What could be causing my wobbly front end?

[cantstopcrosby]

not sure if more ram ramming might be the answer, but she still might not be so straight up front

but I wanted to add this - my GS was doing the same wobble, but stopped doing that when I had occasion to change the swingarm to one with tighter bushings and/or less bent in that part, now she tracks true hands free

[Steve]

Several things can cause a 'wobbly' front end. Many of them have been mentioned, but I will summarize:

Loose/worn wheel bearings (front or rear wheel)
Mis-adjusted forks (could be uneven tube height, spring tension or oil level)
Mis-adjusted steering bearing (loose will tend to wobble, tight will tend to wander)
And the most surpsing source: Loose swing arm bearings/bushings

Yep, if the swing arm isn't held perfectly straight all the time, it will feel like a hinge in the middle of the bike because, ... well ... it is a hinge in the middle.

.

[850 Combat]

That paint job is very becomming on that bike. It really enhances the styling, in my opinion.

[1980GS1000E]

One time I had an RD that pulled to one side while braking. It turned out to be a loose front axle.

[Colin Green]

not sure if more ram ramming might be the answer, but she still might not be so straight up front

but I wanted to add this - my GS was doing the same wobble, but stopped doing that when I had occasion to change the swingarm to one with tighter bushings and/or less bent in that part, now she tracks true hands free

Cheers 'cantstopcrosby' I will definitely check out my swingarm (and need to look at upgrading my shocks)

Several things can cause a 'wobbly' front end. Many of them have been mentioned, but I will summarize:

Loose/worn wheel bearings (front or rear wheel)
Mis-adjusted forks (could be uneven tube height, spring tension or oil level)
Mis-adjusted steering bearing (loose will tend to wobble, tight will tend to wander)
And the most surpsing source: Loose swing arm bearings/bushings

Yep, if the swing arm isn't held perfectly straight all the time, it will feel like a hinge in the middle of the bike because, ... well ... it is a hinge in the middle.

.

Thanks Steve. That is Gold.. especially the wobble/wandering analysis to steering bearing tightness. I just managed to tighten the bearing a bit and that has almost eliminated the bounce back from the lock but has pronounced the notchy feel considerably (definite new bearings) it has also (i think) eliminated the wobble (have to watch for the wandering)

That paint job is very becomming on that bike. It really enhances the styling, in my opinion.

Thanks. It's beautiful.. the best factory colours for this bike fer sure

One time I had an RD that pulled to one side while braking. It turned out to be a loose front axle.

Cheers.. another one to watch for

[KiwiGS]

This is a bit late, as it seems you may have sorted the issue.
But FWIW my work hack H***a used to have head shake on the open road.
I found two problems.
1: A too wide tyre on the back.
2: The small fairing was not straight.

Tyre made a huge difference, the fairing not so much.

Bike looks mint by the way

Cheers

[Colin Green]

This is a bit late, as it seems you may have sorted the issue.
But FWIW my work hack H***a used to have head shake on the open road.
I found two problems.
1: A too wide tyre on the back.
2: The small fairing was not straight.

Tyre made a huge difference, the fairing not so much.

Bike looks mint by the way

Cheers

Why thank you Mr Kiwi GS. it does look sweet from a distance