harley weight distribution left vs right

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harley weight distribution left vs right

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micathia
3 years ago

Hi

I know all harleys are heavier on the left side. What I have been bothered with is, I have had three harleys, they all seem to "dog walk" to some degree.

On flat ground, if I sit straight up, I can feel the left side is heavier. I have to let the bike lean towards the right to get it to balance itself. On iron 883, this is a small lean, on Softail crossbones, this is significant.

As a result, all my bikes are leaning while going straight. So say if on the highway I am going straight, then I look down to the tank, the tank looks like while going to straight (12) but pointing to somewhere between 12 to 1 o'clock direction all the time. (someone called it dog walk in other forums I guess)

I swear it's not bent frame or wheel alignment issues, all three bikes are doing the same just to a different extent.

Anyone has this issue too?

thx

Soapbox2627
3 years ago

nice pie mic, mushrooms in it??

beaglebasher
3 years ago

No offence meant mic but I reckon you have a tendency to overthink things.

micathia
3 years ago

Quoting beaglebasher on 14 Sep 2020 08:25 AM
No offence meant mic but I reckon you have a tendency to overthink things.

lol

RossW
3 years ago

Quoting micathia on 14 Sep 2020 01:25 AM
Hi

I know all harleys are heavier on the left side. What I have been bothered with is, I have had three harleys, they all seem to "dog walk" to some degree.

On flat ground, if I sit straight up, I can feel the left side is heavier. I have to let the bike lean towards the right to get it to balance itself. On iron 883, this is a small lean, on Softail crossbones, this is significant.

As a result, all my bikes are leaning while going straight. So say if on the highway I am going straight, then I look down to the tank, the tank looks like while going to straight (12) but pointing to somewhere between 12 to 1 o'clock direction all the time. (someone called it dog walk in other forums I guess)

I swear it's not bent frame or wheel alignment issues, all three bikes are doing the same just to a different extent.

Anyone has this issue too?

thx

Not that I've noticed.

skirtster
3 years ago

camber?

steelo
3 years ago

They probably do weigh more on the left, that's where the primary is. Loaded up for a trip last week, the bike was clearly left side heavy and I felt I was fighting it. Get a small household spirit level (with a magnet) and put it on the tank. Go for a ride in a straight line. That'll tell you.

brucefxdl
3 years ago

Quoting steelo on 15 Sep 2020 10:03 AMedited: 15 Sep 2020 10:04 AM
They probably do weigh more on the left, that's where the primary is. Loaded up for a trip last week, the bike was clearly left side heavy and I felt I was fighting it. Get a small household spirit level (with a magnet) and put it on the tank. Go for a ride in a straight line. That'll tell you.

good one steelo,thinking outside the box.

steelo
3 years ago

Nice of you to say Bruce. Might have a look at mine tomorrow.

Wideglider
3 years ago

Quoting steelo on 15 Sep 2020 10:03 AMedited: 15 Sep 2020 10:04 AM
They probably do weigh more on the left, that's where the primary is. Loaded up for a trip last week, the bike was clearly left side heavy and I felt I was fighting it. Get a small household spirit level (with a magnet) and put it on the tank. Go for a ride in a straight line. That'll tell you.

Think Harley should have something like the spirit level fitted incorporated into the tank or in the dashboard as standard - it is important that level be monitored constantly.

brucefxdl
3 years ago

Quoting steelo on 15 Sep 2020 11:05 AM
Nice of you to say Bruce. Might have a look at mine tomorrow.

haha...got me thinking as well,my slip ons are 1.7 kg lighter than standard mufflers,not sure if i noticed any or much difference at the time. for some unknown reason [ subconcious ]i tend to pack the heavier gear in the right pannier.

brucefxdl
3 years ago

Quoting steelo on 15 Sep 2020 10:03 AMedited: 15 Sep 2020 10:04 AM
They probably do weigh more on the left, that's where the primary is. Loaded up for a trip last week, the bike was clearly left side heavy and I felt I was fighting it. Get a small household spirit level (with a magnet) and put it on the tank. Go for a ride in a straight line. That'll tell you.

Quoting Wideglider on 15 Sep 2020 11:20 AM
Think Harley should have something like the spirit level fitted incorporated into the tank or in the dashboard as standard - it is important that level be monitored constantly.

you might be on to something WGer........lol...be fun watching the bubble through twisties.

Soapbox2627
3 years ago

now we all know why the stand is on the left side
or
is that the cause of the left side being heavier?

ratly
3 years ago

that is very good thinking about the spirit level, but you would have to check the level was level,other wise it would not be a level and do the intended job, also having a spirit level incorperated in the bike was a good idea, because as we know not every one is on the level. Ratly

Evo
3 years ago

You might have too much blinker fluid on the left side. Recommend draining them all and refilling...

micathia
3 years ago

that's it! You know what? I quit. I am gonna switch to Japanese bikes as they look after my need.
Will sell my 2016 wide glide and 2008 crossbones $5000 each coz that's how they worth in my eyes now! no more Harley!

steelo
3 years ago

Quoting micathia on 15 Sep 2020 09:53 PM
that's it! You know what? I quit. I am gonna switch to Japanese bikes as they look after my need.
Will sell my 2016 wide glide and 2008 crossbones $5000 each coz that's how they worth in my eyes now! no more Harley!

Noiooo. Don’t do it m. Went for a ride to a hills cafe yesterday. All the old grey haired fellas on their jap road rockets dressed up like power rangers in 1 piece leather suits. Not a great look for me. I’d look like a telly tubby. (No not the gay one)
Actually. Wonder if the fat bob was not originally called the string bob? They really do have a lean on em.

Krash Kinkade
3 years ago

they have always been that way, when I went to open 3" belt primary, with no starter motor ( kick start only ) it seemed a bit more evenly balanced. but when riding, I've never really noticed. Some Choppers I've seen with offset motor & gear box, so they can fit a really fat rear wheel. they have a big problem with balanced off to one side.

Ratbob
3 years ago

Quoting micathia on 15 Sep 2020 09:53 PM
that's it! You know what? I quit. I am gonna switch to Japanese bikes as they look after my need.
Will sell my 2016 wide glide and 2008 crossbones $5000 each coz that's how they worth in my eyes now! no more Harley!

Excellent idea, I’ll take em.
Get off the chemicals first, they must be affecting your judgement cause no one would buy a Harley based on performance or think they’d look after your needs, you nutter. :-)

Ratbob
3 years ago

Quoting micathia on 15 Sep 2020 09:53 PM
that's it! You know what? I quit. I am gonna switch to Japanese bikes as they look after my need.
Will sell my 2016 wide glide and 2008 crossbones $5000 each coz that's how they worth in my eyes now! no more Harley!

Quoting steelo on 15 Sep 2020 10:23 PMedited: 15 Sep 2020 10:30 PM
Noiooo. Don’t do it m. Went for a ride to a hills cafe yesterday. All the old grey haired fellas on their jap road rockets dressed up like power rangers in 1 piece leather suits. Not a great look for me. I’d look like a telly tubby. (No not the gay one)
Actually. Wonder if the fat bob was not originally called the string bob? They really do have a lean on em.

Dunno Steelo which is worse, the Power Ranger look or the badge laden wannabe bikie pirate look?
Viva la difference.

Topics

1/2

harley weight distribution left vs right

harley weight distribution left vs right

micathia

Soapbox2627

beaglebasher

micathia

RossW

skirtster

steelo

brucefxdl

steelo

Wideglider

brucefxdl

brucefxdl

Soapbox2627

ratly

Evo

micathia

steelo

Krash Kinkade

Ratbob

Ratbob