The bike is up on the jack, doing a powertrain alignment.  Also waiting for the Glide Pro back isolator kit and front engine mount. 40000klms on a two year old bike (08 RKC) and the speed wooble is getting worse as the clicks mount up.  Side stabilizer links did help for a little while but as the stock isolator in the rear got softer the ride got worse.  I think the link stopped lateral movement of the motor but with a softenning swingarm mount the wooble prevails.

This wooble is a serious problem for those who like to push their pre 2009 tourers.  If this kit does not work it looks like its going to be a new bike,

Anyone else used a Glide Pro front and rear kit?  Would like to hear what people think.

By the way the Glide Pro site has a good (in principle) video on aligning the powertrain.  www.glide-pro.com

 

First thing that came to mind,,,,, I assume that you have checked wheel bearings before looking for anything more serious ?

Yep, wheel bearings fine, as a matter of fact the whole front wheel was replaced a couple of months back because the chrome was peeling off the hub. The steering head bearings are also fine. The fall away is good.

Just got back from Bunnings. Bought two Black & Decker laser levels $34.94 each and two 60x100x140 90degree angles for $4.41 each. Bolted the angles to each (unwarped) discs and put the magnetic laser levels on the edge of each angle parallel to the disc and shot two lines on the floor. By the way the bike is on a jack and level at the top of the frame under the seat, the topedo level is on the front disc is showing dead plumb and the back disc is showing dead plumb after adjusting the top mount.
Well this part is a little scarry - the laser lines converge on the floor not too far off the midway point between back front axles.

I going to adjust the bottom stabalizer link and bring the two laser lines into parallel and then re adjust the top link and see how I go. This should make it spot on for the Glide Pro mounts. I will let you know how it goes.

Phantom - I dont know how using the un-adjustable top link would help unless it happened to be by chance the perfect length for your ride. Because our bikes only have one bottom central front mount we need an adjustable top link to get the motor plumb or more importantly the back wheel plumb.

Roadtrain, bloody genius!! Thats what needs stuffing, that space inside behind the cap.

Phantom - the Progressive Stabalizer I installed did help stop the side to side movement but as the isolators softened up the wooble got worse. I think you need both fixes.

I have finished aligning the power train to the frame and I now have two wheels thrusting in the same direction and plumb. Back wheel/motor was out of plumb by 6mm over the height of the wheel and the front mount about 5mm too far to the right of the frame. Just waiting for the Glide Pro to arrive. Got clearnce back for the brake leaver which I always thought was too close to the exhaust. Also noted the preset length of the progressive link was perfect and screws into place a lot easier than before.

Installed the glide pro front and back mounts, also a new rear tyre. Took it out last weekend and had to take it easy to run the tyre in. Felt tight and direct but wont really know till next week. Let you know then. Hogbag, did you know the swingarm axle is not centre to the isolator? RT did you have trouble trying to queeze that bush in as is or did you have grind off one side?

Great THread...Now I just need to find someone to do it for me !! not a spanner in the house !

You guys with 2010 bikes may gloat now but the design of your bike is essentially the same, so get a few miles up and I'm sure you'll get a wobble on like the rest of us. After RT's words I fitted the sta-bo bushes. Haven't had a chance to push it too hard since but every bit helps. My '01 tends to weave a bit but I wouldn't say it has ever wobbled. I'm right with you RT as I wouldn't swap my carby for efi.

had ours for 16 months done 32000 k's townsville to tassie n back and townsville to albany an back plus riding to work most days and havent had any probs with handling can still carve a corner just as hard as when it was new !!!!!!! and yes the boards have been worn down a tad !!

I have put 42k on my FLHT since June last year and the only time it wobbles is in high speed corners with bumps and pots holes in them.  The other thing I have found out about the newer baggers is to have the rear suspension set right and then it's not much of a problem.

 

My 00.02c worth.

Ok went for a decent ride on the TBolt ride Saturday. Good day and good track to test out the Glide Pro now I have taken the shine of the new rear tyre. From Mt White to Singleton and then back to Sydney on the Putty.

The feel was tight, alot tighter than the orignial mounts but with a little bit of vibration in the frame althogh not enought to worry me. I haved tried it with a progressive stabalizer link and without. The vibration was worse with the stabalizer link though.

The bike tracked straight and true without deviation or tram tracking even over timber planked bridges, constructions joints in the concrete, scarified roads and the like. I dont know whether I can put this down to the Glide Pro though, maybe just the whole package, which also includes a new tyre, wheel bearing to be sure and a decent wheel alignment.

It felt good in the tighter corners, fast or slow and was direct and very controlable. No hint of swingarm distortion. Sweepers felt alot better as well. This is probably where the Glide Pro was the biggest improvement. On fast sweepers, say arount the 120-140 mark it held its line without the usual wooble of the past. Take it on bumpy sweeping roads at this speed and its ugly head starts to stick up though. I would say it has given me another 20/30 or so K's better speed in the bends over the stock mounts. Maybe I should put up with a little more vibration in the frame and put the Progressive stabalizer link on and see it helps in this area. The bike did feel a lot better on the freeway at speed as well, it held my line a lot better especially with changes in direction like changing lane after over taking.

I guess overall I am happy with it and other chasis work I have done to the bike. I think I got a better result than renewing the original engine mounts which suits my riding.

I am looking forward to getting a little more confident on the bike as I get my trust back in it.

Your bike certainly took the corners alot better than mine Fr3d.
Trying to keep up to you felt like my rear end was held together by an old piece of rope.
Depressing really. 35K for a bike that handles in the rear end like shit.
Looks like I have a bit of work to do to get it up to a decent handling standard

Hey Groover, happy to help a fellow RK rider. Maybe you should look at the Stabo for an easier fix. Like your bike, I wanted that colour originally but could not get it.

Thanks for the compliment Fr3d, was lucky that it was the only one of that colour available at the time of purchase.

Did you purchase the Pro-Glide from the U.S. ?

Hey Roadtrain, what part/model of the Landrover did the bushes belong too?

Just keeping both options up my sleeve.

Seems like an easy job, had visions of removing the rear wheel & swingarm and rebuilding the whole bushing assembly.

Gday DuHast, mine was definitely comming from the back end. Nothing from the front yet. Over 40000k's though so probably about time for a little headset nicking up.
Groover, got the glide pro directly from them - the dollar was a little better than it is now but all up for the front and rear set up it cost me AUD486 delivered to my door. Not cheap but I am happy with the results. www.glide-pro.com
There are some installation videos on line but I pulled the wheel and swingarm off, not a hard job for the handy. Off course theres the motor alignment as well to do after. I have the laser tools if want to borrow them.

Thanks for the info fellas, and thanks for the offer of the laser beams Fr3d.

Might wait until after the Winter Rally before I start pulling things apart.

But it definitely has to be done.

Old subject I know

Just ordered a stabilizer system  from Glide Pro and can't wait to feel the difference in handling.

Watch out Fr3d, I might be right behind you up the Putty Rd next time, thanks for all your advice anyway.

C,mon Santa

hey groover you wont be dissapointed, they are the best---cheers Grim

After riding a RKC for 9 years, I now think something is wrong if it doesn't wobble. I have researched it & come up with a product called a Bagger Brace. I am confident it will be the answer so I ordered 3 of them. Will let you know the outcome when they arrive and I fit one to my bike. I will have 2 more for sale.

Hey grim, your right.

Fitted the Pro-Glide to the RK and done the wheel alignment (it was only out by a smiggion).
Now she handles like a bike should and feels nice and solid around the sweepers.