The Wobble, A Comprehensive Look into Cause, Effect, and Fix
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
For all we know there could be a Neracar under that streamlining!
You may recall that Triumph streamliner was destroyed in a fire at the Birmingham museum, a few years ago? While in the USA in 2003 (for H-D's Centenary) we bumped into Bill Taylor, a photographer and regular Bonneville attendee. Apparently the people who made the 'cigar' still had the moulds, so were able to make a fresh one, as seen in your photo.
Returning to front ends, as an engineer I have followed with interest all the variations in Tony Foales article, over the years, plus a few others. Another was a system trialled by BMW before they settled on their current design, designed in Manchester IIRC by a chap named Roe. That was a pair of large diameter tubes with internal shocks and a short leading link each side. I suspect it had limited travel (Roe sold a few sets to private buyers, one of whom I had a long chat with), although they were far stiffer and gave better wheel control than the forks of the day (late 1970s-early 1980s).
I would be very surprised if Howard has an upside-down forks solution that fit any of the RK models. I briefly looked into them as a possibility myself, but concluded that they presented challenges that might be difficult to overcome. If I lived on the same Continent and could visit him easily I would have investigated further.
You may recall that Triumph streamliner was destroyed in a fire at the Birmingham museum, a few years ago? While in the USA in 2003 (for H-D's Centenary) we bumped into Bill Taylor, a photographer and regular Bonneville attendee. Apparently the people who made the 'cigar' still had the moulds, so were able to make a fresh one, as seen in your photo.
Returning to front ends, as an engineer I have followed with interest all the variations in Tony Foales article, over the years, plus a few others. Another was a system trialled by BMW before they settled on their current design, designed in Manchester IIRC by a chap named Roe. That was a pair of large diameter tubes with internal shocks and a short leading link each side. I suspect it had limited travel (Roe sold a few sets to private buyers, one of whom I had a long chat with), although they were far stiffer and gave better wheel control than the forks of the day (late 1970s-early 1980s).
I would be very surprised if Howard has an upside-down forks solution that fit any of the RK models. I briefly looked into them as a possibility myself, but concluded that they presented challenges that might be difficult to overcome. If I lived on the same Continent and could visit him easily I would have investigated further.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 446
From: South Florida
I learned something from the Vic forums today. Seems that they too, have some issues with wobble. The new Gunner is notorious for it. Multiple hits when you search over at their forums.
Guess it's more of a bike issue, than a Harley issue.
Guess it's more of a bike issue, than a Harley issue.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Here we go again: Roe front forks. Photos aren't very good, but give the right idea.
Front forks on my Honda Helix scooter. Smooths out the tar strips and little bumps better than the Glide. Reversed from the Roe, shocks on the back side.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
From: LA
On the subject of True-Tracks, is the transmission on the later models the same as the transmission on the Evos?
I see they have changed their design for the rear cage on the '09 model upwards? The later one looks better (forget the frame mount, I know it's different. I know someone selling just the rear cage and wondering if I could just weld a mount to the cross member).
93 - 2008 ...
2009 upwards ...
I see they have changed their design for the rear cage on the '09 model upwards? The later one looks better (forget the frame mount, I know it's different. I know someone selling just the rear cage and wondering if I could just weld a mount to the cross member).
93 - 2008 ...
2009 upwards ...
Last edited by Dun Roamin; Oct 19, 2014 at 10:22 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
On the subject of True-Tracks, is the transmission on the later models the same as the transmission on the Evos?
I see they have changed their design for the rear cage on the '09 model upwards? The later one looks better (forget the frame mount, I know it's different. I know someone selling just the rear cage and wondering if I could just weld a mount to the cross member).
I see they have changed their design for the rear cage on the '09 model upwards? The later one looks better (forget the frame mount, I know it's different. I know someone selling just the rear cage and wondering if I could just weld a mount to the cross member).
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 678
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From: LA
And yet the old model says, "93 - 2008". That suggested to me '93 to date all used the same - which would not surprise me.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Agreed. Could be that the front end of the oilpan is different on later models, hence different gasket, dunnow. Perhaps you'll be fine after all!
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From: Lake County, IL
Banned
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 678
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From: LA
Hmmn, I'd say about 35 years, there's a Z1R and a Laverda Jota in there, isn't there?
Do the True-Track allow the transmission to move in a slight but insignificant arc? Isn't there a new one that only allows movement straight up and down?
Do the True-Track allow the transmission to move in a slight but insignificant arc? Isn't there a new one that only allows movement straight up and down?