Front End Wobble

[huntb]

Don't forget to check and service the swing arm bearings while you are at it. Another spot that isn't to well maintained.

Is there a way to test the bearings without taking the whole thing apart?

[posplayr]

Is there a way to test the bearings without taking the whole thing apart?

No special tools except perhaps a fish scale. If the bearings are dry, rusted, pitted then you are probably in trouble and in need of replacement. You need to pull it apparat far enough to get new grease into the upper and lower bearings. If there is any notchiness the replace. You need the bearing tight enough so the wheel will not flop. The GSXR manuals use the fish scale to measure about 5 lbs pull on the clip on to turn the wheel so that gives and idea.
a low speed wobble at about 30-40 mph when hands are removed is most likely a loose head set bearing.

[barnbiketom]

didn't the "WOBBLE" start only after the tire replacement? if so I i'll question the balance of the tires. easy to check. tear off wheels, put axles into them and place on jackstand... if one or both wheels seems to be in need of balance,OR HAS RUN OUT?? RUN back to where you got the tires and make them re-do the balances to see if there is a heavy spot.

[huntb]

didn't the "WOBBLE" start only after the tire replacement? if so I i'll question the balance of the tires. easy to check. tear off wheels, put axles into them and place on jackstand... if one or both wheels seems to be in need of balance,OR HAS RUN OUT?? RUN back to where you got the tires and make them re-do the balances to see if there is a heavy spot.

The wobble actually started a few weeks after the new tires were installed. The weights are still there too, but good call on the jack stands idea, I'll have to give that a try

[mrbill5491]

Is there a way to test the bearings without taking the whole thing apart?

Yeah, try side to side and forward and back, though I would just take them apart and inspect the races as well. I checked some swing arm bearings that way once and it felt fine, no movement. We decided to go ahead and pull it all down, what a surprise we got. It was junk inside, no grease, water damage, rust, races were marred to the point it was about to freeze up, that explained why we didn't get any movement. Do it the right way the first time.

[mrbill5491]

Could be a out of round tire?

[posplayr]

Is there a way to test the bearings without taking the whole thing apart?

I know doing this every 35 years seems like over kill, but it is usually for the best. You can be pretty confident if it has never been greased it needs it.

[huntb]

OK guys, bringing this thread back from the dead... So I pulled off the front wheel to check it on jack stands - still can see a wobble. Tested the axle by rolling it on a flat surface and I could hear a distinct clunk - clunk - clunk... so I replaced with a straight axle. While I had the wheel off I also replaced the wheel bearings. Put it back on the jack stands and lo and behold - still wobbles but I don't hear the distinct noise every revolution like I used to. So I figured it was the rim and replaced that. Had the new tire from the "bent" rim put on and brought it home. STILL WOBBLES. These tires are practically brand new. Can someone tell me if this sounds right (bad tire) and how big of an issue it is?

[chuck hahn]

So the tire wobbles off the bike and the axle is suspended between jack stands...is this correct??? If it wobbles side to side like that then I would suspect wheel bearings very strongly. Put your pinky in the hole and roll the bearings around. You should feel absolutely NO notchy spots or feel and areas of resistance. I would also be suspect of the seata on the rim the bearings fit into.

Other than those 2 things I cant think of anything else that would be problematic.

[huntb]

Chuck, I suspected wheel bearings too but I replaced them. I then purchased a new "used" rim and put new bearings in and it has the identical wobble back and forth. Logic tells me it can only be the tire

[cowboyup3371]

Have someone recheck the balance; I had a similar problem to my rear tire that only a rebalance by a different shop cured.

[huntb]

Could out of balance make the wheel not spin straight even at low speeds? It does it when I have it on the axle on jack stands and just spin it by hand

[mrbill5491]

Rim is straight, axle is straight, new wheel bearings, leaves the tire, could be a badly out of round tire. Have the balance redone and see what the end result is.

[cowboyup3371]

I noticed mine was out of balance sitting on the center stand with the rear wheel off the ground idling; I just confirmed it by twisting the throttle

[huntb]

The thing that makes me so concerned is that the tire moves axially when spun. I'll have to find an indicator to run along the lip of the rim. It would blow my mind if both of these rims were bent exactly the same