Author Topic: wobble to my steering, '72 CB500  (Read 1140 times)

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Offline westondc

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wobble to my steering, '72 CB500
« on: June 21, 2010, 01:45:06 PM »
I noticed that my 72 CB500 has developed a steering issue. the bike seems to pull to the right when riding and the front end starts to wobble when i don't have both hands firmly on the handle bar grips. this issue began after my last 400+ mile trip. is it a steering bearing issue? front wheel not balanced?
B.O.X.N.I.F.E. Hospital fund https://www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/8352
Rider no. 115 on the 2012 SOHC/4 Honda World Tour
Rider no. 274 on the 2011 SOHC/4 Honda World Tour
1972 Honda CB500k1
1971 Honda CB350k3
the project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64499.0
Trip/Project Blog http://easterntowestern.blogspot.com/
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just be a vagabond, living out of a backpack on a little Honda, cruisin all over the damn place....
"As your attorney, I advise you to buy a motorcycle. How else can we cover a thing like this righteously?"

Offline nancy

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Re: wobble to my steering, '72 CB500
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2010, 01:59:25 PM »
Possibly any of those and more.
Tyres inflated properly?
Put it up on mainstand. Jack or block under engine to lift front wheel off ground. Spin your front wheel to make sure disk rotor is not being grabbed. Should spin but not like a top...
Next, check for front wheel bearing play - try to move the wheel on it's axis and wiggle it side to side and up down. There should be no play.
Next check steering head bearings. While front is still up - check at the handlebars. Let them drop left, back to centre, let them drop right. They should. Move them by hand and feel for any notchiness indicating bearing or race damage.
Next check front wheel is tight - check nuts for tightness.
Next look carefully over tyre for damage of any kind - swelling, cut etc.
Next check spokes for tightness - run a scewdriver or soemthing over them and see if they make nice tingy pingy sounds. They should.
Next check back end - it may have alignment issue with front. Is rear squared up on marks on swingarm? Does rear run true to front - you can check this with a length of string - search FAQ for details.

Offline westondc

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Re: wobble to my steering, '72 CB500
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2010, 02:17:44 PM »
great tips, gives me a place to start. thanks
B.O.X.N.I.F.E. Hospital fund https://www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/8352
Rider no. 115 on the 2012 SOHC/4 Honda World Tour
Rider no. 274 on the 2011 SOHC/4 Honda World Tour
1972 Honda CB500k1
1971 Honda CB350k3
the project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64499.0
Trip/Project Blog http://easterntowestern.blogspot.com/
Quote
just be a vagabond, living out of a backpack on a little Honda, cruisin all over the damn place....
"As your attorney, I advise you to buy a motorcycle. How else can we cover a thing like this righteously?"