Rear-End Fishtail/Instability '07 Street Glide

[Scottsglide]

On Friday, 8/1/08, I was riding my 07 Glide heading to Sturgis and went down when my rear end started fishtailing out of control at 60-65 mph. This was clearly mechanical failure but where? Swingarm? Wheel? Tire? Tire Pressure? Rear Stabilizer plate?

Anyone expericence these issues? Thoughts?

[route66paul]

I think that you have just experanced what many call the "Tank slapper phenomenon". Do a search.

[bountyhunter]

http://bitchinbaggers.com/products/bagger-brace/

[DoomBuggy]

My understanding is the tank slapper is when the front end starts bouncing from side-to-side. The wobble is when it feels like one of your tires is coming off. I have only experianced the latter and this is the one the TWR is supposed to take car of.

Best, Harry

[cts1950]

What was the road conditions. Most who have a wobble have one thing in common. In almost every case it is in a turn and a bump or a dip sets it off. It feels like the bike is bending in the middle and the oscillation feed its self until you can get it slowed down.

[ge6280]

Are you OK? I have been trying to understand this as well. I am going to listen now while someone explains to us what is happening. I understand the Missing Link, but why?

[jbxmn]

Originally Posted by Scottsglide

On Friday, 8/1/08, I was riding my 07 Glide heading to Sturgis and went down when my rear end started fishtailing out of control at 60-65 mph. This was clearly mechanical failure but where? Swingarm? Wheel? Tire? Tire Pressure? Rear Stabilizer plate?

Anyone expericence these issues? Thoughts?

A couple of months ago I saw first hand what you are talking about. I was riding behind a friend who was on one of the new street glides w/116". We were on a stretch of raised interstate I-55 that crosses a swamp. It is very flat and the road is in good condition. We usually open it up along there. Traveling at a little over a hundred his bike started to sway violently at the rear as though he had a blow-out. He managed to get it under control much to my surprise, I though he was a goner. We pulled off at an exit. The rear tire was fine. We could find nothing wrong with the bike.

About a week before he had an issue where the pins on the rear caliper were backed out and the inside pad had fallen out. He had just had it in the local dealership for service. I don't believe this has any bearing, but thought I'd better mention it.

I've had the "wobble" in sweepers, but have never experienced anything like what I saw. I have two 2000 dressers. When they start to wobble often I just replace front and rear motor mounts.
But this was a new bike!! And I don't believe this violent swaying is the same as the wobble we have all experienced in sweepers.

I've been reading and hearing about these new stabilizers for the rear swingarms. I aways thought it was overkill for a little wobble when you get into a curve a little to fast. I always drag the rear brake under power and calm it down. But I believe the problem that you had and the one I witnessed is something entirely different.

I'm glad you survived your crash.

[Bobt08]

A friend of mine felt a violent shake in his glide when riding the x-way, took it to the shop to go over and find the cause, the dealer found a broken swing arm.

[jbxmn]

Originally Posted by Bobt08

A friend of mine felt a violent shake in his glide when riding the x-way, took it to the shop to go over and find the cause, the dealer found a broken swing arm.

Do you know where on the swing arm the break was found?

[Beemervet]

Originally Posted by jbxmn

Do you know where on the swing arm the break was found?

They crack near the axle. HD reinforced this area in '06 or '07.

[Scottsglide]

the road was smooth, straight and fresh laid asphault! I will b ok, thank u for asking!

[Scottsglide]

does anyone know a wheel and tire defect expert

[05 classic]

feeling your pain my 08 ultra has had a wobble at 30 mph from day 1 (i will test drive any new bike after this or wont buy it. i traded up when 08s first hit the show room and in sep. me and my wife went on vacation in the smokies and on the tail of the dragon she was asking what is that. if i loosened up on the bars they would almost slap the tank. I stoped by a dealer in tenn. they said i had 2 pounds to much air in the rear tire.and luggage plays a part of it my other harleys dident.Any way after the third time in and them saying the same stuff i decided to replace both tires when the back was gone no more probleme at 30 mph but at speeds of 50 if you give it much sterring in put it wags like a dirt bike in sand. they say they will not even look at it since i am running avons. i said avons is what i always run no problems handles much better. last two harleys have not been in for any work but this has been my fault.

[Ed Y]

Originally Posted by Scottsglide

On Friday, 8/1/08, I was riding my 07 Glide heading to Sturgis and went down when my rear end started fishtailing out of control at 60-65 mph. This was clearly mechanical failure but where? Swingarm? Wheel? Tire? Tire Pressure? Rear Stabilizer plate?

Anyone expericence these issues? Thoughts?

Considering the speed you were traveling at, one possibility would be a rear tire going flat. I'd check it real close for nail, screws, etc. One of many possibilities though.

[msocko3]

Originally Posted by jbxmn

I've been reading and hearing about these new stabilizers for the rear swingarms. I aways thought it was overkill for a little wobble when you get into a curve a little to fast.

I thought the same thing until I had mine wobble on me while rolling on the throttle through a turn. I bought the TWR stabilizer and now I'm a believer. It made night and day difference in the way the bike handles.