Bagger wobble exposed!
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
After all the discussion about rubber mounting, cleve blocks, replacement bushings, spherical bearings, etc etc, I am questioning which way to proceed. OEM replacement parts, cheap aftermarket or on up the line through the expensive upgrades (velva-ride and so on).
Sorry for the long question, just enjoy this bike tremendously, am not made of money, but want to do it so it will be acceptable for a good while. I am leaning towards complete OE< replacement parts - any thoughts?
Sorry for the long question, just enjoy this bike tremendously, am not made of money, but want to do it so it will be acceptable for a good while. I am leaning towards complete OE< replacement parts - any thoughts?
Avoid the stock cleve blocks, they are not to be recommended! Your bike had them when new and for replacements I suggest using alternative solid swingarm bushings. I have True-Track, but there are many other brands, some made of metal, others are some form of plastic. Sponsor Motorcycle Metal also sells them, possibly at discount to HDF members.
The True-Track stabilizer kit is very worthwhile - starve for a month, if ya have to!
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: OR
Ok its a lot of info here. But I am frustrated as to why my bike wobbles above 90mph, recently.
Riding a 2013 SG.
Bike was performing fine above 90mph, after I took out the batwing, replaced stock speakers, put back the batwing and screwed in a screw at the bottom of the batwing which was missing and changed to a Michelin Commander rear tire.
Thereafter, my bike start to wobble.
Could it be my tyre issue? or bat wing issue?
Riding a 2013 SG.
Bike was performing fine above 90mph, after I took out the batwing, replaced stock speakers, put back the batwing and screwed in a screw at the bottom of the batwing which was missing and changed to a Michelin Commander rear tire.
Thereafter, my bike start to wobble.
Could it be my tyre issue? or bat wing issue?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,656
Likes: 8,261
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
Ok its a lot of info here. But I am frustrated as to why my bike wobbles above 90mph, recently.
Riding a 2013 SG.
Bike was performing fine above 90mph, after I took out the batwing, replaced stock speakers, put back the batwing and screwed in a screw at the bottom of the batwing which was missing and changed to a Michelin Commander rear tire.
Thereafter, my bike start to wobble.
Could it be my tyre issue? or bat wing issue?
Riding a 2013 SG.
Bike was performing fine above 90mph, after I took out the batwing, replaced stock speakers, put back the batwing and screwed in a screw at the bottom of the batwing which was missing and changed to a Michelin Commander rear tire.
Thereafter, my bike start to wobble.
Could it be my tyre issue? or bat wing issue?
Generally a new tire usually helps but it could be an issue.. I own an 07 EGC that has always been slightly bobbley on hard corners when the road surface has been uneven at speeds above 70/80. It did pretty well with Avon cobras, E3s and CIIs. It didn't like American Elites. It has hardware to stabilize the rear and the every thing has been gone through at one time or another.. Steering bearing preload, Fork bushings, alignment, suspension up grades, swingarm bearings, rubber donuts, wheels, wheel bearings etc. It still likes to dance a little when pushed hard. Bike has almost 80,000 miles on it..
It currently has an E4 on the rear and a 1/2 worn CII 130-18 on the front. I run street glide wheels. Much of the issue seems to be rider induced. Trying to hole the bike steady can make it worse. I'm sure the Khromewerks pull back bars and C&C seat are not helping with stability. The 2 move the riding position back which I think contributes to the instability.
I have been having belt tracking issues (it's always been a bit off) so I decided to grind the snail cam stop until the rear belt tracked better. Only toke about 0.020" off.. That coupled with the new tire has helped but I really need to get some more miles on it.. I plan on redoing the alignment next since the direction of the rear wheel has changed slightly.
One of the things I've thought about is removing the radio and speakers to see if it helps. I don't use them so for me it's not a big loss..
I do think that weight on the front makes a big difference. I have an 02 RKC that runs like it's on rails after simple suspension up-grades and mag wheels. IMO it handles slightly better than the 2017 M8 RK that I have. It mainly feels lighter and has more neutral steering but is every bit as stable. It has over 70,000 mile on it.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
From: Temecula CA
You are indeed fortunate as mentioned. I was quite surprised when I purchased my new to me, 2011 SG. The instability on long sweeping curves was immediately noticeable. I thought I was buying a "sofa glide" ! The instability was on par with the rigid, big tire chopper I rode for years.
Anyway, it's definitely not made up to sell aftermarket parts.
I will have to follow one of/some of the suggestions in this thread to obtain that sofa glide ride I was expecting.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,549
From: Western South Dakota
I was going 25-30 mph and the front end just started shaking violently back and forth. It felt like I guess a flat tire might feel even though I've never had one(Thank God).
Took it to my local shop and had it checked out, some grease added to the neck bearing and play in it was w/in spec so nothing further was done.
It was kinda spooky though.
I would have probably lost it had I been going over 35-40 mph.
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Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Ok its a lot of info here. But I am frustrated as to why my bike wobbles above 90mph, recently.
Riding a 2013 SG.
Bike was performing fine above 90mph, after I took out the batwing, replaced stock speakers, put back the batwing and screwed in a screw at the bottom of the batwing which was missing and changed to a Michelin Commander rear tire.
Thereafter, my bike start to wobble.
Could it be my tyre issue? or bat wing issue?
Riding a 2013 SG.
Bike was performing fine above 90mph, after I took out the batwing, replaced stock speakers, put back the batwing and screwed in a screw at the bottom of the batwing which was missing and changed to a Michelin Commander rear tire.
Thereafter, my bike start to wobble.
Could it be my tyre issue? or bat wing issue?