High Speed Front End Wobble
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Joelton, TN
Ok guys, been a while on this one so here goes. Two BRAND NEW Dunlop Elite 3 front and back. Checked wheel bearings-great shape. Checked front fork fallout-exactly as service manual describes. Torqued Head nut as in book and greased neck bearings. Air pressure exact. On way home last night running about 80 it went into the scariest wobble ever. I let out and it stopped as soon as I rolled the throttle again it started all over. Got off the exit and ran 40 all the way home just fine. Checked EVERYTHING again last night. On the way to work this morning at 70 did it again. Bike has never been wrecked. I also checked wheel alignment and it seems dead on. Here is the kicker-put my wife on the back (140 lbs) and it does not do it. Can run 80 all day long with her back there and no problems. The ONLY thing I can come up with is the rear swingarm bearings are shot. Any ideas? I am going to take it to the indy tomorrow and drop it off. He allready said he doesn't think its the swingarm but there is NOTHING else it could be. Any help is appreciated. I am this close () to trading it. Thanks.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Lake Stevens Washington
The things to check are;
Neck bearings could be bad, happened to my buddy.
Rear swingarm bushings, again same bike, same buddy.
Rims if wires, check the lacing to make sure they are tight and check to make sure balance is good.
Hope you find it, be safe.
Neck bearings could be bad, happened to my buddy.
Rear swingarm bushings, again same bike, same buddy.
Rims if wires, check the lacing to make sure they are tight and check to make sure balance is good.
Hope you find it, be safe.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 572
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Worth, Texas
Ok guys, been a while on this one so here goes. Two BRAND NEW Dunlop Elite 3 front and back. Checked wheel bearings-great shape. Checked front fork fallout-exactly as service manual describes. Torqued Head nut as in book and greased neck bearings. Air pressure exact. On way home last night running about 80 it went into the scariest wobble ever. I let out and it stopped as soon as I rolled the throttle again it started all over. Got off the exit and ran 40 all the way home just fine. Checked EVERYTHING again last night. On the way to work this morning at 70 did it again. Bike has never been wrecked. I also checked wheel alignment and it seems dead on. Here is the kicker-put my wife on the back (140 lbs) and it does not do it. Can run 80 all day long with her back there and no problems. The ONLY thing I can come up with is the rear swingarm bearings are shot. Any ideas? I am going to take it to the indy tomorrow and drop it off. He allready said he doesn't think its the swingarm but there is NOTHING else it could be. Any help is appreciated. I am this close () to trading it. Thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 572
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Worth, Texas
I would have the shop that installed the tire to put a new one on and re-balance it. just my thought since it never did it before the new tire was put on
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Hey E-glide,that's interesting. I just put a set of E3's on my bike. Got up to 85 and got a wobble. Nothing life threatening but it made me slow down. After a few hundred miles it seems to be O.K. now. Doesn't make sense?
Before the E3's I could do 95-100 on the same stretch of road no problem.
Before the E3's I could do 95-100 on the same stretch of road no problem.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 572
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Worth, Texas
Hey E-glide,that's interesting. I just put a set of E3's on my bike. Got up to 85 and got a wobble. Nothing life threatening but it made me slow down. After a few hundred miles it seems to be O.K. now. Doesn't make sense?
Before the E3's I could do 95-100 on the same stretch of road no problem.
Before the E3's I could do 95-100 on the same stretch of road no problem.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 12
From: Middle Tennessee
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Ate it in a turn
I have (had) an '07 SG. I've put just over 20k on it. I just put new Avons and aluminum wheels on it Sept. 10th. A couple of buddies and myself were headed on a little cruise for a coldy on Sept 20th.
I hit a long sweeping 90 degree turn at about 70. As I checked up, I got a bad head shake. I almost made it out of the turn, but ran out of asphalt just as I hit the straight. As soon as I hit the shoulder, which was soft dirt, the handlebars snapped left. I figured I had slowed to about 50 at this point but not sure. Everything went black and I woke up on my back in extreme pain and no air in my lungs. The SG did an Endo, but landed mostly on its left rear side and ended up facing the wrong direction. I was thrown completely over the scoot, landing about 10 feet past it. Judging by the pics, it looks like the bike went about 30 feet after impact. Luckily it didn't land on me. I suffered 2 broken ribs, some minor road rash and a bruised larynx. VERY lucky. Especially considering what I was wearing, which consisted of way too much confidence, tennis shoes, shorts and a cutoff t-shirt. Lesson learned on the riding gear. No clue what caused the wobble. Have been on much tighter turns with no problems. State Farm is still working the numbers. Hopefully it will be totalled so I can get a new one.
Yes, I already know I'm an idiot for my lack of gear, but I'm sure you guys will lecture me anyway. I'm ready.
Here's the pics for your viewing pleasure and confirmation of my stupidity:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=1510899
My Buddy wasn't so lucky. Broken collar bone and ankle. Stitches in his forehead and hand. Destroyed '03 Lowrider.
I hit a long sweeping 90 degree turn at about 70. As I checked up, I got a bad head shake. I almost made it out of the turn, but ran out of asphalt just as I hit the straight. As soon as I hit the shoulder, which was soft dirt, the handlebars snapped left. I figured I had slowed to about 50 at this point but not sure. Everything went black and I woke up on my back in extreme pain and no air in my lungs. The SG did an Endo, but landed mostly on its left rear side and ended up facing the wrong direction. I was thrown completely over the scoot, landing about 10 feet past it. Judging by the pics, it looks like the bike went about 30 feet after impact. Luckily it didn't land on me. I suffered 2 broken ribs, some minor road rash and a bruised larynx. VERY lucky. Especially considering what I was wearing, which consisted of way too much confidence, tennis shoes, shorts and a cutoff t-shirt. Lesson learned on the riding gear. No clue what caused the wobble. Have been on much tighter turns with no problems. State Farm is still working the numbers. Hopefully it will be totalled so I can get a new one.
Yes, I already know I'm an idiot for my lack of gear, but I'm sure you guys will lecture me anyway. I'm ready.
Here's the pics for your viewing pleasure and confirmation of my stupidity:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=1510899
My Buddy wasn't so lucky. Broken collar bone and ankle. Stitches in his forehead and hand. Destroyed '03 Lowrider.
Last edited by Dubble D; Sep 30, 2009 at 04:36 PM.