I've a problem with my 2002 Harley Davidson Roadking, at high speed the front end bounces it's not a wobble or sending me in to a tank slapper. I've had the wheel checked when I had a new tyre fitted (it was doing it before the new tyre was fitted) and it's still doing it. I have also had a heavier fork oil put in which has helped.
I have noticed that it happens at different speeds on different Tarmaced roads :/
I've also noticed that the bounce is quite rythmic. it's annoying as it makes overtaking on motorways un-nerving.
Forgive my ignorance, but what size tyres does this run? You've had new tyres but are you running the correct tyre pressures? sorry if its an obivous question, but its the easiest to check.
bluesbiker In: Birmingham in th
Posts: 2510
Karma:
On the two harleys i owned the first thing i did was replace the standard springs for progressive ones. standard was way to soft.
I don't know how much adjustment your forks have got regards rebound. knowing harley i'm guessing probably non.
Oh and when you say at high speed do you mean high for a harley?
It runs on Dunlops D402 MT90B16's front and rear, tyre pressure is good, I check on a regualr basis. And there is no adjustment for rebound. Guess I'll have to FORK out for some new springs. (pardon the pun) High speed 75+ :)
I changed the springs in my softail and it make the bike better but dont get them from a harley dealer try Tony Coleman at All American Motorcycles 01299 251111 post code DY10 4JB
Have you e mailed Dunlop about the tyre pressures. Not all makes of tyre will run the same pressures as recommended in the manual. But sounds like you could be due a fork spring replacement. But as JP said get some aftermarket ones, (cus JP knows his Harleys).
Just had the following from a VERY reliable source (our man in the know - Greasy Tony):
“at high speed the front end bounces it's not a wobble or sending me in to a tank slapper”First things first .. If the front end is bouncing, then the front suspension is too soft .. period!!Bluey states ..... “I run the recomended pressures 38 front 44 rear” .. this is incorrect !!Correct pressures for an ’02 RoadKing running Dunlops D402 MT90B16's are:Solo .. 36 psi front .. 36 psi rearTwo up .. 36 psi front .. 40 psi rear.The front springs, as John has said he had done on his Harley’s, really should be changed for Progressive ones, with a certain amount of pre load added to the springs. This pre load amount will vary from rider to riders preference .. .. Good move John!!Changing the fork oil to a heavier weight oil is a good move also, Although it doesn’t do as much as people think it does.Stock Harley fork oil .. Type E, is 5 weight .. Screamin’ Eagle oil, is 15 weight .. do not go heavier than this!!The better option is to increase the oil volume by aprox 10 mm (3/8”) as this reduces the available air space in the fork leg, thereby giving a higher resistance when forks are compressing ..The correct oil amount in each of the forks should be 11.1 ounces or 328 Ml. This is into a stripped and cleaned fork !!When you have added the oil, compress the leg, minus the spring, and measure how far down the fork the oil level is, then add oil to raise the level by 10mm or 3/8” .Another thing to check on a Road King is the rear suspension air pressure.All RoadKing models have air adjustable rear shock absorbers.Have this checked by a competent person using the correct equipment DO NOT USE A STD GARAGE AIR LINE
Just to update you all, After having the springs fitted it did make a hell of a difference. However I found I still had the same problem so I had the front engine mounting changed, looking at the old mounting and seeing that the rubber had split it was the mounting that was causing the problem.
wow interesting reading all the above - and maybe i ought to check my tyre pressures - not coz i got problems just coz i ought to darn do it!!
glad ya got it sorted bluey
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