High Speed Wobble

sirbOOm · 07-27-2009, 11:49 AM

Do HDs begin to wobble starting around 90 mph? I never noticed this until Europe, where the sensible socialists allow you to go as fast as you want. Once I get around 85+ I'm at risk for wobble if the wind or road surface is right. Almost guaranteed at 100 mph. Want to make sure this isn't an issue with the bike vs. my need for a better suspension or something. If suspension... anyone want to offer a economical but good suggestion?

sk8rod · 07-27-2009, 12:34 PM

Mines rock solid stable right to 130

check your rear shock pre load. Tire pressures and on the bob , engine alignment.

The one thing that's awesome about the SB is how stable it is at high speed. I have had way twitchier sports bikes.

Gotta be a problem there.

And yeah would be willing to sell the Ohlins

sirbOOm · 07-27-2009, 02:34 PM

My Nightster got wobbly too at higher speeds. WTF? I'm going to have Thunderbike look at it. It happens with a gust of the wrong wind or a groovy road surface then get's a little nuts then I usually can bring it under control. Sometimes, at high speeds, nothing but straight.

sk8rod · 07-27-2009, 02:40 PM

Check tire pressures and front tire wear. Sounds like it's just a tad twitchy as it does run straight most of the time. Most dealers don't bother to do the motor/chassis/wheels alignment thing and it's well worth it because if out you get all sorts of crap.

Also ditch the oem front

pre load on the rear shox is quite often diff from the factory. So grab them and twist them both onto hardest setting.

Ratty · 07-27-2009, 03:42 PM

What sk8 said... mine is stable way past a ton even on our very dodgy mid western roads.

Mentalpaused · 07-29-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbOOm

My Nightster got wobbly too at higher speeds. WTF? I'm going to have Thunderbike look at it. It happens with a gust of the wrong wind or a groovy road surface then get's a little nuts then I usually can bring it under control. Sometimes, at high speeds, nothing but straight.

I posted to the super brace thread. My son had the same probs with his Nightster and got the brace. It took the shake and drift away really well. installs easy looks good.

bosken · 07-30-2009, 12:12 AM

You have a wide handle bar? Stock tires?

Odd Job · 07-30-2009, 02:05 PM

Here's a great fix for high speed wobbles and rear end wobbling......

scroll down....

DON'T GO SO FAST!!!!

sk8rod · 07-30-2009, 02:16 PM

Cops are always sayin stuff like that. I had four hours of it in a classroom last week!!

Best advice I can give is go faster

Odd Job · 07-30-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8rod

Cops are always sayin stuff like that. I had four hours of it in a classroom last week!!

Best advice I can give is go faster

and we have cases & cases of ticket books to issue out too, at NO COST to us!!!

PETE, becarefull..if anything were to happen to you..................................(i'd take care of Lisa for you!!!

)

sk8rod · 07-30-2009, 02:23 PM

Plus stingers, radios, helicopters

it's almost like you guys are tryin to stop us havin fun !

Odd Job · 07-30-2009, 02:24 PM

naw..not really, it's only because we can't do it and we're all jealous!!!

sk8rod · 07-30-2009, 02:32 PM

PAH!!! you guys never stop blasting about

gonna get me one of them sireeens !

Ratty · 07-30-2009, 02:45 PM

It aint wobble you have mate its turbulence slamming your head around thanks to that monster skid lid you are wearing

Odd Job · 07-30-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8rod

PAH!!! you guys never stop blasting about

gonna get me one of them sireeens !

Those sireeennns...they won't do you any good because you'll be ridng faster than the siren would be able to sound off....

I know we all joke about it...JUST BE CAREFULL brother....all of you guys be carefull who want to ride faster than you should....hate to be around and experience the first member here on the HD RIDERS forum to die because of carelessness and SPEED!!!

sk8rod · 07-30-2009, 11:28 PM

+1 100% OJ

Y'all take care out there and get plenty of video

sirbOOm · 07-31-2009, 03:57 AM

The bike has time at Thunderbike to get looked at this weekend. I'll update.

sirbOOm · 07-31-2009, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosken

You have a wide handle bar? Stock tires?

