Topic: 750 k5 handling problem at speed part 2

[jsaab2748]

This was posted a while back on the old board, a problem of the bike sort of "swimming like a fish" at high speeds and under heavy throttle load. Gave the impression of a problem somewhere BEHIND or AFTER the front wheel. After checking ALL AREAS of the suspension first, as per everyone's suggestions, I found the culprit quite by accident.  And after cursing that new rear tire onto the rim...
Surely those spokes couldn't need tightning??? I just had 'em done with the LAST rear tire........
 

[Spear]

So what are you saying? The spokes needed re-tensioning? I'm having the same sort of problem and need to eliminate or isolate the variables.

[jsaab2748]

Yup, tightening the spokes cured the problem in my case. There were more than a few loose and I'm guessing that when under load from the engine they were allowing the rim/tire to "squirm".
It showed up mostly at higher highway speeds. After discovering how loose they were, I had a bike shop true the wheel, then remount the tire and balance the whole assembly. Cornering is much improved also.

[L.A. Nomad........]

I'm having a similar problem, between 70-80mph my bike(76 CB550) gets wobbly. When I'm at 70-80mph on concrete freeway with straight cuts, it's worse! On asphalt freeway it stays steady longer until I go past 80mph. I'm thinking steering bearings, wheel balance, or swingarm bushings. I've already replaced the front tire, but didn't have it balanced. I guess I'll check my spokes too.

I forgot to mention this bike has been sitting for 6-7 years. I've changed oil,filters,front tire, rebuilt carbs, and added a new battery.

Thanks, Nomad

[Domingo]

I am having the same problem with  my CB550 1976. I changed the front wheel bearings, I had the front wheel balanced, the rear wheel balanced and still have the same problem. It happens between 45-70 mph. What could be the problem?