Topic: front end wobble question.

[HonderCB]

hey guys, I tried some searching but didn't find this specific problem, so hopefully someone has some insight.

I have a wobble in my front end.  It only happens if I take my hands off the handlebars.  As long as I hold on to the bars there is no issue whatsoever.  It rides perfectly straight and stable, as long as my hands are holding on.  Now, I am not in the habit of letting go of the bars while riding, it is just something I noticed when I was stretching one day, so I tested it out.  I know it does it at low speed, and my hand isn't on the throttle so its decelerating, but for obvious safety reasons I haven't tested it out at higher speeds.

The obvious solution that I immediately thought of was that I needed to replace my stem bearings, but I wanted to ask here in case this was something someone else had encountered and there was a different specific cause.  I know I need to go through the front end components to make sure everything else properly tightened and in spec.  The only other thing I can think of that could possibly be considered is that it is an F model, so it is supposed to have dual front discs, but a PO had removed one of the rotors and calipers, so could that be causing a balance issue?

I was planning on doing the stem bearings anyway and rebuilding another caliper for the front next winter, so hopefully its something else, but I have a feeling I will be buying an all-balls kit soon.

Thanks in advance for any help

[LesterPiglet]

I may be wrong but I'm almost certain your bike is only meant to have one disc. What is the exact model?
Put your bike on the centre stand and try pulling the front wheel back and forward. If there is any play you need new steering bearings.

[nccb]

hey guys, I tried some searching but didn't find this specific problem, so hopefully someone has some insight.

I have a wobble in my front end.  It only happens if I take my hands off the handlebars.  As long as I hold on to the bars there is no issue whatsoever.  It rides perfectly straight and stable, as long as my hands are holding on.  Now, I am not in the habit of letting go of the bars while riding, it is just something I noticed when I was stretching one day, so I tested it out.  I know it does it at low speed, and my hand isn't on the throttle so its decelerating, but for obvious safety reasons I haven't tested it out at higher speeds.

The obvious solution that I immediately thought of was that I needed to replace my stem bearings, but I wanted to ask here in case this was something someone else had encountered and there was a different specific cause.  I know I need to go through the front end components to make sure everything else properly tightened and in spec.  The only other thing I can think of that could possibly be considered is that it is an F model, so it is supposed to have dual front discs, but a PO had removed one of the rotors and calipers, so could that be causing a balance issue?

I was planning on doing the stem bearings anyway and rebuilding another caliper for the front next winter, so hopefully its something else, but I have a feeling I will be buying an all-balls kit soon.

Thanks in advance for any help

I just noticed a similar issue on my bike last night.  Was riding about 60ish and just wanted to see how straight it would go if I took my hands off the bars and it started wobbling pretty fast but still not really enough to make my bike swerve.  Mine is a 74K, I was thinking similar lines of replacing bearings. . .

[haill]

would also check the swing arm bushings in the rear for play,
place your bike on it's centre stand and move the rear tire from side to side looking for play at the swingarm connection points.
 if there is then get some new bushings.

[Scott S]

 Yep...turned out it was the swing arm bushings on my bike. An unbalanced tire can cause it, too....even the rear tire. It's odd how the harmonics will move something that's out of whack on the rear to the front of the bike.

[KCbarsos]

i had the PO's old mismatched tires on my k3 750 and my front end would start to wobble as soon as i took my hands off. i got some new "shoes" installed and balanced....what an improvement. nice and smooth.  i can finally pick my nose and scratch my ass at the same time with out worrying. 

[2wheels]

My K0 has done this for many years now.  As long as I have one hand on the bar it is fine.
Been thought several tires over the years.  Swing arm feels tight to me.
I have always thought it is the steering head bearings that are worn, that is causing the problem ??

I hope you figure it out, then I can fix mine.

[BobbyR]

I had the same problem some years ago and posted it. It was diagnosed as "decell wobble" which can come from worn loose stem bearings. I had just installed new Tires and used the pressure on the sticker. It turns out the new tires are more sensitive to pressure than the old ones. I raised the pressures and it cleared up.  Others have experienced the same thing. Try going up 5 lbs and see it it gets better.

[cosmicvision]

Try going up 5 lbs and see it it gets better.

Leaking a little air out solved this problem for me, I just held the valve in for one-one-thousand-two-one-thousand & I'm back in the nose-pickin, ass-scratchin game myself

[seanbarney41]

...steering head bearings are, at the least, too loose or may need to be replaced.  The steering head needs to be tightened/adjusted periodically and the procedure is documented in the service manual and in the clymer manual

[Schnell]

...steering head bearings are, at the least, too loose or may need to be replaced.  The steering head needs to be tightened/adjusted periodically and the procedure is documented in the service manual and in the clymer manual

How tight should that fastener for the bearings be?

[Bankerdanny]

Check out this: http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/shucking.html

A great tutorial on what causes shakes and how to deal with them.

[HonderCB]

Awesome input guys, thanks a million.  I knew I could count on you.

[seanbarney41]

...steering head bearings are, at the least, too loose or may need to be replaced.  The steering head needs to be tightened/adjusted periodically and the procedure is documented in the service manual and in the clymer manual

How tight should that fastener for the bearings be?

it's not really a question of how tight...it's an adjustment...in a nutshell, jack the front wheel up off the floor, then you crank it down until there is resistance in the steering,  then you loosen just to the point where you set the steering straight and a slight touch will cause the steering to fall to the steering stop by it's own weight.  Get a manual, if you don't have one.  This is an important adjustment and the explanation much better than mine.

[Lostboy Steve]

i had the PO's old mismatched tires on my k3 750 and my front end would start to wobble as soon as i took my hands off. i got some new "shoes" installed and balanced....what an improvement. nice and smooth.  i can finally pick my nose and scratch my ass at the same time with out worrying. 

haha. I get the same thing and basically have new everything. Can't explain it.