I'm from the land of the pilgrims but i spent some time in Texas when i was in the service., San Antonio, Wichita Falls , Laredo and Amarillo, fun times! If the spellings are wrong it's because i'm to lazy to get up and look on a map! 03, when you're checking for run out get a dial indicator {easy to use} place the tip on the rim and set it at 0 {make sure your forks are locked in place so it won't move} then slowly turn your wheel your readings can go to either side of 0. If your readings are within spec the odds are you tweeked the front end.
Hey frisco-rigid-Dont worry - I'll go back to the sparkling city by the sea as soon as I finish family business here in
bronco country.By the way, that dj is still saying that,starting at 5am.You can catch it on the web(www.texasradio947.com)As far as this wobble thing,im assuming he's all out of factory warranty.All hd's are different in some way,even if their the same(!!!???).It could have been dropped off the assembly line,and just continued being assembled,then shipped.If seen it happen in the car business.Also,tires are just made in a mold.His could be changing shape due to heat when riding.A run-out test would be a good thing,probably could rig up a jig himself.Or just swap out the tire and or rim combo-just borrow someones-and nail down the source.Talk to y'all later......
Thanks Frisco
I have a lift and I'll check for run-out as soon as I'm allowed out of my room. I'll also head to Princess Auto and look for a dial indicator to make damn sure it's at spec. I don't think it was a factory incident because it ran smooth as silk for the first 18 thousand miles. You are dead right I want to do as much with the bike myself as I can. I just don't want to keep it off the road any longer than necessary because I screw something up. It supposed to be sunny and almost fifty this weekend. That's riding weather. Are there any good, Harley specific, train at home motorcycle mechanic programs?
Hey MTYEVO
I saw the add in AIM and ordered the Softail Edition of Fix My Hog. It doesn't go into wobble or inner engine work. I get e-mail from them all the time because I registered mine and it looks like they are coming out with more stuff which is good. The Softail edition was a great visual reference when I adjusted my primary chain and clutch. Yes Frisco, I've taken off a cover or two. And, when I pulled the rear tire to put a chrome sprocket cover on the DVD helped me get it aligned with proper belt tension when I put it back on. That said, it's real basic stuff and I think Frisco is dead on when he says I want to do more. I was looking for a learn at home program for Harley specific certified technician training. I'm not looking for a career change, my gig keeps me in Harley parts. I just want to get to know my own ride and work on it for the pure joy of it. By the way, any gamblers out there want to predict the Dyno results. I have stock carb with Head Quarters jet kit. SE breather and SE II slip ons. Stock ignition and coil, SE wires and plugs. I am going to get a dyno sheet before the changes so I know what I get from the upgrade.
Hey Frisco, It's Saturday night -- okay if I come out of my room now.....
03,
I don't know how the "learn to be a Harley mech at home" things works short of they send you a basket case or make you go buy one of your own, but I would be very interested to know.
Maybe it's the windshield.
I had a nice long run today and when I got home I wahsed the bike. When ever I do that I take the detachable windshield off. After I dried it I decided to take a short run to the coffee shop. I forgot the windshield and headed out. I was paying attention to the wobble point and noticed it wasn't as bad. I took both hands off the bars and sailed along with a slight mirror jiggling wobble. I sped up another fifteen miles an hour and took them off again, same wobble. In the past the wobble stopped after ten miles an hour increase in speed. Now during the, ahem, incident with the SUV I did remove the windshield with my knees as I sailed past. Is it possible a change in the bend of the windshield is just causing turbulance at that speed and then as the air pressure increases with greater speed it stops?
By the way FRisco, I have you down at 76 and 80. We'll see.
Hmmm, I've never run a windshield but I think your deduction could be right on, jeeeze, put it back on and try it again, then take it off again,,,,, you'll know by that time I betcha....
Think you should check your run-out anyway and how about those loose spokes..??
Hey Frisco
I don't like the shield, that's why I went for removable. But, I do ride to work on a highway in Canada in early spring. I need something to keep the wind-chill from freezing the skin off my face. Tried a full helmet and couldn't stand it. But yes, I'll run with it on and off a few times and compare. Anyway, I'm going to a friends garage this weekend, he has the dial indicator and we'll check run out. On the spokes, I tightened em a hair but don't want to over tighten. I know I saw a spoke wrench/torque wrench somewhere in the J&P catalogue so I'm going to order it and go over the whole wheel.
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