I was riding home yesterday from work and lifted my left arm to give the hand signal I was turning and suddenly the front end started wobbling. That's the only word I can think of to describe it. I was going around 45 mph - slowed down, made my turn and it did it again around 40 mph.
Any ideas on what this could be?
Quote from: Indonlire on July 21, 2011, 07:54:02 AM
I was riding home yesterday from work and lifted my left arm to give the hand signal I was turning and suddenly the front end started wobbling. That's the only word I can think of to describe it. I was going around 45 mph - slowed down, made my turn and it did it again around 40 mph.
Any ideas on what this could be?
Front bearings.. (see if there is any side to side movement if you push/pull on opposite sides of the tire (hands at top/bottom)
Tire Balance is off
A bad spot in the tire
I would guess you have either an older tire or one with quite a few miles on it, is that true?
+1 on the Tire check your pressure also
Add steering head bearings to the list to.
You guys are amazing! :D :P :lol:
There is no movement when I push or pull on the tire.
The front tire has close to 10k miles on it. I was thinking about replacing it this winter when my riding season stops for a few months. The tread in the middle is what I would consider fair while immediately on the sides tread is low and further out tread is really good. Yes, I know this means I just lean it a little :)
Both tires had low air pressure. I just aired them both up. Allen you are the man! :cool:
Wheel bearings, steering head bearings - since the bike is 17 years old and has just turned 20,000 miles, should these be a winter project while not riding?
So I'll ride it to work today and see what happens. I'll let you know.
Quote from: Indonlire on July 21, 2011, 09:16:36 AM
Both tires had low air pressure. I just aired them both up.
A good reminder for all of us to check our air pressure.
Glad it was that simple.
I am most afraid of steering head bearings, which should never go bad -- but if they get "sticky", it can cause the basic stability of the bike, which derives from rake and trail, to vanish, resulting in a vicious oscillation. Almost no way to avoid a crash.
Sooo... every time I have the front tire off the ground, I check the operation of these bearings to make sure they are smooth, have no "rough spots", are silent, etc. I put my hand on the outside of the frame over the bearings and feel, as well.
Paranoid? You bet I am, at least on this point.
Quote from: lragan on July 21, 2011, 12:51:10 PM
Paranoid? You bet I am, at least on this point.
I'm not paranoid, but it doesn't mean that I don't think "They" are not out to get me. :shock:
So on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst. Yesterday was a 10.
Today same road same speed - it was a 2. I could still feel and see some wobble - but was it just me being paranoid? Was it really happening?
I didn't feel or see anything on the way to work, just that strip on the way home. I'll try again tomorrow and see what happens.
I'm betting on steering head bearings, but they may not need replacing, might just need setting to the proper tightness. Sometimes, over time, they can loosen a little with normal wear. I wouldn't panic just yet.
I run a dunlop on the front, on my 3rd one since getting the magna, every time it gets close to needing replacing i get that wobble as well around 40ish as well.
Seen SEVERAL times that a "looks good front tire" causing these symptoms. Just a thought.
Quote from: Indonlire on July 21, 2011, 08:50:41 PM
So on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst. Yesterday was a 10.
Today same road same speed - it was a 2. I could still feel and see some wobble - but was it just me being paranoid? Was it really happening?
I didn't feel or see anything on the way to work, just that strip on the way home. I'll try again tomorrow and see what happens.
My '95 is doing the same thing on K555s. It is getting worse with mileage. I suspect head bearings, and it is going into the shop just as soon as the VFR's service is done. (I don't have the time or facilities to mess with this myself.
As Lawrence pointed out, it can break into an uncontrolled oscillation that will have the bike's kinetic energy available to power it and can break your arms and
then crash. It is not something to put off as a winter project.
I've had a few instance of front end wobble recently myself. Can dyna bead cause this?
Did you let go of the handlebars?
How worn is your front tire?
Nope, didn't let go of handlebars, although I have done this often enough last year. I have nearly 6K miles on this dunlap tire and see only some slight cupping. A friend came over, jacked it up, and pulled up on the front tire to check the bearings. Seemed fine, but thinks my forks my be dry. I'm going to change and replace fork oil this morning.
Normally there is no issue with the front end wobbling. Might check the balance of the front tire but I think it would have to be way out for any noticeable shake.
I'm going to buy a new front tire. Has anyone ever tried a skinnier front tire on their magna? My current tire is a dunlp k555 120-80-17, but I think I might try a 110-80-117.
Yes I have used a 110. You should have no problem with it and I would almost bet a new tire will cure your front end wobble.
I'm gonna try the 110. Hope it cures the front end wobble too.
Quote from: patty2sage on July 05, 2015, 09:04:10 PM
I'm gonna try the 110. Hope it cures the front end wobble too.
So did the new tire solve your problems?
I've had a front end wobble twice (only in corners)..
Both times I had a worn Avon Venom tire...
Changed the rear tire, Wobble went away..
Same here as I have had front end wobble twice and each time it was toward the end of life of the front tire. I changed the tire and presto, no more wobble.
Mike
My 94 Magna had 34,000 miles on it when I noticed I had the same problem decreasing speed from 45 to 40 mph with hands just off the grips. It was just after balancing and installing new Metzler tires. I replaced the steering head and wheel bearings and the problem went away.
Quote from: patty2sage on July 05, 2015, 09:04:10 PM
I'm gonna try the 110. Hope it cures the front end wobble too.
I suggest going to a 110/90 instead of the 110/80. The 80 will be significantly smaller in diameter, which will steepen the fork angle. The 90 will be slightly larger diameter, which as the tire wears, will come back closer to the stock height.
I say this because I once put on a 110/80, which was all that was available when I needed to replace it on a trip. In turns it always felt as though the front was on the verge of "tucking under". I couldn't wait for that tire to wear out so I could replace it.
Quote from: Magniac on September 13, 2015, 10:55:12 AM
Quote from: patty2sage on July 05, 2015, 09:04:10 PM
I'm gonna try the 110. Hope it cures the front end wobble too.
I suggest going to a 110/90 instead of the 110/80. The 80 will be significantly smaller in diameter, which will steepen the fork angle. The 90 will be slightly larger diameter, which as the tire wears, will come back closer to the stock height.
I say this because I once put on a 110/80, which was all that was available when I needed to replace it on a trip. In turns it always felt as though the front was on the verge of "tucking under". I couldn't wait for that tire to wear out so I could replace it.
2ND 120/70/17 Michelin Pilot 3/4 on the front.. LOVE IT!!! GREAT Tire.. Wish they made one in an 80.. Throws my Speedo off.. BUT
worth it.