Sunday's Ride With the Wild Bunch!

[Dubsvalk]

I got up early and eased down to the garage.  Didn't want to wake Lois, her morning to sleep in; I had other plans.  I rode into Halls to the Pilot station and grabbed a fresh cup of coffee and turned on my cell phone.  A message from Smokin Joe had just come in.  After talking with Joe I decided to ride with the Wild Bunch as they were heading in the direction I was thinking of going.  The morning was cool and overcast and stayed in the 50s all day; still a good day to ride.  As I turned onto Clinton Hwy a black I/S slid by me in the left lane.  The rider looked back at my Tourer.  I'm sure he thought he had just passed a Harley because of the Batwing Faring, until he saw the gleaming chrome valve covers hanging out the side.  I didn't know who he was but I knew where he was headed so I fell in behind him and we rode hard thru nice curves to the Hardees in Clinton where SmokinJoe was waiting.  Two more joined us and we headed to Sweetwater to meet riders from Missouri and Georgia to have breakfast and ride the Cherohala.  We rode back roads across town and took I-75 south to Sweetwater.  We were in the left lane passing traffic as we went by the first Sweetwater exit.  I was in the "rocking chair" the two riders in front accelerated hard to clear traffic and move into the right lane to make the next exit.  I accelerated with them, when I hit 90 MPH the front whell started shaking violently and I realized instantly that I was in a front wheel death wobble.  The two riders behind me slowed way down  sure they were about to witness a brother go down in a terrible crash.  I gripped the handlebars tightly and rolled off the throttle.  It continued to shake violently.  I squeezed the clutch and let it drift and as it slowed the wobbling stopped.  I breathed a sigh of relief and thanked God for intervening.  The two riders ahead were well ahead oblivious to the near tragic incident that just happened behind them.  Big Al pulled up beside me as we stopped at the intersection.  His face was drained, white as a ghost but he managed a feeble smile as we turned left to join the others at McDonalds just ahead.  After breakfast we rode to Tellico Plains where we stopped for gas.  I didn't make the rest of the ride with my friends.  Instead I decided to head home and plan what I needed to do about my problem.  My first thought is the new tire is at fault as it shimmys a little when I pull out.  But I think I will install new bearings in the front including the wheel, progressive springs, seals and oil as well as a new tire. 
Dubs

[..]

Is the front wheel balanced correctly?

Are the tire pressures front and back correct?

Got the correct size tires?

What setting do you have the rear shocks at?

Are they both set equally?

Are the rear shock bushings OK?

What are the common causes of head shake / tank slapper?	powered by Aeva

[eric in md]

also could very well be that tar he has on the rear of bike... buddy of mine had one of those and his bike was very unstable and 80 mph ..

[..]

also could very well be that tar he has on the rear of bike... buddy of mine had one of those and his bike was very unstable and 80 mph ..

Ah Ha !

If he crossed an Interstate lane over the crown into the right rut, into the left rut over the crown, into the right rut etc on rutted concrete that could be the culprit. Maybe?

[Dubsvalk]

Thanks for all the possibilities!  I've had the bike at 100 with the Austone tire on it so I don't believe it was the rear tire that caused it.  The rear shocks have never been touched and the bushings are good.  The correct tire is on the front with correct pressure.  Same make and size tire that was on it.  It was balanced correctly.  I watched them balance it when it was installed.  Big Al suggested all these things plus the Batwing Fairing I installed on it.  Too many to assume anything at the moment.  I really believe I will find the new front tire to have a problem but I'm not ruling out anything.  I'm just glad to be alive right now.  It wasn't a tank slapper but it was close.
Dubs

[DDT (12)]

Dubs,

Glad you were able to keep your wits about you and get her back under control... Hope you find the problem, and that it turns out to be simple to fix... Looking forward to ridin' and hangin' out with ya next June in your beloved Hillbilly country...

DDT

[thumper]

Is the Gremlin (Guardian) Bell properly installed?

[Stanley Steamer]

I had a high speed wobble at 124mph GPS actual speed.....that's what I got for passing a couple of Hardleys .......

[Mr Whiskey]

Dubs, it was good to finally get to met ya, & I knew I'd just pass'd a Valk at Emory & Clinton Hwy. Why ya think I eyeball'd ya so hard!
You were dead on my 6 all the way to Hardees so I knew you could ride right away.
Glad that wobble didn't rear its ugly head in those twisty's cause I wouldn't have wanted to double back searching for survivors.
Big Al's got a good point 'bout Progressive springs but............
I didn't know you had a new front tire.
If your gut is tellin' ya that's the prob, trust it!
New is still spelled NEW, not GOOD.
Even if it spins out true that don't mean it aint BAD.
Hope to see ya again soon. Glad ya made it home safe.
Peace, Whiskey.

[cookiedough]

Just keep it under 80 mph and all will be fine? 

[Dubsvalk]

Whiskey, It was great riding with you and the Wild Bunch!  When I saw you go by I was hoping you would let me catch you and follow you to Hardees.  You are a good guy and I'm glad I got to meet you as well.  I'm anal about my vehicles so I will check everything to get the problem found and fixed.  I wish I could have ridden the Cherohala with the group.  The therapy of riding my bike keeps me semi sayne.  I hope you make the Hillbilly ride in June with us.  I will definately keep my speed below 80 until I find my problem.  I need to slow down and smell the Roses anyway!
Dubs

[signart]

Don't know you or anybody here, but glad you're safe & had the skill to keep it rolling. Please let us know what you discover, it might save a life. Start a new thread with your report so we can find it.

[Dubsvalk]

Signart, Thanks for the post!  I will definately post my findings.  I really hope it is something wrong with the new tire, it would be an easy fix.  time will tell.  And thanks, I am definately fortunate to be among the living!
Dubs

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Whiskey and I was up front when this happened. I still think it most likely was that taxi tire on the rear that caused this . Dubs if you ever do that move again do it where I can watch    Just kiddin' my friend hope you get it figured out . I've had that happen to me twice first time I was young seein' what I could get out of a Yamaha XS 1100 at about 140 it came unglued. Second time was on my blue Valkyrie runnin' with Lucky 13 down the super slab hit about 115 and she started shankin' . I changed both tires after that it was close to 10,000 miles on the tires on it at the time and it fixed it. I've opened it up to all shes got several times since then with no worries.

[Mr Whiskey]

Look forward to ridin' with ya again at Hillbilly. You'll get to meet Sugar (my Better half).
Be safe brother.
Peace, Whiskey.

[BigAl]

IT was scary for sure.

I saw it all.

Good job Dubs of saving it.

Check the shock setting.

Try the things I told you. It was wiggling earlier at lower speeds as well, when you would cross lanes,.

Back tire was laggin a bit behind.

Check  for oil on the back shocks as well. Could be leaking around the seals.

The back was wondering as I said. Swingarm as in rear of course, bearings may be worn or loose.

The rear instead of the front could very well be the prob.

Start with shock settings are they equal, leaking, or loose.

Jack it up check the swing arm/

You will find it as you are a good mechainic.

[Dubsvalk]

Big Al, I appreciate your keen eye!  I will most definately check the rear as well!  I still plan to replace all the bearing in the front.  While I have it on the stand I will pull the rear wheel and check the swing arm bearings, shocks, bushes etc. 
Again, thanks for the help with your suggestions.  And I'm glad you didn't have to clean up any mess off I-75 Sunday!
Dubs