Another problem with my mostly stock 97' Dyna , i am getting front end wobble or swaying when i go around sweepers at 60km + very unnerving at speed i can tell you ( also does it when i go slower just not as noticeable , Also does it riding 2 up ). I have recently had the rear shock rebuilt and put new springs in the front, the tyre is good and so is tyre pressure, i am currently trying to check the steering head but can't get the security allen head pinch bolt loose ( bastard!!!) Oh and yes it did do this prior to working on the suspension. Any ideas anyone?
Fuck knows ... not a good problem to have .... sell it and buy a new one
hi. try looking at the stablizer link joint on the top engine mount if its done a few klms , grab the front rocker box & try to move the engine left & right at the top side ways, any click noise or movement ?, also A new rear tyre ive seen early dyna's have steering problems & its just the tyres, once 1/2 worn the handling is bad esp if the bike is ridden in a straight line a lot like hiway use . but check out rear engine mount as well. cheers
Thanks for all the tips i will try and check them all out, tyre is almost new and was balanced, i have checked the spokes, seem ok, still working on getting at the steering head,the fork oil i replaced was measured and poured in from the top, is there any other way? how do you check the swingarm? Yes i had both rear shocks rebuilt that was just a typo. Cheers
I have checked for movement in the stering head by grabbing the bottom of front forks no noticable movement at all, i tried the drop away test and the forks are almost all the way around before they drop away by themselves so they seem quite stiff.
I am trying to check the steering head bearings but i can not get those bastard pinch bolts loose at all, i have broken a star allen key trying to do it. So the plan now is to get to a tool supplier tomorrow try and get a socket star allen key thingy and try again, shit their tight then if i ever do get them off replace them with normal allen bolts.
I was told by the previous owner that he got the bike checked over by Moron and Wankers in Brisbane and they checked the engine mounts and was told they were in good nick. Also i tried the thing someone suggested about grabbing the front rocker box cover and checking for movement and that seemed fine.
So i'm stuck till i can get those bloody pinch bolts loose!
Update- I have tried for 2 days to remove the pinch bolts on the steering head and top of forks ,managed to get them loose except the steering stem pinch bolt which i slowly but surely wrecked the head of cause it was so bloody tight , wouldn't be surprised if it has never been loosened since the bike was built, anyway head of bolt was wrecked could not get it out so i called a mobile thread repairer who drilled it out for $80, now the bolt is shavings so i was going to replace it with a proper allen head bolt instead of those f':ing torx head things, only problem now of course is i can't take the bolt with me to the boltshop to show them what i need, does anyone know what size bolt and the thread i need? ( 1997 Dyna Superglide)
Checked the steering head bearings all looks to be ok, checked the front wheel bearings also ok, will take the wheel in to get it checked out and probably put a new tyre on even though this one is still in good condition. Cheers Ian
Stop searching i just had a stroke of genius and checked if the other pinch bolts fit in the stering stem, yes they do, just need to be a bit longer, now all i have to do is try and find somewhere open to buy the bolts i need.
Well done lads...Now I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place...Im a 57 model.....
hi, iam 56 model, so doz that make me a year older tomorrow ? or just the world ,
the thread is 3/8" UNC ( not witworth) happy fucking in da newyear
Yea i will check the engine mounts, just picked up the bolts i need so i can continue with the fun and games. By the way i'm a 58' model.
Just got the front end back together, all i've done basically is check stuff and regrease the wheel and steering head bearings which were a bit on the tight side other than that everything seemed ok. Took it for a short test ride, initial thoughts, seems to have improved the handeling but there was too much traffic and cops to even get up to 50kph so i'll have another go later.
Just did another run and much better than before although i still think it could be better so i'll check the swingarm next and go from there.
So could it be that tight steeringhead bearings could cause the front end to wallow in corners?
Just read up on the true track brace thingy maybe that's what i need?
I've had the bike about one year the front wheel is a 19inch and how the heck do you bleed the air out of the forks?
Just back from a decent test ride and bike handles much better than before, could be better but from what i've read on this site thats the nature of the beast so maybe a forkbrace or something down the track. Problem was the steering headbearings, doubt they have been serviced since the bike was built ( 1997 ). Thanks to everyone who helped with advice.
