Troubleshooting help: Dyna weave

[scar04]

So, over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed what amounts to a weird weaving sensation on the dyna glide. It feels kinda like I'm riding grooved pavement when there is none. The roads are relatively smooth and I can't figure out what it is. It's almost like I'm playing with the handlebars. I don't think it would be the steering head bearings, bike is just shy of 10,000 miles. I'm wondering if it's that the tires are cold when I'm riding. My other thoughts are I've tossed a wheel weight somehow, but don't know how I could figure that out without a wheel balancer and a friend with a stand. Might be my tires, which have tread left on em, could be at the limit of their temporal life span. Just trying to narrow it down. Anyone ever encounter this on your bikes, or heard of it on dynas? Something is just feeling wonky on it, and no, I am not just looking for an excuse to trade her in on a newer toy.

[plugeye]

is the front cupped?
miles on tires? correct pressure?
check the neck/ lube & adjust.
check the chassis alignment.
rubber-mounts ok?
belt adjusted correctly?

[scar04]

is the front cupped? Don't believe so
miles on tires? correct pressure? about 9500 miles. pressure was at 34 this last go round
check the neck/ lube & adjust. How would I do that?
check the chassis alignment. Had it checked after a fender bender a couple of years back, should be fine
rubber-mounts ok? I will admit I don't know how to check that.
belt adjusted correctly? Again, my moto-mechanics skills are rather lacking. I can do some work on my cars, but I've been reluctant to work on my bikes for fear of jacking it up. Used my mechanics at the local shop for service.

[schrec]

about the only thing I could add is if you have laced rims, make sure they are not bent, and check for loose spokes. I have an electra glide, and when I would have that feeling it was usually the back tire being low.

[schrec]

checking the neck and the rubber motor mounts is stuff that is covered in the service manual for your bike. You could buy the manual and try and do it yourself, it's pretty easy to follow. I do a lot of work on my bike, and would never be able to get a lot of it done without the manual. If you dont feel comfortable wrenching on your own bike, then take it to your mechanic.

[Max Bialystock]

Originally Posted by scar04

So, over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed what amounts to a weird weaving sensation on the dyna glide. It feels kinda like I'm riding grooved pavement when there is none. The roads are relatively smooth and I can't figure out what it is. It's almost like I'm playing with the handlebars. I don't think it would be the steering head bearings, bike is just shy of 10,000 miles. I'm wondering if it's that the tires are cold when I'm riding. My other thoughts are I've tossed a wheel weight somehow, but don't know how I could figure that out without a wheel balancer and a friend with a stand. Might be my tires, which have tread left on em, could be at the limit of their temporal life span. Just trying to narrow it down. Anyone ever encounter this on your bikes, or heard of it on dynas? Something is just feeling wonky on it, and no, I am not just looking for an excuse to trade her in on a newer toy.

I am absolutely not an expert but I would check the tires. My softail std. has used up tires many times before 10,000 miles are on them. If you are running the stock Dunlops they are 3 ply tires. These can separate or you may have something else going on with the tire. Or they just may be worn out. Check your wear bars on the tires.

If it's not tires, I would want someone to check everything from the suspension down to the wheel bearings and spokes. I have 50,000 on my "06" and have never touched the spokes on the front other than cleaning them (pain in the butt).
Good luck but find the problem before you ride it very much. If they don't handle right they can hurt you in a hurry.


What tire pressure are you running. My manual calls for 30lbs. on the front and it is wrong. I run 38 to 40 on the front now and makes a world of difference in the handling.

[SPARKPLUG]

First check tire pressure.

If you have cast wheels - Look them over closely, if you slung a wheel weight there should be some tape left on the wheel.

If you have spoke wheels - Check the spokes for tightness and look for bends in the rim.

I don't know if service schedule is still the same, but when I worked in HD dealerships, most bikes were due for neck bearing adjustment and lube at 10K - Check you owners manual or even better go get a service manual.

To check rear wheel alignment - There are two small holes in the side of the swingarm. You can make a guage out of a wire coat hanger. about 10"-12" straight with 2"-3" right angle at one end, wrap a zip tie around the staight side. Measure on side from the small hole in the swingarm to the center of the axle, then check the other side (Dont move the zip tie from where it was). If they are the same, you are good, if not the rear wheel needs to be aligned. This is done by loosing the axle and moving the adjuster screws until your measurment is the same (Be sure to check belt tension if you move the adjusters) and always use a torque wrench to tighten the axle.


If you need any additional help, feel free to pm me.

