Front wheel shimmy/wobble???
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
Front wheel shimmy/wobble???
Okay, I'm a bit stumped and would like some honest input.
My '05 sporty has developed a small shimmy/wobble type feeling. New tire (front and back) approx. 2000 miles ago. Tire inflation is good (check regularly), so far no odd tire wear noted. Everything looks solid as far as bolts, etc.
Only two things that come to mind for me (and I'm the first to admit, I'm not a brain of a wrench). I know I need to replace my fork oil and seals, as I've noticed some seepage, but I don't think that would be a cause. The wheel was balanced at tire change, but possible cause? Lastly, I've never experienced any worn bearings, could this be a possible cause?
Thanks in advance for your input. It'll help before I go consult my indy wrench.
Ride safe.
My '05 sporty has developed a small shimmy/wobble type feeling. New tire (front and back) approx. 2000 miles ago. Tire inflation is good (check regularly), so far no odd tire wear noted. Everything looks solid as far as bolts, etc.
Only two things that come to mind for me (and I'm the first to admit, I'm not a brain of a wrench). I know I need to replace my fork oil and seals, as I've noticed some seepage, but I don't think that would be a cause. The wheel was balanced at tire change, but possible cause? Lastly, I've never experienced any worn bearings, could this be a possible cause?
Thanks in advance for your input. It'll help before I go consult my indy wrench.
Ride safe.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 2
From: Puerto Rico
Jack it up, and give her a spin... waddaya see? bent rim? Hit any pot-holes?
While it's up check fer side play (bearings), gotta be one or the other!
Spoked front? Needs truing! Alloy? Idunno... but yu shud see it, and I would ride the bike til I found out what it is... Yu cud have an aweful surprise.
While it's up check fer side play (bearings), gotta be one or the other!
Spoked front? Needs truing! Alloy? Idunno... but yu shud see it, and I would ride the bike til I found out what it is... Yu cud have an aweful surprise.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
Jack it up, and give her a spin... waddaya see? bent rim? Hit any pot-holes?
While it's up check fer side play (bearings), gotta be one or the other!
Spoked front? Needs truing! Alloy? Idunno... but yu shud see it, and I would ride the bike til I found out what it is... Yu cud have an aweful surprise.
While it's up check fer side play (bearings), gotta be one or the other!
Spoked front? Needs truing! Alloy? Idunno... but yu shud see it, and I would ride the bike til I found out what it is... Yu cud have an aweful surprise.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 2
From: Puerto Rico
Yu can true it right on the bike, but obviously better/faster off the bike...
On the forks, just jack dat bitch so front is off ground... good time to check what other poster said Neck Bearings, grab wheel & try to find play, side to side/ up & down... if OK... goto True-in wheel... bend some stiff wire, make 2 points that will almost touch the rim on eiter side, whenn attached to your forks. get them close to rim, 1 mm... spin wheel, see if rim touches.
If yu have a spot that bulges out and touches (then yu have to refer to manual on truing laced wheels), because I can't right a novel here.
Yu can also check runout by bending a wire to go across the tread and see if yu have and high spots. Sorry diff. to explain... but don't be scared to try it... just remember no big moves on the nipples, take your time.
All this is easier w/ a Trueing stand of course. If yu don't trust yurself, practice on a bicycle wheel first, it's what I did... I removed all spokes and started from scratch, so I was sure I cud do it. A bike wheel ain't that easy the first time, but yu'll get it, and never have to return to Dealer!
Good Luck, wish I had some pix to post but try this Forum & Youtube!
jack.. been truing wheels fer over 50 years!
On the forks, just jack dat bitch so front is off ground... good time to check what other poster said Neck Bearings, grab wheel & try to find play, side to side/ up & down... if OK... goto True-in wheel... bend some stiff wire, make 2 points that will almost touch the rim on eiter side, whenn attached to your forks. get them close to rim, 1 mm... spin wheel, see if rim touches.
If yu have a spot that bulges out and touches (then yu have to refer to manual on truing laced wheels), because I can't right a novel here.
Yu can also check runout by bending a wire to go across the tread and see if yu have and high spots. Sorry diff. to explain... but don't be scared to try it... just remember no big moves on the nipples, take your time.
All this is easier w/ a Trueing stand of course. If yu don't trust yurself, practice on a bicycle wheel first, it's what I did... I removed all spokes and started from scratch, so I was sure I cud do it. A bike wheel ain't that easy the first time, but yu'll get it, and never have to return to Dealer!
Good Luck, wish I had some pix to post but try this Forum & Youtube!
jack.. been truing wheels fer over 50 years!
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Double check those wheel bearings and if after trying everything suggested here, start looking at the rear end. Many times wobble can be coming from the back end but you'll swear it's coming from the front.
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Stage III
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: PHL-Pa
I have an 08 Fatboy and noticed a shimmy in front end as well. I continued to ride and then the squealing started in my back wheel. Wheel bearings were shot at 8000 miles. Sounds very familiar.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
Thanks for all the input folks.
I jacked it up and gave it a spin, nothing obvious. Had the wheel bearings checked, they're fine.
We ended up pulling the tire and remounting after checking all other possibilities and now it seems to be fine. Not really sure what to attribute it to at this point.
Thanks again for the advice.
I jacked it up and gave it a spin, nothing obvious. Had the wheel bearings checked, they're fine.
We ended up pulling the tire and remounting after checking all other possibilities and now it seems to be fine. Not really sure what to attribute it to at this point.
Thanks again for the advice.
