep peacefully at night!
Never had it, never want it. Not sure I will sleep peacefully after reading this. 04 RoadKing, would appreciate a pm on your recommendations. Thanks for the thread.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 16
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From: MD
Nice improvement
I have 8K miles on my '03 EG and although I have no evidence of deterioration of front motor mount or worn swingarm bushings, I recently installed the True Track based on info gleaned from this website and assorted posted video's.
The immediate improvement I noticed was the way the the motorcycle tracked when starting from a stop and proceeding to the right or left, especially with a passenger on board. Normally when proceeding this way, I would feel the rear of the cycle "dig in", and it would lean a bit more in the direction I was turning. I would then need to throttle up a bit to keep the cycle stable through the turn. I never experienced this weight shift with a roller bearing mounted swingarm.
Fortunately, high speed wobble was never an issue.
With the newly installed rear stabilizer, the motorcycle still runs very smooth at all speeds and all road conditions I've encountered. There is no added vibration.
So for me, the investment was not wasted.
The immediate improvement I noticed was the way the the motorcycle tracked when starting from a stop and proceeding to the right or left, especially with a passenger on board. Normally when proceeding this way, I would feel the rear of the cycle "dig in", and it would lean a bit more in the direction I was turning. I would then need to throttle up a bit to keep the cycle stable through the turn. I never experienced this weight shift with a roller bearing mounted swingarm.
Fortunately, high speed wobble was never an issue.
With the newly installed rear stabilizer, the motorcycle still runs very smooth at all speeds and all road conditions I've encountered. There is no added vibration.
So for me, the investment was not wasted.
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
A difficult choice. Of course you will benefit from a True-Track while riding and the stand when stationary! I get around that by using a front-mounted display stand, but I'm not sure if they are available any more. It is confusing that Harley calls their rear or centre stand a display stand!
If such things are of interest Baker do an extended oil pan that takes a T-T stabilizer......
If such things are of interest Baker do an extended oil pan that takes a T-T stabilizer......
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From: Bedford UK
That's the one Larry. My Evo version has a different thing for treading on, but otherwise the same. It is very easy to use, although only suitable for level ground - I suspect the same applies to the centre stand.