65 fl seems loose in corners

[bmh]

Never saw a set of out of balance fly wheels cause a handling problem. Don't see how excess vibration could make her feel like she was coming out from under you in a corner. Noticed you checked your spokes by "pulling on them"? The proper way to check them for tightness (not to be confused with true) is to wrap on each one with a spoke wrench. They should all ring with a crisp note, anything that sounds dull is loose. That big machine is going to put way more stress on the spokes during cornering load that you ever will with your hand. When was the last time the wheels were trued? Wheels that aren't round , straight and properly centered can cause all sorts of handling problems. I'd check the spokes properly and then take a look at the wheel bearings with a good clean and inspect to make sure both radial play and end-play are in spec. and make sure they were reasonably true. If the problem still persists after you know the wheels are in proper order then it's time to look at something else.

[65eglide]

I'm assuming the un-balanced flywheels are causing the vibration, seems I can't get the bike up above 55mph on the highway, without my feet vibrating off of the floorboards shouldn't be like that..the handling aspect is mostly likely some other cause, wheels not true, shocks..etc. could be I have two different problems going on at the same time...anyway
It's going to the shop tomorrow and one of the guys there who had and 65 FL is taking it for a ride 1/2 hour or so guess I'll cross my fingers it's not going to have to be rebuilt..but I'm not too optimistict about it

[MJW]

What was changed at your last re-build? Just freshening up the top end shouldn't require a re-balance...Mike

[65eglide]

not sure if it was even rebuilt, that's what i was told, but last winter during a teardown this motor had too many leaks to only have 14k since it was last torn apart

[bmh]

Don't confuse rebuilt with rebuilt well
I've seen lots of stuff leak real bad with less miles.

[gmarakas]

Just caught up...

I just caught up with this thread after having been out for awhile recovering from old age ;-)

Anyway, after six 65 Pan restores, I have yet to find one that will run smooth without balancing the flywheels. If the floorboards are vibrating and the top mount is intact and properly shimmed, then the flys are the culprit in my experience.

I guess you already came to that conclusion. One possible fix before splitting the cases would be to add a BalanceMaster rind to the clutch housing. They use a mercury-filled tube to counter the vibration. I have seen this work as well or better than a full metal jacket flywheel balance and it is a damn sight cheaper.

Hope this helps.

[Slojo]

Tighten up your corners

Harley introduced loose in the corners in 1958 and I am not sure they have ever fixed it. If you want handling buy a Harley with a rigid frame and springer fork and or a Ducati they both work well. You won’t regret your decision. It worked for me.
P.S. Anyone interested in a very nice original paint 63 DuraGlider that is a little loose in the corners?
joe

[Panhead]

I would have bet on the frame being cracked in the left downtube where the factory placed the triangular gusset on the later frames. What I read at the beginning of this thread seemed so much like the troubles experienced with a friend's '65 many years ago.

[65eglide]

I just caught up with this thread after having been out for awhile recovering from old age ;-)

Anyway, after six 65 Pan restores, I have yet to find one that will run smooth without balancing the flywheels. If the floorboards are vibrating and the top mount is intact and properly shimmed, then the flys are the culprit in my experience.

I guess you already came to that conclusion. One possible fix before splitting the cases would be to add a BalanceMaster rind to the clutch housing. They use a mercury-filled tube to counter the vibration. I have seen this work as well or better than a full metal jacket flywheel balance and it is a damn sight cheaper.

Hope this helps.

sorry have not had a chance to be on here in a while, can you explain this balancemaster thing

[yhprum]

http://www.balancemasters.com/motorcycles/index.html
Has anyone here used them? Would like to know the results!

Steve

[pat triplett]

i was reading you're posts,noticed my 66 flb had a woble in the front, after checking all of the above mentioned,i went to drain the juice out of the forks and right side was bone dry,filled them with fresh oil and walllaaa, back in action. also if you have a week spring that;ll make it duck and dive on you. got to have equal pressure. my 2 cents, and that vibration,check you're chain and sprockets,a cupped out front or rear sprocket and stretched chain will cause vibration. 2 more cents. im new to the site,but i have a barn full of old bikes. good luck

[65eglide]

ok thanks, but the loosness (sp) is in the rear end, front seems fine, checked the primary side already, that all seems ok. I contacted balance master and they have nothing that will fix the flywheel problem. there products are for out of balance clutches and compemsator sprockets, they can put one of there products on the flywheel when it's rebuilt but that puts me back to square one as far a rebuild

[yhprum]

Since the back end appears to be where the prblem is and you have checked the front end, I havent seen any mention of checking the swingarm for exessive play. Dont know if you have bushings or bearings on the pivot. Had a Old sportywith that once.

[65eglide]

already checked and replaced the swingarm bearings this past summer.

[bmh]

Did you check the swing arm for true? Bent swing arms definitely feel squirrelly in corners.