Started my front end service

[jimmytee]

Last summer, I had replaced both tires at a local shop. Immediately afterwards, my trip home was very unsettling. Whenever I pushed the bike near 80 mph, the bike would start to wallow ,fish like from side to side and got progressively worse as I tried to speed up. I pulled off the Interstate just to check things over. I was afraid something was left loose. I took it back to the guy i got the tires from, he test rode it and came back and said he didn't know how I got it home. He could feel it as slow as 35 mph. We both looked over the bike and pulled the front wheel. A close examination of the tire, showed maybe a possible irregularity. He ordered a new tire. During our examination, we noticed that there was a very slight amount of play in the fork lowers/sliders  from side to side. Not anything you could see, but you could feel it in your hands. Very subtle, but there. Well the new, new tire helped, but the issue did not completely disappear. If I press it upwards near 90 mph and above, the same symptoms start . I'm rebuilding the front forks with new bushings and progressive springs. I'm also going to go ahead and replace the head bearings and front wheel bearings. Neither of which appear to be bad, but I want to eliminate problems, and since servicing the forks requires me to remove my Woody's fairing , I figure it might as well be done. My bike has always wanted to track to the right, something my 98 never did. It tracked like it was on rails. So I am also planning on putting new shocks on the back to eliminate that possibility and in the process improve handling. Looking probably at the 444s.
Any input?

[Bighead]

Jimmy throw a new air filter in there while you got the tank off
My 97 which you are aware I am in the middle of the same on, has always tracked slightly to the right and I bought it new. Never down or even bumped anything I think that is just the nature of some of these machines. It isn't enough to notice when your (at least one) hands are on the bars.
My interstate is better at tracking straight but will still drift a bit.
I had a HD Street glide that I could set the cruise on and ride down the interstate for an hour without touching them if I wanted

[hubcapsc]

Any input?

If you don't get your new shocks right away, check the bushings on the old ones.

And if the problem doesn't go away after you've done all that, check the swingarm
bearings.

-Mike

[jimmytee]

Jimmy throw a new air filter in there while you got the tank off
My 97 which you are aware I am in the middle of the same on, has always tracked slightly to the right and I bought it new. Never down or even bumped anything I think that is just the nature of some of these machines. It isn't enough to notice when your (at least one) hands are on the bars.
My interstate is better at tracking straight but will still drift a bit.
I had a HD Street glide that I could set the cruise on and ride down the interstate for an hour without touching them if I wanted

I have a K&N filter , I just serviced it, but thanks.
My 98 tracked like it was on rails. I could lock the throttle and sit back going down the interstate with confidence and actually steer by putting a knee further into the wind whichever direction I wanted to go. Not so with this bike,a 2000. If I take my hands off the bar, it wants to wander right. I can keep it straight with what seems to be unnaturally focusing  my weight to the left, but it doesn't inspire confidence. Like you said, not perceivable with one or both hands on the bars.

Any input?

If you don't get your new shocks right away, check the bushings on the old ones.

And if the problem doesn't go away after you've done all that, check the swingarm
bearings.

-Mike

I replaced the shock bushings last year.

[hubcapsc]

I replaced the shock bushings last year.

Compared to what you'll get from Progressive, the OEM ones are made from marsh mellows 

-Mike

[98valk]

you do know that all roads have a crown with a slope to the right for drainage, right? 

[Bighead]

you do know that all roads have a crown with a slope to the right for drainage, right? 

Yup but all bikes act different on those slopes.

[jimmytee]

you do know that all roads have a crown with a slope to the right for drainage, right? 

I hope that was in jest...lol
My 98 rode the same roads

[Relax]

I wish all threads ( cases) stated which year the bike is and how many miles,,,
It's good for history and future search ,,,

[Michvalk]

If you have the rear apart, I would make sure to check the swingarm bearings. No cost but time. When you put everything back together, make sure the fork tubes line up, and the head bearings are torqued to spec. I had the same problem with mine, and used a piece of glass to line up the forks, and fixed the problem. Mine was a 99 Interstate, 30,000 miles

[98valk]

you do know that all roads have a crown with a slope to the right for drainage, right? 

I hope that was in jest...lol
My 98 rode the same roads

u be surprize how many people do not the roads are sloped for drainage. no offence just don't know what u know. 

[rxvalk]

Jimmy Tee

You will probably think I am a little crazy for posting this but it was my experience anyway. I had a mustang seat on my 98 tourer and my friend Gregg had a stock seat. when I took my hands off the bars it would head right slowly. If you leaned to the left it would stay somewhat straight but not for long and I really did not trust it. New fork springs new springs on my 412 shocks and bushings and no change. I picked up a stock seat because I did not like the mustang on long rides. When I put the stock seat on and rode the problem was gone tracked straight all day long. Almost as if the aftermarket seat changed the Center of Gravity. My experience anyway.... FWIW

[jimmytee]

Jimmy Tee

You will probably think I am a little crazy for posting this but it was my experience anyway. I had a mustang seat on my 98 tourer and my friend Gregg had a stock seat. when I took my hands off the bars it would head right slowly. If you leaned to the left it would stay somewhat straight but not for long and I really did not trust it. New fork springs new springs on my 412 shocks and bushings and no change. I picked up a stock seat because I did not like the mustang on long rides. When I put the stock seat on and rode the problem was gone tracked straight all day long. Almost as if the aftermarket seat changed the Center of Gravity. My experience anyway.... FWIW

It has rode like this with both the stock seat and my ultimate King Big Boy.
I appreciate any input, however just to be clear, This is not my first Valkyrie. My first one, a 98, rode like it was on rails. I've experimented with multiple sides and roads, and unless a I put a fair amount of un natural body english into it,when I take all hands off the bars , it wants to wander to the right. The only exception is if the road to the right angles up hill enough to counter the effect.That's not too common.

[Firefighter]

Jimmytee, I was reading your post from last year. My 2000 IS has the same small play in the front forks and the same wobble on the road 80 mph and up. I can feel the play with the front wheel off and holding both forks. I rebuilt my forks and still have the problems, did you solve your trouble? Thanks