gs1150ef wants to speed wobble usually at less than 25 MPH

[vapourman]

My 1150 lately wants to go into a quick head shake at lower speeds lately. I have never felt it at higher speeds but wonder what has changed to make it do this. Tires are about 70 percent good, nothing else has changed....???? :?:

 

[IanFrancisco]

Possibly tire balance, but that wouldn't happen at slow speeds and not faster speeds, or possibly the steering stem bearings have gotten loose.

 

[DaveDanger]

Check for looseness at the "gooseneck" bearings, and also for looseness at the wheel bearings as well. Check to make sure that the axle itself (front & rear) is torqued correctly and doesn't have excess side play between the fork bosses and the spacers between the bearings and forks. Any looseness in any of these locations will contribute to a speed wobble, or even cause one to "hunt" in rain grooves. My personal experience is that the more a tire is worn, the less it tends to hunt in highway grooves. For whatever reason, the deeper tread seems to be more prone to follow grooving. The tendency to wobble or hunt seems to always be more pronounced due to front end looseness, but the rear can cause it to a leser extent.

 

[Nerobro]

What are the state of the tires? I've seen headshake from a "squared" front tire. And a square back tire doesn't help the situation.

 

[rosco15]

Make sure the rear tire is lined up as well. I've heard that can cause head shake.

 

[yak]

i have an 84 1150 that will nose shake u into a crash if u,r not careful let go of the bars to coast down or cross hand the gas better be ready both or one hand on the bars no shake tires look (me33) my buddy has a 85 was doing same thing tires lookd good replaced tire (front) shake gone my 81 1100e did the same shake with a wore me33 any tire suggestion it was,nt as bad maybe the 19 wheel made it feel less

 

[skip]

all good answers above and ill add one more. Check your tires for bad belts. I just purchased a brand new pair of tires that did the same thing.I had them re-balanced twice and finaly talked the dealer into replacing them. Turned out the front had two belts that were broken! The tire only had 500 miles on it .

 

[LW_Icarus]

normally tire balance doesnt come into play at low speed but skips suggestion of a slipped belt would be at a low speed. balance, unless really off alot doesnt start to show til about 45 mph.

loose headtube bearings are possible but not likely at that slow speed either. low tire pressure might do it, unequally filled fork legs, or loose swingarm bearing could do it as well.

my 850 is rock solid at any speed, I always give em a shake test every once in a while to make sure its all stable, I have experienced a tankslapper at high speed from the riders seat and also watched a friend go through one while riding behind him, I fix anything that might cause one first - off, now.

if a new tire fixes it, Id still look the forks over and service em, a little bounce in a tire shouldnt affect a properly working damper that badly, could be a combination of the two together, and a round tire will only temporarily fix it. the old front tire on my bike was pretty squared when I got it, and still no headshake. definitely removed some bounce when I replaced the tires though.

 

[Clone]

I had a little wobble when decellerating and braking usually below 50Km/h, and I tracked it down to the swing arm bearings being worn. Put your bike on the centerstand and try to move the rear wheel back and forth. I bet you will find the culprit.

 

[vapourman]

there is no play in the rear swingarm or the steering head. With the front wheel off the ground there is a tiny amount of front to back play on the shocks. None side to side. Has anyone seen this caused by sticking calipers? If one side of the disc brakes stick a bit more than the other can this cause a wobble?

 

[LW_Icarus]

negative on the brake induced wobble, many bikes only have one brake, and if that drag could cause it then braking would wreck ya for sure.
when ya spin the wheel does it show any side to side or up and down movement at the tire? any signs of fork oil leakage on either tube? that for and aft play shouldnt be there, possibly the fork bushings worn out?

 

[vapourman]

yep, I am thinking that the front forks need work. Is there a kit to rebuild or do you have to order all kinds of bits and pieces?