front end schimmy

[tourin' couple]

I'm riding a 2002 electra-glide with 40,000 miles. when I first start out the front end shakes...sometimes so violently I have to slow down. any idea what could causes this? Anybody ever have a similar problem?

[rkt88403]

Check for cupping on the front tire, then make sure tire air pressure is up to spec in both tires.

[ktwillys]

check above... and
if spoke wheel.. make sure it is not out of round or bent
if alloy wheel then check the tire for proper fit.. sometimes the bead is on incorrectly and the tire has a flat spot on it..

and most of all balance.. sounds more like you have lost a wheel weight...

[ragu]

Metzeler and Dunlup I find my My front tire start to tank slaps at about 5 to thousand miles . Its ok when the tire is new its start at about 40 miles per hour then its ok at about 60 miles per hour when the tire get older it bad at all speeds up to 70 miles per hrs. I tried deferent tire pressures neck bearing, wheel balance, wheel bearing. cant figure it out.

[Jeffytune]

Hi.

ASSUMING the tires are in good shape with the proper amount of air, I would check the neck bearings for looseness and wear.
Then check the forks for oil loss and wear and the alignment of the rear tire.
Finally, check all the engine mounts for wear, if it moves around, it can cuase the rear swing arm to move around as well.

And check the rear swing arm mounts as well.

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by ragu

Metzeler and Dunlup I find my My front tire start to tank slaps at about 5 to thousand miles . Its ok when the tire is new its start at about 40 miles per hour then its ok at about 60 miles per hour when the tire get older it bad at all speeds up to 70 miles per hrs. I tried deferent tire pressures neck bearing, wheel balance, wheel bearing. cant figure it out.

If you're having "tank slaps" at all, you have major problems that are most likely not tire problems.

[histy]

Originally Posted by trooper113

If you're having "tank slaps" at all, you have major problems that are most likely not tire problems.

I'd second that, I'd guess at a chassis problem for tank slappers, but I noted you said that the problem appears '[i]when I first start out'[i]-does that mean it goes away?.
You said the front end shakes, but are the bars moving left right in your hands?.
I'd go to a shop so a mechanic can see-feel the problem.Some dealerships can be a bit limited if a problem is outside the digitech system. If so, has your PD/Sheriffs dept got a motorcycle unit? try asking the mechs in their motorpool shop (thats if they have one nowadays since some beancounting dork came up with outsourcing/contracting).Good luck.