Golly Wobbles-almost a tank slapper

[Wrinkled Wrider]

Mr Max and I were cruising the countryside in Upper Montgomery Co. yesterday.
For gigs, I let go of the bars at 40+ and immediately had a growing shake of the front end until I could steady it just a second later.
I can ride the Vic no hands and it's the Rock of Gibraltar.
This is the first time I did this and it will be my last.
Is this "normal"? Should I get a steering damper? Any experience?

WW

 

[scuff]

Ah ya something is wrong, I can take my hands off at just about any speed with no wobble, and I don't have a dampner, maybe caliper not releasing all the way ?? At any rate don't think you need a dampner to fix this issue, just my opinion.

 

[Redbone]

Time for some steering head adjustments, there is a section on how to do this. Or you can watch Sean Morley's video that explains how to do it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-CmACI5xQ

 

[DMAN999]

^ Absolutely.
I check and adjust my steering head every Spring and the only time I've ever had any headshake at any speed was caused by a cupped front tire.

 

[snowcliff84]

I just did this adjustment a little over a week ago. Wobble is completely gone for me. Doesn't take long, you might need to buy a big wrench though. Home Depot sells the 1 1/16 Husky wrench for around 6 bucks or the 27mm for around $8.50 or so. I went with the 1 1/16 and fits perfect.

 

[customizedcreationz]

Cupped front tires like Dennis said is the main culprit on almost all bikes.

Todd

 

[CrackerRican]

I had to throw away my underwear & pants when that happened to me, like the above advise check your steering head bearing

 

[Diablotin]

Bad bearings stem or wheel, or bad tire could be the reason

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[Tex85]

I need to do that as well. Mine ALWAYS shakes if I take my hands off around the 40mph mark. My solution so far has been to keep my hands on it, but fixing the problem is probably a better solution.

 

[jfeagins]

Every time I get a high-speed wobble, it has been due to run out on the BACK tire. I've had a cupped front tire so bad, the bike had an up and down hop one time. That one had to go!

I don't take my hands off both sides of the bars hardly ever or at any speed, so I am not sure if I have any 40mph wobble or not.

 

[[email protected]]

Shortly after getting my 06 with less than 5k miles on it I had the same problem. A bearing adjustment worked for me.

 

[Wrinkled Wrider]

Thanks for all the advice. Consensus seems to be head bearings , next wheels/tires and finally brake disc runout. I will proceed in that order.
Great to have this depth of knowledge for the asking.
Thanks again,
WW

 

[Rusty McNeil]

I need to do that as well. Mine ALWAYS shakes if I take my hands off around the 40mph mark. My solution so far has been to keep my hands on it, but fixing the problem is probably a better solution.

I "Dealt with" a known wobble/weave issue on a V65 for a long time before it snuck up on me at 140mph, turned into a full blown tank slapper and spit me off like a rag doll.
I got lucky and lived to tell about it.....

 

[sdt354]

I might be overkill but I inspect my head bearings yearly. New grease and readjust.

 

[Wrinkled Wrider]

Took it to my shop , Montgomeryville cycles- good guys , try 'em--and they put a senior mech on it.

First off the service manager said "don't do that!" I like his Henny Youngman act but I said none of my other bikes plays this trick.

The mechanic did the proper procedure even though his service note said he didn't find any looseness but a "too easy " side to side turn of the bars on the lift (front wheel off the ground).

After he retorqued the steering head, I got the bike and rode it about 10 miles. WOBBLE GONE.

Thanks again guys for the direction. I feel riding with clean underwear is likely again.

 

[one2dmax]

Sounds like he adjusted it per my video

 

[Gargoyle]

My V65 used to do that… New head bearings fixed her right up..

 

[Fire-medic]

My V65 used to do that… New head bearings fixed her right up..

"All Balls" brand bearings-inexpensive & a cool little mascot guy!

 

[Gargoyle]

Love the stickers that come with the kit… Just can't bring myself to stick them anywhere.. LOL!!

 

[cdmas1]

Tried tightening the head as in the video above. Mine bounced several times. Not now. Will ride tomorrow and test it.