How to improve the stability of Touring Harley-Davidson models, eliminating "wobble"

We are going to talk about the evolution in the chassis of the Harley-Davidson Touring models (Road King, Electra Glide, Tour Glide ...). In the first models it was common to hear complaints from certain sectors of users of these models related to stability problems at high speeds, especially in fast curves.
As on other occasions, this "problem" is initially declared as a characteristic, aggravated by a lack of knowledge in the vehicle alignment process in maintenance workshops, later "experiments" are carried out at the user level and in the aftermarket industry. , until HD takes the final step and corrects the problem with an impressive update to the chassis of these models in 2009.

A little history
The origin of this instability at high speeds (“wobbling” or lateral rocking of the motorcycle) is due to the fact that a chassis design that dates from practically the '80s has been used and that perfectly fulfilled its work with the latest Shovelhead engines from 5 speeds and its successors the Evolution engines.
When the Twin Cam engines arrived in 1999 with their higher torque and power, the need to also update the chassis to the new times was evident.
While the Motor Company was outlining this change, various solutions were already being offered on the street and in the auxiliary industry, which included installing larger diameter wheels and stiffening the rigidity of the engine-swingarm-rear wheel assembly with respect to the chassis-fork assembly- front wheel. It is essential to understand that in these models these 2 sets are semi-elastically joined by tensioners and silentblocks.

New chassis
The main novelty in the 2009 Touring models was their new chassis, designed and built with the latest technologies of the 21st century and that practically eliminated the previous stability problems.
This chassis has fewer weld points, which make it more precise, thus dispensing with the engine-chassis alignment that was common to date and quite uncomfortable for many non-trained mechanics.

The engine anchors are improved and the swingarm is replaced by a multi-section, providing a rigidity never seen before in these models. Following the popular trend, larger diameter wheels were installed that contributed to improving stability at high speed.

Stabilization kits
For models prior to 2009 that require it (actually also for models up to the present time) there are on the market various kits that will help us to minimize this problem by providing greater rigidity to the set that greatly improves the line on the road.
A wide variety of accessories are made for this purpose, but basically all are based on creating a more rigid connection between the transmission and the swingarm axle.

It is vitally important to point out that all this is useless without a correct alignment of the vehicle, so before its installation we recommend you take your workshop manual and check step by step that everything is in order, or failing that, take the motorcycle to a trusted workshop where we adjust the alignment with specific tool.

For this technical tutorial we have chosen a Progressive Suspension kit, specifically its Touring Link Stabilizer,
that we liked for its simplicity of installation, and also does not reduce free ground clearance.

Let's do it
The components of this kit consist of a side plate that replaces the right swingarm bracket, a reinforcement for the lower part of the gearbox and an adjustable tie rod.

Installation is truly simple, once the HD manual alignment process is done correctly.
You start by replacing the swingarm support plate with the one that comes in the kit.

If the model is after 2002, take care to insert the tab provided.

The angle is then mounted under the gearbox and everything is tightened to the tightening torques specified in the workshop manual.

The strap is installed and its length is adjusted so that it is not forced, and the passenger footrest and exhaust are reassembled if we had removed it (not always necessary) to have access to the support.

Road test
Now comes the funniest part, after checking the correct tire pressure (fundamental) and putting on the helmet we can go out to take wide and fast curves to check the improvement in dynamic performance of our machine, we will see how it is not always necessary to add more chrome, there are things that are not seen but that make us enjoy the route more.

Frank burguera

#mecanicaharley