| Author |
Message |
    
Ulykan
| | Posted on Friday, March 06, 2009 - 05:34 pm: | 
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Above 70mph my XT front end begins to chatter and becomes more noticeable the higher the speed. The symptom begins just over 70 as a chatter or oscillation as if you are hitting speed bumps. The chatter is consistent yet intermittent inasmuch as it does it every time yet not every wheel rotation. I'm not sure how to describe what I see/feel but if you watch the windshield you will see it chatter or vibrate every few seconds and does not go away. At 80mph it is quite obvious but my dealer/stealer says his techs cannot find anything wrong. Another HD dealer says yes there is something but unsure what is happening or what is causing it. Today my dealer offered that it might be a wheel balance problem but I'd have to pay for balancing or checking balance. At lower speeds it almost imperceptible and barely there @ 70. Does anyone have a clue as to what could be causing this? while I don't often ride constant 80mph I do sometimes reach that speed and the bike simply should be stable as a rock even at higher speeds. Thanks. |
Akbuell
| | Posted on Friday, March 06, 2009 - 07:31 pm: |
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Try propping the bike up with the front wheel off the ground. Turn the wheel slowly, checking the tire bead/wheel rim area, and make sure the tire is seated properly. Then put a point of some type (a tall socket, a tool box, ect) next to each sidewall and the center of the tire, and look for bulges. Maybe the tire carcass is coming apart. If nothing, it may be a balance issue like the dealer says.
Other than that, rear tire? Front isolator? |
Ulykan
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 12:05 am: |
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Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that and see if I can find anything. Otherwise I guess I'll have to remove the wheel and check for balance. I'm certain the problem is coming from the front wheel. |
Aptbldr
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 07:42 am: |
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1) Axle - fork tubes - clamps' mis-alignment/binding?
2) Reset to Manual's fork damping & spring pre-load adjustments? |
Pontlee77
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 07:45 am: |
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have you reid putting bar end weights, it' solved my Uly front fish tailing. |
Charlie_zulu
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 11:13 am: |
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I had a similar problem with my R-1. It was stable until 100 or a little over and then it would begin to shake. Then at higher speeds it would go smooth again. Then even higher it would come back? I took a close inspection of the front tire and noticed the tire was cupping or had these fine ridges on the centerline of the tire. Changed the tire and it was glass all the way up to..%$%$^*!
speed. Go figure? |
Panhead_dan
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 11:37 am: |
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I know this sounds wrong but I've found that whenever it feels like a front end problem it's the rear causing it.
I would check both tires as described above but when checking the tire/wheel for ballance I would remove the brake caliper first. Then spin it and mark the tire with a sharpie at the top. Spin it again and mark it again. Do this several times and see if the marks are random (good ballance) or grouped up (needs weights). |
Ulykan
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 02:03 pm: |
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From what I'm reading, I need to have at least the front balanced and if that alone dosen't work then do the back too. I'm just miffed that my dealer isn't helpful on this matter. The Uly has only 4K on it and it was purchased in July. In September they rode it but wouldn't take it above 70mph and couldn't detect the symptoms therefore it doesn't have a problem according to them. For this reason they refuse to look at it again without me paying for it. Dealer problems seem to be quite common. I filed a BBB complaint but it probably won't help. If I thought that Buell would help I'd contact them and I may yet do it.
Thanks for the suggestions. After I get the balance checked I'll post back with the result. |
Sparky
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 04:19 pm: |
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If it were me, I'd take the bike to an experienced shop that specializes in motorcycle wheels and tires. They should be able to spin the tire to its max rated speed to check for balance or tire installation problems. |
Ulykan
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 04:27 pm: |
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Sparky,
I'll have to see if there is such a shop here but I doubt that there is. If not I'll have to depend on either an indy shop or go to a different Buell dealer although they are almost 200 miles from here. Thanks for the suggestion. My first stop will be my indy HD shop next week and depending on what I come up with I'll go from there. It still stinks that my dealer won't help me on this but I've come to understand that good shops are hard to find. |
Glen
| | Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 05:57 pm: |
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im not real sure if this is a PC thing to suggest on this site but i'd take my wheels off and take em to any jap bike dealer. they wont care what they came off of and probly wont charge you an arm an a leg to spin em for ya.
first i'd prolly loosen everything up and make sure stuff is were its supposed to be, then button it back up, ride it and if it still chatters take yer wheels in and check em. |
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08XT "chatters" above 70mph