Is this what bad shock bushings look like?

[al v]

Was researching a slow front end bounce at 35 mph on the board and found tires being out of round and rear shock bushings as possible causes. I haven't checked the tire roundness yet, but here is what I found for my rear shock bushings.



I'm guessing the rubber bushings should be a bit more centered...

[gordonv]

Yes. But I thought it would be thinner on the top?

[olddog1946]

Yep, they are worn. Should be centered.

[Canuck]

Mine looked like yours and this is what you'll find when you pull them.

[Chattanooga Mark]

My top Interstate bushings looked just like Canuck's as pictured. I just installed the poly bushings from Gary. My Interstate also has a slight head shake at 40mph to 45mph as I'm slowing down. I hope the new bushings help address that. I also checked the pressure in my front and rear Dunlap E3 tires. 47 Rear and 44 front.

All the best,

Mark

[steve 3054]

I use the head shake as a reminder it is time to replace the front tire due to low tread...or worst case the head bearings need replaced or tightened...

[al v]

Replaced bushings with xf6 bushings. It's cold today so I only went for a short ride, but the bike rides much better and I was not able to reproduce the 35 mph bouncing. The suspension also feels a lot tighter when on the front brakes. Ride quality improved at all speeds. The bad bushings were pretty much still intact but they were compressed and egg shaped.

[Bone]

Bad shock bushings is the first thing I learned from the VRCC Tech site. My 98 Tourer had 22K miles when I bought her. Started reading the short life the bushings have so I went out to the cold garage. Wow my shocks looked like yours or worse. Sent my order to Gary the same day. Never would I have noticed them, shock bushings shot not on a motorcycle.
Thanks VRCC

[GotValk]

Towards the end of last year I also had the under 35mph wobble, I changed the shock bushing hoping it would help, the bike had 50,000 miles and the bushing were in pretty good shape, I change them anyway, They did not help at all still wobbled.
I finished the season out with the wobble, This spring while doing some maintenance I realized my tires had over 14,000 miles on them, So long story short New tires = No wobble.
The Rear was really cupped and the wear bars were starting to show, front looked good but changed it also.
Bottom line is she rides like new again.

[salty1]

Was researching a slow front end bounce at 35 mph on the board and found tires being out of round and rear shock bushings as possible causes. I haven't checked the tire roundness yet, but here is what I found for my rear shock bushings.



I'm guessing the rubber bushings should be a bit more centered...

Yup!

[redflash]

Gary of XF6, either one, I need new, just rolled 80,000 and NEED them! Can someone point me please? i'll order today!! Just got new Redeye intake o-rings to install as well. Gotta keep the Fat Lady in good shape for another 80K!

[wild6]

Gary of XF6, either one, I need new, just rolled 80,000 and NEED them! Can someone point me please? i'll order today!! Just got new Redeye intake o-rings to install as well. Gotta keep the Fat Lady in good shape for another 80K!

XF6: http://www.xf6-custom.com/partpages/bushings.html

Gary: http://rattlebars.com/cart/bushings.html

[redflash]

Thank you, thank you!