I am going to be a smart ass and say just ride it 49mph..But seriously is it a wobble or a weave?
"Wobble" Causes...
So, I keep seeing a large number of posts about the "death wobble". Having working with several other bikes, the bearings are not always the reason for the issue. I just wanted to throw in my experience on the matter to give other troubleshooting to people in case the bearings don't fix the issue.
The death wobble is caused by one thing: the wheels not being perfectly aligned with each other both vertically and horizontally. You have two gyro's with the wheels. The larger is it is even slightly off from the smaller, it will always win. So, since the rear tire/wheel is larger, heavier than the front, and is much more ridgid (being mounted to the swing arm which in turn is mounted to the frame it has no horizontal movement) it will always win the fight to go where it wants to go, hence the front wobbiling.
So, if there is anything causing the two to be out of alignment it will cause the wobble. Here are a few things I have seen and known to cause this:
- rear bushings being out will cause the wheel to move at a slightly different angle.
- the rear shocks not having even amount of preload will could cause a slight torque of the rear end.
- forks being out of alignment: the top and bottom of the tripple tree being slightly off. I am not sure if the forks in our bikes are able to have this but any info would be good.
- (on chain bikes) alignment from adjusting the chain
- Wheels not being true
- Steering bearings allowing the forks to not hold the frontend straight.
- Bent frame
- Flat spotted or bulging tires can also cause something similar but it is more of a vibration than a wobble...
And any other items that could cause the wheels to be even slightly off from each other. Less than half of a degree of angle off could cause it.
A couple of notes:
- Tire pressure can cause the issue to become more apparent.
- It can cause a tank slapper... If you want to find out what that is search for videos on youtube.
- The "death wobble"... Not really unsafe unless it escalates to a death wobble.
- It can cause uneven wear on the tires (mainly the front) usually cupping of the tire. The tread will not feel even. (Thats the best way I can put it)
If anything here is incorrect or you have anything to add let me know. I am thinking about setting up a wiki to put info like this since the stickys can only hold so much.
The death wobble is caused by one thing: the wheels not being perfectly aligned with each other both vertically and horizontally. You have two gyro's with the wheels. The larger is it is even slightly off from the smaller, it will always win. So, since the rear tire/wheel is larger, heavier than the front, and is much more ridgid (being mounted to the swing arm which in turn is mounted to the frame it has no horizontal movement) it will always win the fight to go where it wants to go, hence the front wobbiling.
So, if there is anything causing the two to be out of alignment it will cause the wobble. Here are a few things I have seen and known to cause this:
- rear bushings being out will cause the wheel to move at a slightly different angle.
- the rear shocks not having even amount of preload will could cause a slight torque of the rear end.
- forks being out of alignment: the top and bottom of the tripple tree being slightly off. I am not sure if the forks in our bikes are able to have this but any info would be good.
- (on chain bikes) alignment from adjusting the chain
- Wheels not being true
- Steering bearings allowing the forks to not hold the frontend straight.
- Bent frame
- Flat spotted or bulging tires can also cause something similar but it is more of a vibration than a wobble...
And any other items that could cause the wheels to be even slightly off from each other. Less than half of a degree of angle off could cause it.
A couple of notes:
- Tire pressure can cause the issue to become more apparent.
- It can cause a tank slapper... If you want to find out what that is search for videos on youtube.
- The "death wobble"... Not really unsafe unless it escalates to a death wobble.
- It can cause uneven wear on the tires (mainly the front) usually cupping of the tire. The tread will not feel even. (Thats the best way I can put it)
If anything here is incorrect or you have anything to add let me know. I am thinking about setting up a wiki to put info like this since the stickys can only hold so much.
41 - 52 of 52 Posts
I had a dealer do my bearings, I put on new tires and inflated to 38/40 and I changed my shock bushings to the green poly's and I still have the wobble. It's not as bad as it was before but I still have it and I figure I always will have it.
Don't trust the dealers, they may have just adjusted the cheap original bearings. Go with the AllBalls bearings and do it yourself or have some friend help you. I did it and completely got rid of the wobble. If I did it, believe me you can too:cheers:I had a dealer do my bearings, I put on new tires and inflated to 38/40 and I changed my shock bushings to the green poly's and I still have the wobble. It's not as bad as it was before but I still have it and I figure I always will have it.
Read this and give it a check..Just see what it shows for the heck of it.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/string_align_motorcycle_wheels/index.html
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/string_align_motorcycle_wheels/index.html
what bearingsI had a dealer do my bearings, I put on new tires and inflated to 38/40 and I changed my shock bushings to the green poly's and I still have the wobble. It's not as bad as it was before but I still have it and I figure I always will have it.
wheel
Stem
Swing arm
got to be more info than that.
Did you have the rims checked since you have spokes they need checked before tire is on then after tire is on
I had the neck bearings changed over to the All Balls just like everyone else. I have no reason to doubt the dealer didn't change them. I got the original bearing in my hand, that's not to say it wasn't them, but again, I have no reason to suspect they didn't change them. The old bearings looked fine except that they look like they belong on a bicycle.
The spokes were not checked when new rubber was installed.
The spokes were not checked when new rubber was installed.
Sixgun - A short while after replacing mine the wobble returned, although not as bad. I had to tighten them down a bit more due to seating or something. It's been a good while since then without any wobble.I had the neck bearings changed over to the All Balls just like everyone else. I have no reason to doubt the dealer didn't change them. I got the original bearing in my hand, that's not to say it wasn't them, but again, I have no reason to suspect they didn't change them. The old bearings looked fine except that they look like they belong on a bicycle.
The spokes were not checked when new rubber was installed.
Some have claimed that using dynabeads with their new tires has also cured wobble and uneven cupping.
I'm getting new rubber this weekend and going with the beads. Then again, I'm covering all bases and doing the bearings at the upcoming tech session.
I'm getting new rubber this weekend and going with the beads. Then again, I'm covering all bases and doing the bearings at the upcoming tech session.
Up your tire pressure to 38-40 front, add Dynabeads and All-Balls and it will ride smooth.
Doug
atriot:
Doug
atriot:
I've had a wobble problem of some sort with almost every bike I've owned. The worst was a XS 1100 Yamaha I bought used. Couldn't prove it but I think it had been rebuilt. That thing tried to take me out several times with violent tank slapping bronco jumping moves that would have taken First place in any rodeo I ever entered
I have an 03 1800rc and have a slight wobble, decel from approx 50-40.... so not always the roller bearings....Have to ask, did you have a stealer replace the bearings?? If so and you didn't specify the roller bearings used in the 1800 I bet they only tightened or replaced with the same ball bearings. Also try 40 in the front and have you replaced the shock bushings; if not with 20,000 they are totally shot and will cause wobble.
This is an 8 year old thread. If you want to bring better attention to your post, start a new thread. Wobble in 1800 bikes can still be caused by the steering stem bearings but the cause is either faulty roller bearings (rare) or inadequate torque on steering stem castle nut (more likely the cause).
41 - 52 of 52 Posts
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