Front end shimmies

[10262]

I have a '90 FXSTC. Just got two new tires - same brand and model as I have been running. The mechanic that did it is in a shop I have frequented for years and supposedly did the install, mounting, balancing correctly. Now, however, I have a slight shimmy about 20 or 25 mph - more noticeable when O am off the throttle and slowing. Not real bad, but definitely noticeable, and shakes the bars. Why?

[MrMarty51]

Oh Dang I thought it was gonna be another girlie thread with some front end shimmies.
OH YA rsator,Maaby You should go to the new members thread and do a post there first,I`ll gaurantee You will get more answers and respect by doing that.

[10262]

Sorry, I thought this forum was about riding and for riders, but you apparently think it is about your rank in the forum. Guess I went to the wrong forum. Thought it was about bikes, not ego. Guess you have no ideas about bike suspension or alignment or your ego woud have had you answer the question. If you don't know about motorcycles, just wait for the forum questions. I have no idea what you mean about "girlie" threads - like I said, I must be on the wrong forum.

[MrMarty51]

It is not about rank.
After reading about people doing a first post asking for tech tips and advice and not getting any answers due to the fact that most of them get their question answered and then are never heard from again and then the regulars getting dissapointed about that situation I thought I was doing YOU a favor by advising YOU to go do an introduction first or in YOUR case secondly and then a lot more people whoom are regulars would be more than happy to answer Your questions about the possibilities of a front end shimmy.
OH Ya and bye the way I do work on Mine own machines and do have just a tad bit of knowlege on what makes them go.

[vlade]

See now this is why we ask for intro's first to see if we are all gonna be immediatly insulted if we post on a newby thread. Then we know to waste our time or not.

[10262]

I did not go to newbie thread because I wanted a thread that might find someone who knew about HD front ends, and the suspension seemed perfect. Guess not. My initial impression as a "newbie" to Your forum is that it is designed primarily for folks to chatter, not for folks who want to learn and share. Hope you are not the "biker" who sees someone broken down - you might pass them if they are not a long term member of Your forum. Gotta go - break time is over - we are out riding right now and it is great weather after a long hot summer of riding. BTW, still don't have a mechanical answer.

[ruby4me]

OK you might need to check your front end bearing to see if they are at the right torque. It could also be in the front wheel what do you have spokes or mags?

[streetnoyz]

off the throttle and slowing? is it only when you use the front brake? I know your mechanic said he did it right but it may need to be checked again. everyone makes mistakes sometimes. wheel bearings? tire out of round? bad balance? spoked wheels or mags? it may not even be related to what was done, either way you should take it to a service guy you trust and have him start at step 1. tire pressue. we could go on forever. did this just happen or was it immediately after you drove off from the service?

BTW, don't be so pissy about someone giving you good advice. I read Martys post and all he said was you may get a better result if you went to the intro forum. WTF your all over his A$& and he's giving you advice. there are a lot of experienced people here that get used and abused by fly by nighters. you won't even get them to answer a question if your too sensative to be asked to go to the intro forum.
It's your choice no sweat off our backs. oh and BTW it's not unherd of for a tire to come out of the mold out of round either. good luck! Hope your day gets better.

[Rockerbox1]

I answered your other thread moron! go get bent! maybe find yourself some quality alone time with a shampoo bottle

[10262]

Whatever else I have posted, I really do appreciate the advice. It has spoke wheel, and it was just starting to shimmy a little before the new tire. I really thought a new balanced tire would do the trick - it is no worse but no better either. It is only a slight shimmy and i do not even notice it all the time but do most of the time. About 20 mph - I tried to see if it is worse braking or slowing, but seems the same no matter what I do. You had probably the best idea to go to a good mechanic and start at step one. It will probably be a couple weeks to get her in, but I can post again to let you know what is found. Thanks again for the help - I bought this Softail new in 1990 and she has never left me stranded in 20 plus states and almost 200k miles. I try to do as much maintenance as I can, but I also put safety first so I need more knowledgable help with this. Thanks for your responses - all of them.