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Front Wheel Wobble

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by higinio31, Apr 28, 2012.

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  1. higinio31

    higinio31 Member

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    Hello, my bike starts to wobble at about 65-70 mph. If I slow down it stops and if I keep it at 65 I don't notice it at all. I recently put new tires on and they have been balanced properly, my mechanic has checked it over twice, we changed the fork oil and have adjusted the steering head bolt several times. Not sure where to go now, my mechanic wants to change the steering head bearings and give that a shot. I have read the thread on the "death wobble" and some others as well just wondering if you all had some other ideas. Want to make sure we figure this out and not throw too much money at it.

    Higinio
    2005 Dyna FXD
    [​IMG]


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    higinio31, Apr 28, 2012
    #1
  3. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    With your mag wheel I would start by double checking the front tire & balance then the wheel bearings
    cowboy, Apr 28, 2012
    #2
  4. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Check air pressure

    It could be a bad tire internally damaged can he swap on another tire or wheel frim a known good bike

    If it happened after the tire change and not before then it's not bearings


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    hotroadking, Apr 28, 2012
    #3
  5. charlie46

    charlie46 Well-Known Member

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    Also may be an out of round or a out of true new tire, I once got a new tire that wasn't 'true'
    charlie46, Apr 29, 2012
    #4
  6. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    Does the whole bike wobble or just the front end? An out of balance rear tire or bad rear wheel bearing can cause this condition. The weight of the motorcycle pivots on the steering head bearings. A problem at the rear can transmit to the steering head and give a false indication that something is wrong at the front end. Make sure you check bearings front and rear.

    Steering head bearing adjustment is critical. Your shop manual will have a specific procedure for this adjustment. The "Fall Away" adjustment procedure is the one used on your Dyna.
    ringo912, Apr 29, 2012
    #5
  7. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    If it was doing fine before the tire was changed than my opinion is that it is in the tire, but would not hurt to check the head bearing adjustment.
    FLHTbiker, Apr 29, 2012
    #6
  8. higinio31

    higinio31 Member

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    Thanks for the replies, I will chat with him and see what we want to do next. I feel it is the tire since it started after we changed them, we put on some Avons and I am really happy with them other than the wobble.

    H


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    higinio31, Apr 29, 2012
    #7
  9. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    I suspect it's the tire also. But make sure all your axle nuts are tight, front and rear.
    joshbob, Apr 30, 2012
    #8
  10. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Avons require higher tire pressure than dunlaps

    42 to 45 rear,, 40 front...

    Ask him to remove the rear tire
    put your old tire back on, if it goes away you
    have a bad rear...
    hotroadking, Apr 30, 2012
    #9
  11. Sleepy

    Sleepy Well-Known Member

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    If it didn't wobble before it had something to do with the tire change..and i've had bad new tires before.
    Sleepy, Apr 30, 2012
    #10
  12. alex the dog

    alex the dog Active Member

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    An out-of-round tire is pretty rare. I'd bet it's either your steering head bearings are too loose, or the wheel bearings are bad/loose. Did they bang the wheel bearing hard when they had it in the tire machine? It could have gotten knocked loose from the wheel hub if they were rough with it. Make sure your axle is tightened properly too.
    alex the dog, Apr 30, 2012
    #11
  13. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I had Avons on another bike and had wobble problems with em, plus they would split across the tread. Got em replaced under warranty to many times I never had to buy a new one. Finally got fed up with em and am using Dunlop, with no problems.
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2012
    FLHTbiker, Apr 30, 2012
    #12
  14. alex the dog

    alex the dog Active Member

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    Just a note to mention how good these new Bridgestone BT45's feel on my bike. It rides outstanding and tracks like an arrow. Am running 170/16 on rear, and a 150/17 REAR TIRE on the front. Looks beefy and handles better than ever before.
    alex the dog, Apr 30, 2012
    #13
  15. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    Back to the wobble: I have also heard from others that the Avons caused them wobbles. Reality is; It didn't wobble with the old tires. JMO
    Fatboy128, May 1, 2012
    #14
  16. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    had Avons for years on the softail, never had a wobble or
    problem with the tires other than wearing them out with the 124
    hotroadking, May 1, 2012
    #15
  17. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    Was yer front tire ever on the pavement?! :roflmao:
    Fatboy128, May 1, 2012
    #16
  18. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    only when stopped. !
    hotroadking, May 1, 2012
    #17
  19. baggerpaul

    baggerpaul Well-Known Member

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    :roflmao::roflmao::roflmao::cool:
    baggerpaul, May 1, 2012
    #18
  20. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    I believe it!:roflmao:
    joshbob, May 3, 2012
    #19
  21. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Wonder if he got the front wheel wobble figured out?
    FLHTbiker, May 3, 2012
    #20
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