Another data point for what it's worth:
Today was the first day I got to go for a really long ride. I did mostly country highways from 50-75mph and some straight highway at the same speeds, up to 80 once. Loose and tight turns in the country. The bike is stable at all speeds. Over 50 on a straight I can wiggle the bars and the bike will oscillate a few times but settles quickly. It oscillates a little longer at higher speeds. Once in a while over 50 on a straight I'll get the slightest hint of an oscillation in the bars, so small it's really hard to notice. It goes away if I change my lane position.
Just being curious, I broke loose one of the bolts on the rear fender strut to see if it was spring loaded, the lower left one near the passenger peg. It moved maybe 1/8", not enough to act like a spring and torque the frame.
I also too off the pillion, no difference in handling.
Scott
Thanks scotty, good info there maybe some more conformation. If there's any tention in those fender stays, you should see it when you loosen the fender mounting scews, on the stay, not so much by by loosening one of the bolts at the frame, remember, the other three bolts on the frame are still holding most, if any, of the tension back. Loosening the 4 fender mount screws, is the real tell all. An 1/8" ain't much at one bolt, but does show some tension,is it an inch on the other end? hopefully not. That fender should sit in there with neutral tension. But if your bike seems to be handling fine, I would not sweat it. LISTEN, THIS IS ONLY THE EXPIERIENCE THAT I'M HAVING WITH MY BIKE! I DO NOT THINK EVERYONE SHOULD START TEARING THERE REAR ENDS OFF TO HAVE A LOOK!
IF YOUR HAVING AN ISSUE,TAKE IT TO YOUR DEALER OR A MECHANIC! YOU COULD SCREW SOMETHING UP AND GET HURT!
Scotty I'll take some more carfull measurements on the frame, especially around the shock towers, when I get back into it.Hopefully tonight. I am a Little concerned about just how much tension there was, and the possibility a distortion or tearing, steel tends to rip or bend and not crack. When my left fender stay is put in the correct position, like when the fender was in place, the whole left side of the frame bows out a bit.
Dan.