03 RKC front end shimmy
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 87
From: Huntington, NY
Nice little area over there - from Bayside originally but living out in Huntington now.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
My 03 road king(hard bags) had a 'wobble' at times, most noticeable when in turns or at highway speeds on the slab. Seemed any air turbulence started it, I made it mad by adding a fairing and fork deflectors when it turned out to be in the rear swing arm/rear engine mount, bushings were soft and springy.
Replaced those to an update type aftermarket but was unhappy with the increased vibrations until I just got used to it as the wobble was reduced drastically. I had tried all the triple tree adjustments, greasings, wheel bearings and checked everything else before ending up at the rear mounts.
I was told this was considered bagger wobble.
Replaced those to an update type aftermarket but was unhappy with the increased vibrations until I just got used to it as the wobble was reduced drastically. I had tried all the triple tree adjustments, greasings, wheel bearings and checked everything else before ending up at the rear mounts.
I was told this was considered bagger wobble.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 87
From: Huntington, NY
My 03 road king(hard bags) had a 'wobble' at times, most noticeable when in turns or at highway speeds on the slab. Seemed any air turbulence started it, I made it mad by adding a fairing and fork deflectors when it turned out to be in the rear swing arm/rear engine mount, bushings were soft and springy.
Replaced those to an update type aftermarket but was unhappy with the increased vibrations until I just got used to it as the wobble was reduced drastically. I had tried all the triple tree adjustments, greasings, wheel bearings and checked everything else before ending up at the rear mounts.
I was told this was considered bagger wobble.
Replaced those to an update type aftermarket but was unhappy with the increased vibrations until I just got used to it as the wobble was reduced drastically. I had tried all the triple tree adjustments, greasings, wheel bearings and checked everything else before ending up at the rear mounts.
I was told this was considered bagger wobble.
Thanks for the reply though
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,621
Likes: 6,441
From: Honah Lee
These bikes are sprung pretty loose. Not sure why you are doing 70-80 on a rough road but that's up to you. My 04 actually says not to exceed 80 with two and 90 solo, so keep in mind the technology. Check you fall away correctly to the manual. No more miles then you have, I doubt you have a bearing problem, but I have found the damper of old thing is exactly opposite of what these bikes need. If your fallaway is too much (tight, all you really need on tapered roller bearings is the clearance gone) you tend to oversteer and cause the problem, just like rough roads shift your weight around and you get roll steer. Just a thought.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Your tyre pressures are wrong, so start by putting them right! From Avon's website:
"FLHR / I / CI Road King / Classic (1994 - 2003)
Front Tyre
Cobra
Pressure front:
2.6 bar (38psi)
Front size:
MT90B16 74H (also WW)
Rear Tyre
Cobra
Pressure rear:
3.0 bar (44psi)
Rear size:
MT90B16 74H or 140/90B16 77H (also WW)"
When using tyres other than stock, ALWAYS check the manufacturer's website! It's no wonder your bike doesn't feel quite right! If you're heavy, or riding 2-up, those pressures should be increased further.
"FLHR / I / CI Road King / Classic (1994 - 2003)
Front Tyre
Cobra
Pressure front:
2.6 bar (38psi)
Front size:
MT90B16 74H (also WW)
Rear Tyre
Cobra
Pressure rear:
3.0 bar (44psi)
Rear size:
MT90B16 74H or 140/90B16 77H (also WW)"
When using tyres other than stock, ALWAYS check the manufacturer's website! It's no wonder your bike doesn't feel quite right! If you're heavy, or riding 2-up, those pressures should be increased further.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 87
From: Huntington, NY
UPDATE
Was going to check things myself this weekend but Friday on my way home from work I rode the bike directly to the shop I had the front end lowered at and had the owner take the bike for a ride. He came back 15 min later and felt the same sloppiness I did when on the hwy. He also said he thought the steering head bearings out of adjustment/dry so I left it with him to adjust properly.
Got a call Sat afternoon to come get the bike and took it for a good 45 min ride up and down the parkway - WOW, its a different bike!! I can't believe it made that much of a difference! The bike rides so much nicer, no more sloppiness at all.
Also regarding the tires, yesterday I adjusted the pressure according to Avon's recommendations above (thanks grbrown) and took it out or a nice ride afterward. Didn't notice any real handling difference but the bike did seem to track a little better.
Thanks again for everyone's input
Was going to check things myself this weekend but Friday on my way home from work I rode the bike directly to the shop I had the front end lowered at and had the owner take the bike for a ride. He came back 15 min later and felt the same sloppiness I did when on the hwy. He also said he thought the steering head bearings out of adjustment/dry so I left it with him to adjust properly.
Got a call Sat afternoon to come get the bike and took it for a good 45 min ride up and down the parkway - WOW, its a different bike!! I can't believe it made that much of a difference! The bike rides so much nicer, no more sloppiness at all.
Also regarding the tires, yesterday I adjusted the pressure according to Avon's recommendations above (thanks grbrown) and took it out or a nice ride afterward. Didn't notice any real handling difference but the bike did seem to track a little better.
Thanks again for everyone's input
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
monkey sammich
Touring Models
34
Sep 13, 2014 04:51 PM
CSS_FXD
Softail Models
71
May 29, 2012 02:23 PM
Jumpman
General Harley Davidson Chat
18
May 27, 2008 08:35 PM
