Took the sidecar off last Sunday in order to do some unencumbered maintenance on the tug---'03 Softtail w/Champion raked trees and custom wheel w/165-80 X15 car tire on the back. After finishing bike work, and before putting sidecar back on, I took it for a test ride. Yes, I know you're not supposed to ride 2 wheels with the triple tree mod. Rode just fine until about 80 mph then it felt like the rear of the bike started to wobble slowly from side to side- oscillation time about 0.5 seconds. Yes, I immediately slowed down, and when I got home removed seat fragments from places they are not supposed to be. After inspecting the bike I cannot find anything amiss to cause the wobble. Does anybody know what might be the cause of the wobble? I looked at the service manuals and a mismatch between front and rear tires is a possible cause for handling problems. Shall this be entered as a precautionary tale for others who might be tempted to ride 2 wheels after modifying their ride for sidecar use???
Thanks for any insights you might have!
The combination of raked trees and flat tread automobile tire are enough to cause this at speed. You lucked out, it could have developed into a tank slapper.
Lonnie
Thanks, Lonnie! You are right about the tank slapper wobble! Luckily I was not at full throttle and accelerating otherwise it might have developed much more quickly and I'd have been past the critical point before I could react. I always wondered why you shouldn't ride with the modified triple trees. Now we all know what can happen! DON'T DO IT!