I have stock tires. Stock handle bars. 2009 SB. This happened well before my burn out or shipping the bike here. I just figured it was the fact it was not cut out for speed. I mean, the engine is screamin' at even 80 MPH! Kind of sad, actually. But anyway, I rode another stock street bob at speed... nothing but smooth and wind.

sirbOOm · 07-31-2009, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Odd Job

DON'T GO SO FAST!!!!

German Autobahn, my friend. If I'm going 80 mph, I'm getting dangerously passed. If I'm in the right lane, I have no ability to go faster than about 50 mph because of the trucks. That's too slow.

sk8rod · 07-31-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbOOm

I have stock tires. Stock handle bars. 2009 SB. This happened well before my burn out or shipping the bike here. I just figured it was the fact it was not cut out for speed. I mean, the engine is screamin' at even 80 MPH! Kind of sad, actually. But anyway, I rode another stock street bob at speed... nothing but smooth and wind.

hey Nick,, so many things are weird with your bike,, handlebars letting go,, the clutch lever,, paint,, wobbles ,, its all fcked up,, and screamin at 80 ! honestly check the link out, i aint showin off here ,, its genuine,, the thing will go off the clock then snick it into 6th and its way off the red and cruisin and a genuine +120

i would love to get hold of your bob and have a good look over it for you..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0dH42Jjnxk

Ratty · 07-31-2009, 07:31 AM

Have you checked the alignment Nick? Sounds like your scoot was bolted together at the Stealership by the wash boys...

sirbOOm · 08-01-2009, 05:46 PM

I didn't get to Thunderbike. Was hungover from last night. Decided to go to Leopoldsburg, Belgium instead because I wouldn't have gotten there in time for the shop. Turns out the Belgians were havin' a H-D event there. Saw boobs and hot girls for once. Problem is, not at the same time. I'll update once I get to Thunderbike.

Sk8, maybe it's just me. But I think that at 80mph, the RPMs are just too high. I thought that on my Sportster at 70mph. I did notice that if I don't rely on the handlebars so much at speed to hold me up, the shaking rarely happens unless I hit a groove in the road.

Sk8, I'd like someone I can trust to eyeball and test my bike! Wish one of you people lived in Germany!!! I'm tryin' to get to the island. God knows what driving on the wrong side of the road is going to do to the bike!

sk8rod · 08-01-2009, 10:46 PM

Be great to hook up man

sirbOOm · 08-02-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8rod

Mines rock solid stable right to 130

I can't even get to 130 mph.

sk8rod · 08-02-2009, 09:34 AM

yeah well 130 is a guess anyway,, could be a whole world less,, the bob would shoot off the clock that ends at 130 so who knows what speed,, could be a genuine 120..

anyway,, was out today and at 80 mine is about 2700 rpm,, i tend to ride at 90 if i am doing long distance riding as thats a nice gentle buzz from the motor and very smooth,,

however i think you motor isnt in line with the chassis and thats whats fcked,, for one thing..

do you have a tilt gauge ??

risky · 08-02-2009, 09:36 AM

Hey Nick, I really don't understand this screaming at 80 malarky. Just for the purposes of forum research and obviously on a closed swedish road

I topped 110 mph today with loads left to give and engine sounding sweet. In 6th at 80 she is only really just above tick over. Wind buffeting is a bitch above a ton but cruising sweetly at 90 is fine with no significant wobble. You do know that you have a 6th gear don't you?

Had a wonderful ride today, still smiling now

Your scoot needs some TLC.

sk8rod · 08-02-2009, 09:55 AM

hey Risky,, today was great wasnt it,, awesome out there,, ya do know that tomorrow its back to rain for us

risky · 08-02-2009, 10:23 AM

discovered some great new b roads around Bala and then headed up to horseshoe pass for a cuppa at the Ponderosa. The place was rammed today, wall to wall bikes, withour exageration there must have been at least 250 bikes at any one time up there, a huge number of hogs. Bumped into a few old friends and made a couple of new ones. Had a sportsbike rider in full one piece race replica leathers chat to me for half an hour, he is chopping his crotch rocket in for a Bob and wanted the low down on modding. I pointed him in this direction.

Great roads, great weather, great day.

sk8rod · 08-02-2009, 10:26 AM

nice one,,

what its all about

Ratty · 08-02-2009, 10:56 AM

There is post somewhere on one of the other forums I use about engine alignment and causing vibes etc I'll see if I can find it once my weekend arrives... working nights sucks