67 FLH, Front end wobble

[cmcadam]

My 67 FLH has a wobble in the front end. It starts around 28-30 MPH, and goes away at 40-42. Wheels are checked and found to be true. Swapped front to rear, rear to front. What is the next thing to check?

[Chris Haynes]

Seat post bushing.

[portagepan]

A lot of variables. If it is at one speed onl6y, could be the style of tire. Are they repros of the old oem style?. I have had that problem before, which caused a low speed wobble.
Mike

[flat-happy]

wheel bearings are touchy on 67-72. one bearing is in the wheel hub and the other side is in the brake drum on those years. neck bearings to loose or too tight will cause it too

[bill campbell]

frontend wobble

I have had the same thing happen to me on a full dresser and it was a under inflated tire but you say you swaped out the front and rear could be a cracked in your frame they seem to break under the tranny and on the down tube below the battery box on the primary side,I would also check the neck bearings.. good luck

[INLINE4NUT]

Have you checked the adjustment on the triple trees?? thats what it sounds like to me

[cmcadam]

Re: 67 FLH front end wobble

Thanks to all who made suggestions. I will start by replacing the seat post bushing, it does have some side to side play, that my 51 FL does not. Will pass on the results.

[Rooster]

Aren't there two seat post bushings on a '67?

[cmcadam]

67 FLH front end wobble

I think that I did read somewhere that there are two (2) seat post bushings, thanks

[Rooster]

Now, I know Chris personally, and I trust everything he says --- (usually --- ) But I think this is the first time I've heard sloppy seat post bushings as causing a wheel wobble. My first suspect is always the front tire, if it's developed any weird wear patterns. Then you have to consider steering head bearings and the tension on them. A fall-away test will determine that, but any cables -- such as front brake cable-- should be disconnected so as to not interfere. Then there's wheel bearings, both front and rear, and not to forget rear wheel alignment. A windshield will aggravate a wobble, also.

[bmh]

Check the spokes before you start tearing into things. It's easy to check and Ive seen loose spokes cause quite a wobble.

[flathead1957]

wobble...

Maybe the luggage rack bolts are on too tight? (A little levity....sorry)

[cmcadam]

67 FLH front end wobble

I have tightend the stem nut, removed the solo seat and drove with a frame mounted seat, still have the wobble. So I think that eliminates the seat post bushings, and the neck bearings. Unless there is something I am missing. Anybody have any thoughts? Tires, have 95% tread remaining, they are Yokahama brand, my tire guy said that they are old remakes, maybe twenty years or more. On the sidewall it says " H.D.S. Classic " size is MT90-16. The tread patteren is similar to the old Goodyear Speed Grip. Someone mentioned wheel bearings, I have swapped wheels front to back, so I would think that at least eliminates the bearings in the hubs. That leaves the bearing in the front brake hub. What would I check for on the front drum and bearing?

[exeric]

What tire pressure are you running?

[cmcadam]

20 PSI Front
24 PSI Rear as per my manual