Hello fellow riders, I need some help with my wobble issue. All the threads I have found refer to a wobble in the corners. Mine now is doing this in straight line, when I hit dirty air behind someone. (Even though originally it started as a corner issue) The bigger the vehicle - worst the wobble gets.

Background:
I owned a bike for 2 years now. got it with 18K mi and I have doubled the miles on it. I successfully rode for 18K without any issues, then about a month and half ago going in to a smooth/sweeping corner on a freeway at 75-80mph I experienced the wobble. Scared the living daylights out of me. Took it to the shop and started going through it step at at time. I have not experienced the wobble in the corners anymore (Ill tell you whats been done) but I do have a big problem with my front end starting to wobble when I am in the straight line following a vehicle. Semi's and box trucks are the worst, but I experience the issue even going behind an SUV or a car.

65-70mph + will happen every time. Below that it doesn't seem to happen unless its a Semi truck. I get the side to side handlebar wander/wobble, and unless I change speed by laying off the throttle it gets worse and I start feeling it in the seat and then moving to the rear, but it definitely feels like it is starting in the front and caused by dirty air. I can do same speeds over and over on empty road and have no issues. I also have no issues 2 up full of luggage (just went on a trip, was nervous leaving, but slowly got the nerves back as the bike was behaving the same as it did before. I can be behind a semi, 75mph, one-handend - no issues)
It will do the wobble with a tourpack on or off.

2002 FLHTCUI Electraglide Ultra, currently with 36K mi. Things have been done sense initial episode:
- New Dunlop Americal Elite front and rear, properly inflated to 40 rear, 36 front
- Swing arm bushings inspected - previous owner has already installed new style bushings on the swing arm shaft, so only new outer pucks went on
- Steering fall away test done, bearing preload adjusted and satisfactory
- New rear shocks Prgoressive 944

I do have 16" apes on the bike, but they were on last year as well when I didn't have any issues, so I am not thinking they are the cause, or at least not the primary reason (otherwise I would of expected the problem to be there first time I rode with new bars)
I also have short windshield that went on the bike first day I owned it,and never caused an issue.

I have not tried to use any aftermarket remedies like Tru-Track or Progressive link yet because every time I look it up it is advertised or praised by people for solving the wobble in the corners, but for some reason nothing is mentioned about wobble caused by dirty air/turbulence. Angry

So now that I think everything is covered, there is always something missed. I come to you for advise.

 

Wheel bearings?
also wheel alignment?

 

First thing I'd do is check the steering head bearings. Do a swing test per the manual. Your symptoms sound like they are too loose, or worn. If too loose, they CAN be adjusted. If worn, that's not a complicated job to replace them, but it IS labor intensive. And expensive, if you have to pay to have it done.

 

OP states that this has been done.

 

Thanks Musician, Already checked and performed fallaway test and bearings were tightened up and rechecked -all ok there.

 

Bearings were checked when the tires went on, I am told they are good. Wheel alignment has not been checked yet, I'll read up on it to see if I can do it myself. Rear wheel was on and off before and after the issue, and the adjuster style for the rear wheel leaves it difficult to mis-align but stranger things happen.

 

You can DIY alignment with a string or 8ft florescent tubes

Have you checked front motor mount ?

 

i would still look at the fallaway setting. just because it is 'in spec' doesn't mean that it is optimal. on my road glide, i had to set it on the high side of 'tight' for it to not wobble the handlebars no handed on decelerations between 40 and 35.

dunlop recommended to me to inflate the tires to 42 rear, 38 front.

i would say to check a different set of tires, but you said that this started before you replaced the tires. but yeah, a good bearing check wouldn't hurt.

 

Will check alignment, motor mounts were checked and got a pass. I assume with a string we are talking same plane for front/rear tire in straight up and down position?

 

^ Yes