Bagger wobble exposed!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 45
From: Long Island, NY
I am glad this post was revived it was an education to say the least and I wish to add that I enjoy reading Mr. Browns posts he seems to be most knowledgeable in many things Harley-Davidson related and puts that information in terms that the layman like myself can understand
Ed
Ed
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Hammond, IN.
Me too, my '09 I just purchased with under 2k miles started wobbling on me a few days ago when I removed both hands to adjust my glasses. Have done this many times before with no problem, now 30-45mph seems to expose the problem. As stated above, I've grown up on dirt bikes so it wasn't that alarming.
First, I must get the bike in tip top shape and I've noticed through some research that the original tires (Dunlop 407F) which were replaced by the factory are still on the bike. Even though the bike is an '09 and the guy I purchased it from only put 1500 miles on it, I would think they (Harley/Dunlop) would still want to put the new tire on this for free, no?
I'm waiting on my jack to arrive and will perform the service as to get it into tip top shape and then see where we stand with the wobble.
Much reading to do.
First, I must get the bike in tip top shape and I've noticed through some research that the original tires (Dunlop 407F) which were replaced by the factory are still on the bike. Even though the bike is an '09 and the guy I purchased it from only put 1500 miles on it, I would think they (Harley/Dunlop) would still want to put the new tire on this for free, no?
I'm waiting on my jack to arrive and will perform the service as to get it into tip top shape and then see where we stand with the wobble.
Much reading to do.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
I could induce the wobble on my RK and the bike always felt a little loose to me; thanks to GRBrown and this thread, I installed a brace and the bike feels fantastic now. Very stable, I really noticed the difference.
I went with the Throttle Up brace which is quite a bit cheaper.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...le-issues.html
Thanks to GRBrown for the time making this thread.
I went with the Throttle Up brace which is quite a bit cheaper.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...le-issues.html
Thanks to GRBrown for the time making this thread.
Last edited by Joe_G; Nov 19, 2013 at 08:45 AM.
I've had a Progressive Touring Link in my garage for over a year, got it for my Road King but the bike was gone before the "modified" bracket came from Progressive to work with the stock pipes. Maybe over the winter I'll get around to putting it on and write down my thoughts. I've experienced a wobble/weave on both of my HD's when pushing the bike.
Can anyone who as installed the Progressive unit can tell me if it's an easy/hard job?
Can anyone who as installed the Progressive unit can tell me if it's an easy/hard job?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
I have a progressive link in my garage too. I took it off after using it for a year. I'll sell it for a cheap price to the first bidder. I'd rather sell it than throw it in the recycle bin.
Eric, no it's not hard, takes about 20 minutes to install it.
Eric, no it's not hard, takes about 20 minutes to install it.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Because it felt to me like it was the cause of a high frequency vibration. When I'm going high speed on the highway the vibration is most noticable.
The main reason I removed it is because the drive belt is riding on the inside of the rear sprocket, causing an annoying squeak. I think, and I could be wrong, that the touring link has caused a misalignment in the engine and threw out the tracking of the belt.
The rear of the engine is mounted in rubber mounts, I think the link puts lateral pressure on those mounts throwing out alignment.
Anyone else notice these things after using a progressive link?
The main reason I removed it is because the drive belt is riding on the inside of the rear sprocket, causing an annoying squeak. I think, and I could be wrong, that the touring link has caused a misalignment in the engine and threw out the tracking of the belt.
The rear of the engine is mounted in rubber mounts, I think the link puts lateral pressure on those mounts throwing out alignment.
Anyone else notice these things after using a progressive link?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 413
Likes: 16
From: Killeen, Tx
I have recently noticed a wobble on decel when I let off the throttle and let go of the handle bars, it would turn into a tank slapper if I didn't re-grip the bars. This did not happen before.
I have 39k on the bike now. Is this something the true-Track would fix or is a bushing worn somewhere?
I have 39k on the bike now. Is this something the true-Track would fix or is a bushing worn somewhere?
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Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I have recently noticed a wobble on decel when I let off the throttle and let go of the handle bars, it would turn into a tank slapper if I didn't re-grip the bars. This did not happen before.
I have 39k on the bike now. Is this something the true-Track would fix or is a bushing worn somewhere?
I have 39k on the bike now. Is this something the true-Track would fix or is a bushing worn somewhere?
Once you have checked those and put anything right, a T-T kit will certainly enhance your riding experience!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 21
From: Portland Oregon
From Part your first Thread statement under "Description":
[The engine and trans are bolted together, and the swingarm is mounted directly onto the rear of the trans. Along with the rear wheel this makes up a substantial single Assembly, which is mounted into the frame at three points, of which more shortly. The swingarm axle not only allows the rear wheel to move relative to the rest of the bike, but doubles up as part of the rear mounting.]
When I read this I am trying to figure out why???
My first guess is that the Engineers did the best they could to Avoid lengthening the frame or wheel base and did not have room to mount the rear swing arm directly to the frame.
So... they took the Risk with rider safety.
My Common sense says mount swing arms, steering and wheels to solid metal. The engine and transmission mounted by solid rubber makes sense as long as nothing else _Suspension, Steering) is mounted to those two pieces.
4 wheel vehicles have their axles (housing or mounts) mounted to frame somewhere and usually Welded, Wheels are mounted to axles etc... no rubber between wheel and frame on auto's, AND they have 4 corners. Motorcycles with one wheel front and rear should Never have Rubber anywhere between the Wheel - Steering - or Swing Arm!!
Whatever the Engineers reasons they have put Riders at High Risk for Accident. Two wheels have their own risk for riding as it is.
MHO
[The engine and trans are bolted together, and the swingarm is mounted directly onto the rear of the trans. Along with the rear wheel this makes up a substantial single Assembly, which is mounted into the frame at three points, of which more shortly. The swingarm axle not only allows the rear wheel to move relative to the rest of the bike, but doubles up as part of the rear mounting.]
When I read this I am trying to figure out why???
My first guess is that the Engineers did the best they could to Avoid lengthening the frame or wheel base and did not have room to mount the rear swing arm directly to the frame.
So... they took the Risk with rider safety.
My Common sense says mount swing arms, steering and wheels to solid metal. The engine and transmission mounted by solid rubber makes sense as long as nothing else _Suspension, Steering) is mounted to those two pieces.
4 wheel vehicles have their axles (housing or mounts) mounted to frame somewhere and usually Welded, Wheels are mounted to axles etc... no rubber between wheel and frame on auto's, AND they have 4 corners. Motorcycles with one wheel front and rear should Never have Rubber anywhere between the Wheel - Steering - or Swing Arm!!
Whatever the Engineers reasons they have put Riders at High Risk for Accident. Two wheels have their own risk for riding as it is.
MHO