Topic: front end shimmy (or so it seems)

[dboblet]

seems I'm getting a bit (just barely noticeable) front end shimmy...  or so it seems to me.  Just this barely noticeable shaking on the front end... from side to side, not up and down.

I was wondering if it could be unequal fluid on the front forks?  I want to change it anyway, but thought I'd ask first.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Worn forks, loose steering head, uneven tire wear, tire pressure low, low fluid, worn wheel bearings.  Set the tire pressure, replace the fork oil, tighten the steering head bearings, check those bearings for wobble.  Should take about 45 minutes.  Jack her up and have a go mate!   

[scunny]

also check the rear, sometimes a problem here can translate to the front end

[dboblet]

Grrrr.  Low tire pressure.  Grrrrr.  yup, rookie move.  Tire pressure was down to 15 psi in front.  Grrrrrrrrrrrr.
Much much better now.  Thanks.

BTW, what tire pressure is best (from experience).  I'm running the decal pressure right now.  Single rider, mountian roads, CB750f SS, stock tire size.

[mrbreeze]

I run mine at 30 PSI and check them all the time. If they get down too low,you run the risk of ripping the valve stem off of the rim....especially on the rear.....ask me how I know!!!!! Bring it down to Murphys once a week for a putt!!! We have a compressor....we can fill your tire full of air!!!

[dboblet]

well, it's been about a year now and I'm racing up and down Murphy's Grade road again and the shimmy is STILL there.  A bit of research revealed that this was a common feature (defect?) in the F2.  Seems to me that way back in the day I had a friend with a K model and HE put some kind of after market damper unit on his bike (looked a lot like a small shock that went between the frame and the fork assy somewhere).  That was way a long time ago.  The thing that disturbs me is that I can 'feel' it in a tight curve, on say the curves up the hill from 'dead-man's curve' almost to Murphys, or any curve that I suddenly lay from one side to the other.  As the fork compresses, it feels.... unsteady.... and gives me a few brief nanoseconds of panic before I relax into the new compression and gas up through the turn, then, all's good again. 

What I read is that this bike has a distinct 'wobble' of the handle bar set on a straight away if you take your hands off the grips .... and that seems exactly what I get.  Still, for a 30 year old  bike wth 15k original miles... she sure rides nice and tight (otherwise).

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

well, it's been about a year now and I'm racing up and down Murphy's Grade road again and the shimmy is STILL there.  A bit of research revealed that this was a common feature (defect?) in the F2.  Seems to me that way back in the day I had a friend with a K model and HE put some kind of after market damper unit on his bike (looked a lot like a small shock that went between the frame and the fork assy somewhere).  That was way a long time ago.  The thing that disturbs me is that I can 'feel' it in a tight curve, on say the curves up the hill from 'dead-man's curve' almost to Murphys, or any curve that I suddenly lay from one side to the other.  As the fork compresses, it feels.... unsteady.... and gives me a few brief nanoseconds of panic before I relax into the new compression and gas up through the turn, then, all's good again. 

What I read is that this bike has a distinct 'wobble' of the handle bar set on a straight away if you take your hands off the grips .... and that seems exactly what I get.  Still, for a 30 year old  bike wth 15k original miles... she sure rides nice and tight (otherwise).

You're talking about a steering damper, I have one on the way. Do a search, a lot of guys report much better handling in corners.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=56463.0

[Popwood]

Could it be your front rim needs truing? Not roundness, but side to side?

[Alan F.]

You should really check out all of the things that KingCustomCycles.com  mentioned, also check wheels for loose spokes and true them up and re-balance them, replace wheel bearings, and have Hondaman work his magic on your swingarm bushings. Have him put on real grease fittings while he's at it too.  Then if you still have this problem put on a steering damper. it's a good accessory but if you're using it to mask other issues with your bike.... well that's just not safe thinking.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I should have mentioned that, the damper is not a solution to your problem, just a performance enhancement for an already well functioning bike. It takes time, but you'll have to check the laundry list of possible offenders.

[dboblet]

Could it be your front rim needs truing? Not roundness, but side to side?

Could be a truing problem but...  uh... comstar rims so truing might not be all that easy.  With the bike on a support (no center stand on my f3) I can spin the front wheel and it seems to have a bit of side to side play.  Something I'll have to live with since funds are low at the mo.  BTW, seems to wobble a lot worse if I let the chain tension get sloppy.  It all goes away and runs smooth at about 55 though.