I got a little shimmy??
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 770
Likes: 4
From: Western, KY
I got a little shimmy??
I went to Deals Gap this past weekend on my street glide to ride the dragon. Ive riden it several times before so I knew what to expect and most importantly I know my limitations! I have riden this bike on it once before without any issues. This time however i found that when I was deep into a tight turn the handlebars shook about 1/2 to 3/4 inches back and fourth until I got out of the turn. Very odd feeling. Any ideas what caused this? The bike is a 2011 and it has 9,000 miles.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: Spring, Texas
It wasn't your handlebars turning, it was your rear swing arm flexing or moving.
I have had people ride behind me in hard turns and they say it looks like the rear wheel is loose and wobbling. When it does this, the rear of the bike is being steered by the wobble of the rear wheel.
Here is a video of what it looks like in an extreme example on a police bike........
I have had people ride behind me in hard turns and they say it looks like the rear wheel is loose and wobbling. When it does this, the rear of the bike is being steered by the wobble of the rear wheel.
Here is a video of what it looks like in an extreme example on a police bike........
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 783
Likes: 66
From: Sacramento
I wouldn't be so quick to discount what could be happening in the front end. If the steering neck bearing are out of adjustment, some weird things can happen both with front end shimmy and instability in turns. I've got a bagger brace on my 07 to correct (minimize) the problems in the rear but I recently developed some issues up front that are beyond normal. The steering neck adjustment brought it back to normal. To tighten it up further would require the Tour Track triple tree which is on my Christmas list!!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Start simple .... check / adjust tire pressure. And if you have an air ride adjust that.
Everyone will be ready to jump into stabilizers, and worn bearings but I've found even a pound or two change in my tires can give me a lot of cornering issues.
Everyone will be ready to jump into stabilizers, and worn bearings but I've found even a pound or two change in my tires can give me a lot of cornering issues.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 770
Likes: 4
From: Western, KY
I dont think its in the rear end as Ive riden this bike on the same road without this happenig before and not that it couldnt be but I understood that the new frame design eliminated that issue for the most part. I tend to believe it may be steering neck adjustment. Is there a way to check this?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: Spring, Texas
I dont think its in the rear end as Ive riden this bike on the same road without this happenig before and not that it couldnt be but I understood that the new frame design eliminated that issue for the most part. I tend to believe it may be steering neck adjustment. Is there a way to check this?
That tells me that the rear of the bike is "swaying" or wobbling. the front wheel stays on track and the rear is wobbling back and forth causing the appearance of the bars turning, because they are but it's the back of the bike moving, not the front wheel.
Think about it next time you are leaned over in a turn, try and turn the bars and see what happens.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: Spring, Texas
I dont think its in the rear end as Ive riden this bike on the same road without this happenig before and not that it couldnt be but I understood that the new frame design eliminated that issue for the most part. I tend to believe it may be steering neck adjustment. Is there a way to check this?
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 770
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From: Western, KY
I wish I could describe it better but I feel solid in the seat of the pants so to speak. It just feels strange. never had it happen on this bike before or my 06 RKC.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 684
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From: Indian Head, PA
perform a fall-away test. Lift the bike off the ground and disconnect the clutch cable from the lever. Turn the bars all the way to the left and let them go. Count how many swings before they stop moving. Any more than three and the head bearings are too loose and need adjusted tighter.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: Spring, Texas
This was her exact words....
Sister: "Why does your wheel wobble like it was? Is is lose or something?"
Me: "WTF are you talking about?"
Sister: "When we were taking the off ramp from I-45 to beltway 8 @ 75mph, your rear wheel looked like is was lose and wobbling"
Me: "Hmmmmmmmmm I did feel that strange swaying feeling on that off ramp that I have felt a vew times?"
I have since then been alert and watched for it and now I can visualize what is happening when I feel it.