Wobble!

[tkent02]

Don't replace anything, inspect everything and replace what is needed. probbly it is all a little bit loose. Adjust the steering head bearing correctly, align the rear wheel. Wheel bearings just wear out, different miles depending on dust or water. Steering bearings get ruined from improper adjustment or not enough lube. Swingarm bearings, some wear out, some last a long time. Probably depends on road surfaces, water, and rear wheel alignment.

It should all be some where in Cliff's site, it is certainly in the service manual.

[Im Faster]

Rear shocks are stock i plan on replacing them with aftermarket just havent done it yet.

and what do you mean by servicing, just repacking with grease?

[tkent02]

Rear shocks are stock i plan on replacing them with aftermarket just havent done it yet.

and what do you mean by servicing, just repacking with grease?

It's all in the manual. Clean, inspect, replace if needed, grease, adjust.
Bearings are cheap. Crashes aren't.

[mrbill5491]

It's all in the manual. Clean, inspect, replace if needed, grease, adjust.
Bearings are cheap. Crashes aren't.

Exactly....So I'm Faster, you have lots of info and have been told about the manual, no excuses, make the bike safe.

[uk gs nut]

check wheel align
ment also you may be crabing

[Kiwi Canuck]

what exactly should i replace
-wheel bearings
-swing arm bearing
- steering head bearing
anything else?

To trouble shoot the front end wobble, I would suggest you start with the steering head bearings, they may just be loose.
Put the bike on the center stand and put a jack under the engine (or piece of wood) to get the front end off the ground, check if the front end just flops from side to side.
The front end should have a small amount of resistance and should be free moving from side to side but not just banging into the steering stop when you let it go from either 11 or 1 o'clock.
This test is best done with all the cables disconnected from the handle bars but if you are careful you can simulate it without removing everything.
The correct torque for the steering stem nut that tightens it down is 26-37.5 Ft lbs.

Once you get it setup as per the manual, if it feels notchy as you turn it from side to side you will need to replace the bearings. Loose steering head bearings will wear out faster than correctly tightened ones and usually result in high speed wobbles and instability over uneven surfaces.

[Im Faster]

Thats the plan. just needed to know where to start

[Im Faster]

now that you say that, i did have Cafe kid check out the steering head bearing (he mentoined thet get like notched) and that did not appear to be the case it was smoothe turning.

[tkent02]

He may have set them a bit loose. Did he actually take it apart, clean, grease and adjust it or just check out the movement on the centerstand? They can also appear smooth on the centerstand but act notchy on the road. Probably not but it's super easy to check.

[Dogma]

To check for notchy steering bearings, I put the bike on the centerstand and weight the rear end down to lift the front wheel off the ground. Slowly push the bars toward center. If there's a notch, you will feel it with your finger, or it may fall into the notch before you push it to center.

I agree with tkent, they sound loose. There should be some drag in the bearings, but not so much you notice the bike wandering at around 30-40 mph. Trial and error is the only procedure I can recommend (until you get a feel for how much drag there should be), and it's safer to be on the tight side. If the bearings are too loose, you'll also get a shake in the steering if you let go of the bars around 30-40 mph (because your arms provided the damping the bearings should have).

[hjfisk]

My 750 has never been very steady on the highway since it was brand new in 83, it was always alittle darty. I always blamed the rake angle of the front end with the 16"wheel. Put it in the twisties though and it loves it. eats them up turns in fast .

[themess]

Also, a bike that wobbles at speed may not be safe at lower speeds on poor roads or if evasive handling is needed. Getting this fixed is more important than riding.

[GSEScraze]

To check for notchy steering bearings, I put the bike on the centerstand and weight the rear end down to lift the front wheel off the ground. Slowly push the bars toward center. If there's a notch, you will feel it with your finger, or it may fall into the notch before you push it to center.

I agree with tkent, they sound loose. There should be some drag in the bearings, but not so much you notice the bike wandering at around 30-40 mph. Trial and error is the only procedure I can recommend (until you get a feel for how much drag there should be), and it's safer to be on the tight side. If the bearings are too loose, you'll also get a shake in the steering if you let go of the bars around 30-40 mph (because your arms provided the damping the bearings should have).

what if you get a real bad shake like the bars are trying to beat the tank to death around 30-40 and lesser at say 60-70 if you let go of the bars or just get real lite on them ? like the OP I just put new tires on it had them balanced and checked to see they seated all the way around checked the weal bearings were good bike only has 8,000 miles on it but sat out side a lot

[Dogma]

what if you get a real bad shake like the bars are trying to beat the tank to death around 30-40 and lesser at say 60-70 if you let go of the bars or just get real lite on them ? like the OP I just put new tires on it had them balanced and checked to see they seated all the way around checked the weal bearings were good bike only has 8,000 miles on it but sat out side a lot

That does sound like when mine were too loose. I didn't try it at higher speed until it was stable at low speed. Assuming everything else is correct, I'd be looking to tighten the steering bearings.

[bonanzadave]

I'd be looking to tighten the steering bearings.

Yep. Try that first. Understand, as you tighten the big nut you are drawing the top and bottom fork trees closer together. In order to do that one set of fork tree bolts must be loose. loosen the bottom set as the top set is what sets the fork height.



Of coarse, I may be talkin out my arse . My Bike has a High speed weave (100+) and gets loose in fast (80+) corners. Not a head shake but more like a wallow that wants to turn tank slapper. I have tried and changed everything mentioned in this thread and more. Still wobbles !