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speed wobble at around 75mph

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by drifter, May 25, 2014.

  1. drifter

    drifter Member

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    Should I be concerned about getting wooble at that speed.. Out of balance wheel or bearings?
     
  2. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    You should be very concerned. The most likely cause is headstock bearings that are worn or out of adjustment. Worn swingarm bearings can also cause a wobble at speed.
    What bike do you have?
     
  3. drifter

    drifter Member

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    Sorry 82 650 maxim. .. How can I check for adjustment
     
  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Put the bike on the center stand, and strap the stand to the rear wheel for a bit of extra safety. Using a broad pad, or scrap of wood under the frame, jack the fronnt of the bike up until the front tire is clear of the ground. Grab the fork legs and give a wiggle fore/aft. There should be no play. Turn the bars. They should turn freely and smoothly with almost no force being applied.

    To check the swingarm bearings for play just leave the bike on the center stand as normal and give a wiggle from side to side. There should be no play at all.
     
  5. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    a wobble shakes the bars side to side, then the whole bike shakes side to side then you crash.
    a unbalanced wheel just vibrates, usually starts with the mirrors and guages
     
  6. drifter

    drifter Member

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    Its definatly not. Vibration.... The handle bars start woobling.... If I don't find any play ... What else could it be..? I won't have a chance to check it for a few days
     
  7. Captain_Panic

    Captain_Panic Member

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    I have the same issue with mine around the same speeds and higher. I have looked down and my front wheel is bouncing up and down like it is hitting bumps.
     
  8. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    That would indicate an out of round or bent wheel, an out of balance wheel/tire combo, and probably front forks that need attention as well.

    Another very common cause of "speed wobble" is worn rear shocks.
     
  9. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    What is the road surface like ?
     
  10. Captain_Panic

    Captain_Panic Member

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    I know on mine it doesn't matter. Smooth fresh pavement will still do it.
     
  11. richisan

    richisan New Member

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    I had a head shake on my '82 Seca 650 at any speed above 40 mph and checked the steering head bearings and found them notched and waaay too tight. The bottom steering stem bearing really supports the full weight of bike and rider more than the top does...Replaced the cheap stock ball steering bearings with tapered roller ones and presto! Head shake gone! New balanced tire helped too! Usually a combination of both in bad shape will give you a nice scary head shake....
     
  12. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    My 750 SECA had a "weave" at 75 MPH, not exactly a "wobble"

    Without the handlebars moving very much, the tires would go left-right-left cycling about once per second. She was naked at the time, I have since dressed her out.

    Brand-new Avon tires fixed that. Mine already had tapered bearings.
     

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