03 RKC front end shimmy
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 87
From: Huntington, NY
03 RKC front end shimmy
Just picked up a 03 RKC a few months ago and for the most part digging it. Bike was a display bike a at local dealer for many years and was barely ridden only having 1900mi when I picked it up. I also have an 04 FXDL since new so not my first HD.
My question is, are these things inherently wobbly at highway speeds? Reason I am asking is that from day 1 I felt the front end seemed a little squishy and wanted to almost bounce off the road sometimes while making the front end seem wobbly. It's almost as though the bike needs a steering stabilizer or something to stop the front end from shimmying. That doesn't sound normal right?? It only seems to happen between 70-80 mph too.
Since then I have done a few little mods (bagger brace, 12" progressives rear and 1" drop in front to even out the suspension [I'm short], new avon cobra www 36psi front and 40psi rear) and even with these it still seems to be there if not worse (since front springs are a little stiffer now). First thought would be to blame the suspension mods but like I stated, it was there from day 1 when the bike was 100% stock.
Is there something I am missing?? Is it possible I am overreacting since I am used to my dyna?? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
My question is, are these things inherently wobbly at highway speeds? Reason I am asking is that from day 1 I felt the front end seemed a little squishy and wanted to almost bounce off the road sometimes while making the front end seem wobbly. It's almost as though the bike needs a steering stabilizer or something to stop the front end from shimmying. That doesn't sound normal right?? It only seems to happen between 70-80 mph too.
Since then I have done a few little mods (bagger brace, 12" progressives rear and 1" drop in front to even out the suspension [I'm short], new avon cobra www 36psi front and 40psi rear) and even with these it still seems to be there if not worse (since front springs are a little stiffer now). First thought would be to blame the suspension mods but like I stated, it was there from day 1 when the bike was 100% stock.
Is there something I am missing?? Is it possible I am overreacting since I am used to my dyna?? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 87
From: Huntington, NY
tire pressures 36F / 40R
May need to look into neck bearing adj. myself - I had the bike looked over at a reputable shop here on LI and the owner took the bike for a road test and told me it rode perfectly but I'm not sure he got it on the hwy and thats where you feel it.
I wish I could describe what it feels like better - my main reason for getting a FLH was so that I could be more comfortable on the hwy compared to my dyna and honestly it's not a comfortable feeling at all so somethings gotta be off...
May need to look into neck bearing adj. myself - I had the bike looked over at a reputable shop here on LI and the owner took the bike for a road test and told me it rode perfectly but I'm not sure he got it on the hwy and thats where you feel it.
I wish I could describe what it feels like better - my main reason for getting a FLH was so that I could be more comfortable on the hwy compared to my dyna and honestly it's not a comfortable feeling at all so somethings gotta be off...
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 595
Likes: 21
From: Weston, Fl
Also try greasing the front fork bearings, probably dry in there from sitting. Plus with all the construction going on roads there isn't helping. A nice ride is along the water in Douglaston Manor. I grew up in Little Neck and visit family up there often.
Ed
Ed
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Myrtle Beach,SC
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From: Indiana, USA
I will assume you changed the tires because of the age not wear and you did this 1st before riding much. Also assume the tire and wheel assembly was balanced. Is it possible the front axle was not properly torqued? Maybe the front wheel is floating between the bushings and the bearings..... Get front wheel off the ground and check for no end play or side to side movement of the wheel asm on the axle.
Loosen front axle nut on left side and 2 cap nuts on right side - insert 7/16 pin and torque axle nut to spec and cap nuts to spec. I belienut to 60 ft lbs then torque cap nuts to 150 in lbs.
Loosen front axle nut on left side and 2 cap nuts on right side - insert 7/16 pin and torque axle nut to spec and cap nuts to spec. I belienut to 60 ft lbs then torque cap nuts to 150 in lbs.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 87
From: Huntington, NY
I will assume you changed the tires because of the age not wear and you did this 1st before riding much. Also assume the tire and wheel assembly was balanced. Is it possible the front axle was not properly torqued? Maybe the front wheel is floating between the bushings and the bearings..... Get front wheel off the ground and check for no end play or side to side movement of the wheel asm on the axle.
Loosen front axle nut on left side and 2 cap nuts on right side - insert 7/16 pin and torque axle nut to spec and cap nuts to spec. I belienut to 60 ft lbs then torque cap nuts to 150 in lbs.
Loosen front axle nut on left side and 2 cap nuts on right side - insert 7/16 pin and torque axle nut to spec and cap nuts to spec. I belienut to 60 ft lbs then torque cap nuts to 150 in lbs.
I am thinking like some others here that it may be the steering head bearings but will look into the axle torque also. Why not check everything - thanks for the info will update when I get some time to look into it.