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Post by scout4924 on May 23, 2012 21:53:09 GMT -5
The bike is a 77 standard w/ 3" extended swingarm running 250 savage shocks. Sorry no pic. Its not crazy low but it does put less weight on the forks than standard.
I'm getting front end wobble when I hit a bump or bumps when riding with one hand. Not even a hint of it when holding on with both hand.
I'll say it first....... Use both hands.
I'm also running a strong fork brace. The neck has stock bearings cleaned up and less than 9K on them. Is this "normal"?
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Post by preston on May 24, 2012 7:07:01 GMT -5
no, it is not normal.
Does front tire have a bad spot,? is tire is out of balance ? ,, is front tire worn with cups ?
If your head bearings that "are stock", and are the round little bb size-ball bearings .... then, discard them, and replace with the wheel bearing type design roller bearing and race,,, (unless you like the shimmy effect, then leave them in ) and then after 200 mile break in of new head bearings, check the free play, again to be sure they are tight and snug...
(also, on the rear swing arm, bike jacked up at motor, is there any movement, left to right on the swing-arm, if so, replace those shims with correct new ones .... needle bearings or brass type sleeve...
Preston
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Post by xsleo on May 30, 2012 11:16:59 GMT -5
Preston has it right. Check the neck bearings for wear proper adjustment.
Check Swing arm bushings for wear and proper adjustment.
I'll ad check your wheel bearings for wear.
On all these replace with new if worn.
On the tires it can be both tires, not just the front. If they are old, worn or out of balance it can cause your wobble.
Tire should not be more than about 5 years old.
The DOT number tells the week and year of manufacture.
Leo
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Post by tomterrific on Jun 1, 2012 10:38:40 GMT -5
Do you have saddle bags or any weight on the back? Is the riding position stock? You mention LESS weight on the front, what do you mean? There are a variety of reasons for wobbles. Tire type, alignment, bearings, weight, fork angle, ...
With just the install of saddle bags, not even full, my '77 XS will have a harmonic bar wobble at about 45 mph with my hands off the bars. A mere touch on the bars is enough to damp the wobble. Remove the bags, no disconcerting hands off bar wobble. The bags weigh almost nothing. I've done 100 mph with the bags so this isn't a tank slapper by any means. This shows me how sensitive motorcycle design really is.
Another thought, do you have the front wheel installed correctly?
Tom
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jun 2, 2012 21:05:56 GMT -5
Scout -
Even on a low mileage bike, those little ball-bearings that hold your steering head will develop a favorite spot. They don't rotate much, and always come back to the same place, so that tiny spot wears in, and you'll notice a tiny "clunk" when you slowly turn your bars. That's enough to mess up your steering. A high mileage bike will probably actually have less problem, since the balls DO move and aren't always in the same place - but on a bike that's been sitting a while - the balls and race will rust a little and make it worse (like mine had). Get some tapered bearings (Mike's and a bunch of others have them), and the problem is gone - permanently - since the tapered bearings have much more area to spread out the load.
Wheel bearings can also be a cause - and the notorious plastic swing-arm bushings. Replace them - even if they don't move by hand - they squash and deform when you ride and (literally) you have a hinge in the middle of your bike. Bronze or needle-bearing setups are MUCH better and won't wear out for a LOT of years. (I actually found my needle-bearing ones on Flea-Bay for less than bronze ones!)
Wheels and tires can be a huge problem, too - make sure your spokes are tight, and that your wheels are true - there should be no wobble more than 2mm from side to side or out of round. Make sure your tires are in decent shape, and that they are balanced, too (I have Dyna-beads in mine and I think they are great).
I hadn't thought of Tom's idea, but it does make sense. These things already vibrate, and just a little change can make a lot of difference......
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Post by xsleo on Jun 5, 2012 20:22:33 GMT -5
With the extended swing arm you are putting more weight on the front, not less. By moving the rear wheel back 3 inches you moved the center of gravity forward 3 inches.
Leo
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