[scar04]

I appreciate the help. I'll go poke at it after work today. I figure I'm about due for a service anyways. Just trying to keep from getting hit too hard on it.

[Bob Dahringer]

Its a Harley, so it could be anything.
Elevate the front tire so you can spin it to see if its turning true and there is no noticable play or roughness in the wheel bearings and steering head bearings. FL's have a specific test for checking steering adjustment (fall away test), I imagine FX's will have a similar test.
IIRC, 10K miles is a service point.
Could also be the back tire, rear shocks, powertrain alignment, motor mounts, swing arm bushings, ad nauseum......
I highly recommend buying a factory service manual, all this will be covered in it. Even if you dont do the work yourself, having the SM will help you to keep on top of things.
FWIW, if my tire pressure is low by even 2-3 pounds, I can feel it, but it doesnt cause any weaving problems.

[JT]

front motor mount...

especially if you've spilled oil on it when changing the filter, mine was gone at 24,000miles,

and you know what HD stands for don't cha?

Hundred Dollars.

[scar04]

Originally Posted by jthompson

front motor mount...

especially if you've spilled oil on it when changing the filter, mine was gone at 24,000miles,

and you know what HD stands for don't cha?

Hundred Dollars.

I thought it was Had Dollars

[schrec]

Originally Posted by jthompson

and you know what HD stands for don't cha?

Hundred Dollars.

maybe back a few years ago it stood for hundred dollars, now it stands for Hundreds of dollars....

The wife is finding that out now as she is getting her sporty set up to her liking.

[JT]

Originally Posted by jthompson

front motor mount...

especially if you've spilled oil on it when changing the filter, mine was gone at 24,000miles

I guess I should have explained a little better. Remember that on the Dynas the swingarm mounts to the transmission and both it and the engine hang on the rubber motor mounts. If there is side play in the mount then there is side play in the swingarm, not exactly good for stability. When I first got my bike, it had 17,000 on it and it seemed to wriggle a little at every little tar strip or irregularity in the raod surface. I just put up with it. When I changed the mount, it was because the vibration suddenly got worse. Once the new mount was in place, it was like a new bike. 10,000 miles seems low, but its worth a look.

[WhiskeySmith]

Do you have the rear suspension adjusted to different settings on either side?

[scar04]

Originally Posted by WhiskeySmith

Do you have the rear suspension adjusted to different settings on either side?

nope

[wanabeguru]

I'm no pro, but I suspect a broken belt in the front tire. My .02. Good luck!

[MikeyDude]

I have an 03 FXD too. I've never had the issues you speak of, but my nephew had some wobble troubles on his Wide Glide. He changed over to Metzler 880s and he said the problem went away. The 1st thing I'd do is have the steering head bearings checked. A tank-slapper is nothin to mess around with and it's not too difficult to do if you can get it on a lift. If not, it's not very expensive. Better safe than sorry - and milage doesn't matter if they are out of whack.

Have you noticed if this happens within certain speeds?

[rebar]

A friend of mine had bad wobble suddenly appear on his gl1800. We spent several hours beside the road before someone suggested that we put the bike on the center stand and spin the rear tire. It was a bump on the tire that couldnt be seen without viewing from the rear while spinning. A new tire made the problem go away. Just a sugestion-- Hope it helps

[scar04]

It seems to pop up at 45 plus. Nothing under acceleration, but it gets really wonky and shimmies when I let off the throttle. Under light or moderate throttle load, cruising, at 45-50+ it gets it too. I don't know that it's the tires, but it seems to be speed and throttle related. Still doesn't narrow it down, but I know how to recreate it.

[leo7by24]

Originally Posted by scar04

It seems to pop up at 45 plus. Nothing under acceleration, but it gets really wonky and shimmies when I let off the throttle. Under light or moderate throttle load, cruising, at 45-50+ it gets it too. I don't know that it's the tires, but it seems to be speed and throttle related. Still doesn't narrow it down, but I know how to recreate it.

Decel wobble often is a steering head problem. I'll cast my vote in that direction too.

Might be the head is loose.

Might be bad bearings. Properly maintained, one might expect the bearings and races to have a service life greater than 10K, but:

> A loose steering head could cause premature bearing wear and failure.

> Even a high quality grease will evaporate after two or three years in hot climates. If the lubricant is dried up, the bearings/races will wear prematurely.

Inspection of the steering head or adjusting the bearing preload to spec, or replacing the bearings/races are tasks that you should get help with or have done by a qualified tech. The latter two may also require special tools.

JMO. Good luck.