shaking 2002 EV

[moltoguzzi]

I left the cigar shop and drove fine till I got on the highway then it started to shake side to side a little and got worse within the next few miles, I slowed to 50 in the right lane and made it to my exit. I noticed to shaking was now worse at slower speeds 30-40 on secondary roads, but I was able to make it home as it got progressively worse, I even heard some metal rubbing noise as i was going up my block. The next day I checked the air pressure, as I thought originally I had a flat, looked around the bike for loose frame bolts etc. but all seems ok, I did not remove the tank. I'm bringing it to a local guy Harley mechanic that I kind of talked into look at it, any ideas as to what might be?  wheel bearings? Final drive? Engine mount?
The bike feels unstable as it waddles from side to side which at speeds becomes a side to side vibration.
As this happened to anyone here, any ideas are well appreciated.

[Triple Jim]

A tire with a big bulge on it?  Broken spokes on a wheel, causing it to wobble?  Bad wheel bearing, allowing it to wobble?  Put the bike on its centerstand and rotate the wheels to see if something like this is the problem.

[twhitaker]

Take a look at the swingarm bearings as well as those in the triple tree.

[rocker59]

If the side to side shaking was only in the handlebars, then it's front wheel/tire related.  If the tire is OK, then you'll need to look at the wheel.  You noticed a metallic sound, which makes me think wheel bearings have gone bad.

[moltoguzzi]

Thanks for the replies! It wasn't handlebar only, the whole bike shakes, a rear wheel bearing is looking more likely, at least I have some starting points to pass on to the local mechanic. I'll post the right culprit when its fixed. 

[twhitaker]

Years ago I had a rear wheel bearing let go. Eventually it took out the roller bearing in the final drive which took out the inner seal. Check them all.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Wheel bearing. it shouldn't be too hard to spot.

Change both, they are cheap and should be done at least every two tire changes.

[Wayne Orwig]

Wheel bearing. it shouldn't be too hard to spot.
Change both, they are cheap and should be done at least every two tire changes.

Geez, twice a year. 

[twhitaker]

That's what my bearing looked like. I put a fresh bearing wondering if the slip fit might be a bit more than normal. Sure enough, about 100 miles later I took it apart to fix the oil leak in the final drive. Seems the failed bearing put a load on the roller bearing. The cage came apart and took out the inner seal.

I also found I had .010" clearance between the replaced wheel bearing and the bore in the wheel. Bought some Loctite and some .004" shim stock and put it back together. I check it every tire change and so far, so good.

[canuguzzi]

When it comes to shaking other than from the engine, don't forget to look at the opposite end. Often, a shaking front end is caused by something wrong at the back end.

[johnr]

Any chance it dropped a cylinder ?

  Dusty

That was my initial thought too.

[flangeman_70]

Let's work out if this driveline or engine.
Start engine, does it shake? Give some throttle, does it shake? If yes to both of these and you heard/hear grinding metal, you are in for a bad day and I am surprised you made it home If no to both of these,we are fast narrowing it down  to the driveline.
Front wheel bearing check. Take bike off stand grab a handful of front brake and push down and pull back on the bars, do you hear a clunking noise? The semifloating discs will often make a noise but if you can both hear and feel a clunk, bearings are worn.
If the drive shaft bearing and/or uni-joint are in question, roll the bike or better still, lift the rear off the ground and rotate it and listen to and feel the right side of the swing arm. If you hear and feel graunching, well you day is not so bad, but you need to get busy.

Report back