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    #1

    Wiggly wheel

    Hi,
    What is the dead give away that the wheel bearing are toast? Or are there a number of little hints telling one not to ride until this is fixed?
    I know the title of this is wiggly wheel, but it isn't that wiggly normally. Two times yesterday I had some wobble. The first time was over a section of pavement that was being resurfaced and freshly milled. Milled roadways are not smooth and have huge pot holes, bumps, vallys, antitank barriers and other such impairments to driving. So, I said to myself, 'self this could be the cause of the wobble.' The bike wobbled wiggled and shook to the point where I had the moment to reflect that I had really enjoyed lunch, because it may have been my last meal. The road smoothed out the terrible handling went away.
    The wobble/wiggle returned last night as I was turning into work. I had to slow down almost to a stop and as I turned into the driveway of the hospital the entire bike shook. As soon as the bike was in line again no wobble.
    I see two solutions, 1), Never turn. Number B stay off poorly surfaced roads. However, I think there maybe the wheel bearings maybe bad, the front tire needs replaced, bad bearings in the head gear, or there might be a lose nut behind the handlebars.
    Thanks for the help,
    Bill
    Tags: None
    #2
    Could be any of the things you mentioned plus swinging arm bearings or the pattern on the tyres, tyre pressure etc. Could be the road.

    To check your bearings pop the bike on the centre stand , grab the wheel at 12 and 6 O'clock and see if there is any movement as you try and rock it at 90 degrees to its rotation. Plus spin the wheel and see if you can hear anything in the bearings
    79 GS1000S
    79 GS1000S (another one)
    80 GSX750
    80 GS550
    80 CB650 cafe racer
    75 PC50 - the one with OHV and pedals...
    75 TS100 - being ridden (suicidally) by my father

    Comment

      #3
      If you can grab the outside edge of the tire and rock it side to side at all, wheel bearings=GONE. also get the front wheel off the ground and check your steerin bearings are smooth and tight, as well as the swingarm bearings. any play or notchy feeling in the steering=new bearing time.

      Comment

        #4
        I can't comment on wheel bearings, but I knew my swingarm bearings needed to be replaced by going around corners and feeling like there was a hinge in the middle of the bike. Popped it on the centre stand and the swingarm moved left to right independent of the rest of the bike about 2mm's each way
        1982 GS450E - The Wee Beastie
        1984 GSX750S Katana 7/11 - Kit Kat - BOTM May 2020

        sigpic

        450 Refresh thread: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...-GS450-Refresh

        Katana 7/11 thread: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...84-Katana-7-11

        Comment

          #5
          The Rack

          I had the chance to lock her on the torture rack, aka the lift, and pulled and turned, wiggled and wobbled but all the parts seem tight. No noise out of the steering bearing and the wheel bearings are good as well. PSI in the tire was 50lbs so that is on track too. Leave two options, the road was really bad, or the lose nut at the end of the handlebars is at it again.
          Thanks for your advice,
          Bill

          Comment

            #6
            50 pounds? that number for tire pressure sounds a good bit high, and likely contributes to the issue. try 34.

            Comment

              #7
              I hate to bump such an old thread, but I guess it beats starting a new one.


              I too am having issues with a wiggly rear wheel. I originally thought it was caused by low tire pressure when I first purchased the bike. I was low, but I put it back to ~35-40 psi, and still had the issue.

              Got new tires, and it got better, but I got on the freeway for the first time and thought I was about to die.


              Freeways around here are grooved, and at 60mph I could barely hang on. I got off on the next exit. I know bikes will get moved around by the grooves, but this feels like something more severe.
              I have gotten up to 60 on non grooved roads and been fine, so I dont think its speed related.


              My question is this, should there really be zero play in the wheel and swing arm? Because I can move both a bit, not much, but enough, which Im thinking is whats causing my wobble.

              Comment

                #8
                There should be zero play. Have a buddy put his finger on the chain as you wiggle the rear wheel. If there is play you can feel the chain tighten/loosen. My swingarm bearings seized and wore down the spacer that rides inside the bearing. There was very little wiggle but a huge improvement with new bearings and spacers.
                .

                Comment

                  #9
                  50 psi is way to high . Try 34 front and 38 back .

                  Cheers , Simon .
                  http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...esMapSimon.jpg

                  '79 GS1000S my daily ride in Aus

                  '82 (x2) GS650ET in the shed

                  Comment

                    #10
                    OK screw the PSI and the road test,

                    DO the good old wobble test on your bike's wheel.
                    If it wobbles in a static position then it is a bearing or an axle worn

                    All the other scenarios mentioned require the bike to be moving and all the suspension bits to be a part of the problem

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