09 ultra wobble
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Wasn't that spec recently reduced to 1 or 2 swings? Not sure if they were talking about everything connected and torqued, but they probably were not. I'm trying to do it right now, I can't really tell if the adjustment washer is moving or not. Not seeing any real change in the swings.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,858
From: Oklahoma
Until now I never knew why the swing test was called "fall away" by so many. The description of the Heritage test makes it clear. A wobble can become deadly. That is why I always figured that somewhat too tight was better than ANY too lose. I have always adjusted mine to be on the tight side and have never had any adverse handling because of it. That also allows for a little wear over time. If you fiddle and tweak until it is exactly right, in 1000 miles it will be too lose again. Grease will be stiffer in winter than in summer so you could get different results in summer as compared to winter with the same setting. I don't believe the engineers had getting EXACTLY the right number of swings in mind when the wrote the manual. Go for the minimum number of swings or a little less and you won't be sorry.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: N.W. Illinois Stephenson County
Is there step by step instructions some where? I would like to become familiar with this process.
My bike shows no sign of wobble after 29k miles and I'd like to keep it that way.
My bike shows no sign of wobble after 29k miles and I'd like to keep it that way.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 6
I just took mine for a test ride. It feels much better, still a little bit of a wobble starting to develop just above 90 mph. I should probably do it again and make it slightly tighter. How do you tell when you get it too tight? What does that feel like?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
If you're feeling a slight "wobble" at that speed, especially if it's noticeable under even or positive acceleration, it's probably a "weave" more than a "wobble". If that's the case you don't want to tighten your adjustment anymore.
A "weave" and a "wobble" can feel somewhat similar (especially to the average rider) and can be misinterpretted. I would distinguish them like this. A wobble is a little more violent, or at a higher frequency, than a weave. A rapid shaking of the bars so to speak. A weave would be less violent and at a lower frequency. More like a slight wandering while riding down the road.
By your description I'd say your adjustment is tight enough and what your feeling is actually a slight weave moreso than a wobble. And if you're going to have one or the other, I'd error slightly towards the weave.
If you can go 50 or 60 mph, let off the throttle, let go of the bars and see if you get any significant shaking as you decellerate. Another test is to cruise along at a steady speed, give your bar a little jolt one way or the other and see if your bike absorbs the jolt and recovers. If neither of these tests will induce a wobble, you're adjustment is tight enough.
Last edited by 2black1s; Dec 16, 2012 at 10:00 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Well my scooter is back together. After all tightened up and back together, I have two swings a very short 3rd, about a inch. It stops being a tad off center to the right. I have not been able to test ride as I just finished it. Is it OK if it does not end up "dead center"? Also it took a full tube of grease, the small tubes, and still no evidence of grease coming out the top. Must have been WAY dry. I thought the 10K was suppose to grease this...oh well.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Well my scooter is back together. After all tightened up and back together, I have two swings a very short 3rd, about a inch. It stops being a tad off center to the right. I have not been able to test ride as I just finished it. Is it OK if it does not end up "dead center"? Also it took a full tube of grease, the small tubes, and still no evidence of grease coming out the top. Must have been WAY dry. I thought the 10K was suppose to grease this...oh well.
Did you check it in both directions? When doing mine I got nearly a swing difference in each direction and just used the average. I attribute that to the outside influences.
It's hard to remove all of the outside influences, i.e., wire harnesses, clutch cable, etc., so I really look at this adjustment as a "get it in the ballpark" kind of adjustment, with my own emphasis on tighter being better than looser.
I have mine adjusted just a tad tighter at 1 swing + a very short second swing.
Last edited by 2black1s; Dec 16, 2012 at 10:30 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
I am guessing this is the nut you are referring to? I have not checked it yet. It is not hand loose I did check that. If this is tight, then remove and go to Steering bearing I am presuming? I did the fall away test, it is awful hard to be sure all the looses connectors do not interfere. I get 3 solid swings with 4 "maybe 5" very small swings. With the 4th and 5th being maybe a inch and 1/2" respectfully.
The handling and steering improved a lot once I adjusted it down to 1 1/2 swings.
Last edited by PghCycle24; Dec 18, 2012 at 06:44 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
It is actually a swing test...The touring bikes have a self centering front end.
