Front end wobble

[Drifter1500]

Nobody mentioned tire balance or rim runout, I would check these first.

You can jack up the front of the bike and check bearings, that's not a big deal.
But until you check the stupid stuff first your a dog chasing his tail.

Abnormal tire wear is also in the mix. Easy to check as well.

[49Reo]

Yeah, I'm not whipped. Not me. No way. I can go out fora coffee with the guys any time I want to; I just have to check with the wife to see if I want to or not.....

[pcarrell]

No, no.....we're equal to our spouses.  They're just more equal then us! 

[CDNRatMan]

   PC and 49 it is plain as the nose on your face that your wife or as in DC's case wives do not hold you in the esteem or reverence as his wives hold him.....you both sound scared of your spouses.....

[49Reo]

Yeah, if I tried that, front end wobble would be the least of my problems....

[pcarrell]

If I did that I could pretty much bet that front end would "accidentally-on-purpose" come off at 60mph or so!

[CDNRatMan]

   Let the wives do your work for you and you direct from your recliner drinking a nice cold beer........

[DC]

I talked with a shop about this same problem today.  Looks like we'll be replacing the bearings.

[49Reo]

 

[CDNRatMan]

 because you taught me to ride

[49Reo]

  yup bought one of them, but one too small so need to up grade to a larger one.

Thought you bought yours for your training wheels.....

[CDNRatMan]

   yup bought one of them, but one too small so need to up grade to a larger one.

[Elmo Hayride]

Your right there CDRatMan, that's why after I saw that tire I invested in a rollstand that I could drive on and spin the wheel.
http://www.amazon.com/Hardline-Products-RS-00002-Rollastand-Cruisers/dp/B000GTVWFW

Buy it through VDR's Amazon link:
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/books.html

Dave

[CDNRatMan]

  And with the fancy skirts it is sometimes hard to see the tires and any wear on them so helps to really take the time and look at them careful.

[Elmo Hayride]

Come to think of it, when I bought my 1500 I would get a really bad wobble @ around 45 mph. It was the rear tire for sure, almost like driving on a flat but all over the place. The bike shop I went to have new tires put on couldn't believe I drove it in. Can't emphasize it enough to check your ride!
Dave

[DC]

What causes the wobble?  Is it axial runout, as opposed to radial runout?. . . . . . Or something else?

[49Reo]

Tire pressure, good, bearings feel good no rotor drag, head bearings feel ok, going to do some more digging this winter. Thinking it might be the rear tire separating.

[LadyDrifter]

I had the issue you mentioned, riding one-handed, it would wobble weird...but when it started doing a very dangerous wobble on the interstate at high speeds...that's when i decided no more...I had the bearings changed---problem solved...

[rawv]

I did that once and it went into a major wobble ....It scared the hell out of me and that'll never be done again.

[chief]

This is a recurring problem on many bikes... a lot of things can cause it... from poorly worn tires (including rear tires) to worn out bearings.

[greenbarn]

Realize this is a old post. I have a 1200 voyager that did the same thing. I raised the tire pressure about 5 psi and the problem went away and did not return.

t6

That is interesting.

49, you ever figure out what was causing yours??   

[teamster6]

Realize this is a old post. I have a 1200 voyager that did the same thing. I raised the tire pressure about 5 psi and the problem went away and did not return.

t6

[John Hopkins]

Jack the front end up and spin the wheel, with a chalkmark on the tire you can see if the weight is at one point..also is there any play in the steering head bearings maybe they just need tightening.

John.

[49Reo]

Out for a ride (2x) this week, noticed a new issue. Locked the throttle to do up my jacket, at about 60 mph; when I let go out the bars, went into a severe front end wobble: this is a new issue. I know, shouldn't let go of the bars, not safe or wise, but my Drifter has always been rock solid, have always been able to do this with no issue. Wheel weights are still on the spokes, tire pressure good, tire tread good, no cupping, steering neck bearings feel smooth. Any pressure on the handle bares stops the wobble; can't feel any vibration whatsoever with even light pressure on the bars.

Any suggestions?