Springer Deceleration Wobble

[uncletom]

I have a ’94 Springer Softail that has a wobble feeling while riding at any speed and is more noticeable at deceleration. I have had the bike for about 3 months and the problem did not exist when I purchased the bike. The problem has developed over the last 5 weeks. I have done the following:

Re-torqued the front wheel and neck bearings
Tightened loose spokes that were found
Re-adjusted drive belt tension
Checked spacing on the rear wheel adjusters


Although this has made a difference, the problem still exists at deceleration. Anyone have any suggestions for correcting this problem?

[Ed Y]

When you torqued the neck bearings, did you have the bike on a lift and check for brinneling in the races? You can feel them when you turn the wheel slowly while it's raised. I always ran my bearings a little tighter than HD recommended on springers.

I rode a springer for 91,000 miles and would always notice some wobbling on deceleration if I was on a trip with back seat and luggage rack loaded with clothes and camping gear. Once they were off, no wobbling.

Also look closely at the tires for cupping and/or any protusions (bubbles sticking out).

[MikeyB]

My springer would wobble also. After changing the front tire from a Metzeler ME88 to the Dunlop D402 the wobble disappeared. Don't know if it was the tire or the axle torque setting that made the difference.

MikeyB

[jguarnieri]

On my way from Buffalo NY to the Vietnam Memorial riding 2 up with my wife and luggage I noticed a wobble when going slow, approx 30mph., I stopped at the first Harley dealer I found and he blamed it on the extra weight on the back end.
My wife weighs 130lbs and I weigh 200 lbs our bags I figure 100 lbs tops.

Well at our first overnight I took off the luggage and took the bike out for a spin just myself on the bike, I still had a wobble.

So I stopped at another Harley dealer in York PA and told him what the other dealer said about the weight.

So he took my bike out with the luggage on, and drove her in the shop, then he took her out again and again rode her in the shop. The he brought her out again and finally back to me.

He told me I had a bent rim and he fixed it best he could but he recommended that I get a new rim when I got home. He showed me a dent he found on the rim where he thinks I may have hit something, who knows when.

Well whatever he did to the rim worked cause my ride improved 99%

I do plan on getting a new rim when I save up for one that costs approx 1,000 balloons, you know the fancy chrome rims without the spokes but not a solid mag.

Anyway I suggest you have your rim checked and please let me know what happens.

John

Originally Posted by uncletom

I have a ’94 Springer Softail that has a wobble feeling while riding at any speed and is more noticeable at deceleration. I have had the bike for about 3 months and the problem did not exist when I purchased the bike. The problem has developed over the last 5 weeks. I have done the following:

Re-torqued the front wheel and neck bearings
Tightened loose spokes that were found
Re-adjusted drive belt tension
Checked spacing on the rear wheel adjusters


Although this has made a difference, the problem still exists at deceleration. Anyone have any suggestions for correcting this problem?

[Fangar]

Originally Posted by jguarnieri

On my way from Buffalo NY to the Vietnam Memorial riding 2 up with my wife and luggage I noticed a wobble when going slow, approx 30mph., I stopped at the first Harley dealer I found and he blamed it on the extra weight on the back end.
My wife weighs 130lbs and I weigh 200 lbs our bags I figure 100 lbs tops.

Well at our first overnight I took off the luggage and took the bike out for a spin just myself on the bike, I still had a wobble.

So I stopped at another Harley dealer in York PA and told him what the other dealer said about the weight.

So he took my bike out with the luggage on, and drove her in the shop, then he took her out again and again rode her in the shop. The he brought her out again and finally back to me.

He told me I had a bent rim and he fixed it best he could but he recommended that I get a new rim when I got home. He showed me a dent he found on the rim where he thinks I may have hit something, who knows when.

Well whatever he did to the rim worked cause my ride improved 99%

I do plan on getting a new rim when I save up for one that costs approx 1,000 balloons, you know the fancy chrome rims without the spokes but not a solid mag.

Anyway I suggest you have your rim checked and please let me know what happens.

John

John's suggesstion is a very good one. Especially with the spoked 21's. It is not as hard as you might think to knock something out of whack. Many times a hard bridge joint where the pavement has become uneven can knock them out of true, round etc. I would start there. Especially if it is a new issue.

Good Luck, and let us know what you come up with.

Fangar