 Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103 |
Today is Monday morning. I last rode the bike on Thursday morning (long week at work). When I put her up, she was running smooth.
Today, I checked the air pressure and the front and rear were each about 3 PSI low. Rode to the gas station to air up tires a bit; bike felt sluggish and had some front end wobble. There has never been any front end wobble in the 3100 miles I have ridden it.
Air up the tires a bit and most of the wobble has gone away. Most, as in there is still a slight wobble at all speeds above 30 MPH. The wobble doesn't really get worse as the speed increases.
Any ideas?
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
|
|
I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
What brand of tyres are you running?
What pressures do you use?
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103 |
Metzler Marathon 880 31 front 36 rear.
Tires have been on for about 1800 miles.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706 Likes: 1
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706 Likes: 1 |
maybe the guage at the servo is faulty?
and the air pressure is less then it reads
imho i believe 31psi is to low to start with,i would have thought more along the lines of 34-36psi
04 yellow&black Speedmaster+the Money Pit{xj jeep}
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
|
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
When I had Metz I ran 36 front and 38 rear I think.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657 |
My handbook issued when I purchased my bike in September 2007 states that tyre pressure front 30psi and 31psi laden rear 31 psi and 36 psi laden. Then when and why did Triumph change it as they are still specifying the same tyres? Quote from page 95 of latest handbook from http://www.triumph.co.uk/media/en-AU/900_Cruisers_OHB_UK.pdfSpecifications95 America Speedmaster Tyres Tyre Pressures (Cold) Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 lb/in2 (2.50 bar) 36 lb/in2 (2.50 bar) Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 lb/in2 (2.90 bar) 42 lb/in2 (2.90 bar) Option 1 Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Metzeler Lasertec 110/90 - 18 Metzeler Lasertec T 110/80 - 18 Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Metzeler ME880 170/80B 15 Metzeler ME880 Perhaps some of our more experienced riders could enlighten us on what effect this extra pressure would have.  Thanks
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 473
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 473 |
The swingarm sticker on my 2010 Speedmaster says 30/31 (from memory.. but they are low pressures). The owner's manual says 36/42. I have owned Metzeler's in the past and they like lots of air. I run 36/40 unladen, and 36/42 when riding 2-Up. These pressures are listed on Metzeler's website.
With extra air, the tires run cooler, especially while under load. When tires run cooler, they also last longer. In the 4 years I've been running Metzeler tires (various bikes), I've never had an issue running the higher pressures.
My wife's '07 Speedmaster has different pressures listed again. We just run 36/40 or 36/42 and call it a day.
HTH,
H.
Last edited by hyates; 08/17/2010 9:00 AM.
2010 Speedmaster Black/New England White
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Can air pressure really affect front end wobble?
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706 Likes: 1
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706 Likes: 1 |
hey.....
got this from a local forum in regards to tyre pressure's well worth the read and explains a lot about as to why we need to run the correct pressure.....
Well went away to Bellingen over the weekend.
Tire watch was going to be gimmick or useful tool.
After the weekend, I say useful tool.
It was amazing how cold the tyres were on the cold morning.
Cold temp in Brisvegas was 36psi front and 39psi rear at 27degrees.
Cold morning in Bellinbgen at 5 degrees in the morning presssure was 33psi front and 36psi rear and internal air temp was 13degrees.
By watching the gauge and seeing the pressure and temp come up I knew I was going to hard on cold tyres and backed off till they got to 3psi above my set pressures. What a fantastic feeling knowing that my tyres were right to go.
So definately no gimmick and we were firing most of the weekend. Except the ride home with the hangover....the wifes that is.
Oh and something I keep telling people as a gut feeling, I now know conclusively. Tyre pressure was up 3-4psi when pushing through corners. But between the Waterfall Way turn off and Dorrigo, we got caught behind a bit of traffic and with the straights coudn't push as hard. Guess what the tyres did. They cooled down, quite quickly and significantly. So just getting past some traffic and long straights the tyres weren't quite up to speed back in the twisty's. So the first few corners are critical after what I call a transport section between 2 sets of twisty's.
04 yellow&black Speedmaster+the Money Pit{xj jeep}
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657 |
Quote:
Can air pressure really affect front end wobble?
Well Keith I was wondering the same thing, as I get random front end wobbles, when backing off on the throttle. I have checked wheel alignment and yes my tyre pressures were a bit low around 29, icreased that to 31. The wobble pattern seemed to change, I'm thinking going up to 36 might also have an effect. Will advise verdict after next Sunday's ride.
I sent my last post off to Triumph Australia through their National Dealer Manager, he has passed it on to the tech guys and when I get a reply I will post it.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
This will fry your melon. As recent as a couple weeks ago I could take my hands off the bars at 70-80mph, and slow to a virtual stop without touching them with nary a wobble, even over bumps in the road.
Today, I get the wobble at 40-45 mph on smooth asphalt. Over bumps at virtually any speed it threatens to toss me off my bike. What changed?
I CHANGED SADDLEBAGS.
No other changes. Didn't mess with the front end, the tires or the rear axle. It is literally night and day. There are only two potential issues related to the saddlebags, weight and aerodynamics. The new bags are much lighter than the old, but one side isn't mounted quite the same as the other. Can't imagine aerodynamics at that speed would have anything to do with it.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Weird... and I tell you what, I get random front end wobble too. Somethings I let go of the bars and nothing happens, other times and it's scary. Really bugs me... I like taking my hands off the bars.
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,018
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,018 |
I think most of us get a bit of front end wobble from time to time. Lots of things can bring it on. Mostly you don't notice it eccept hands free.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmtoOmq3ppw now this is real front end wobble.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Lots of things can bring it on.
Like what... I'd like to know? I can feel it even when riding with one hand. The wobble is there while my attached arm acts like a damper. I can feel it wanting to go into a wobble.
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 258
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 258 |
My bike had the wobble as well, after changing the front tire to an ME 880 the wobble went away, for the most part, occasionally I still get a hint of wobble on certain sections of road but a shift to one side or the other usually takes care of it .
I keep the pressure set at 36 front 40 rear cold for one up and add 2 psi for two up with the 880's. The Lasertec seemed to prefer 38 to 40 psi but the increased pressure seemed to accelerate tire wear and handling was terrible.
The Lasertec tire is the only part of this bike I'm disappointed with.
Outside a dog a book is a mans best friend, inside a dog it's to dark to read.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657 |
Quote:
Quote:
Can air pressure really affect front end wobble?
Well Keith I was wondering the same thing, as I get random front end wobbles, when backing off on the throttle. I have checked wheel alignment and yes my tyre pressures were a bit low around 29, icreased that to 31. The wobble pattern seemed to change, I'm thinking going up to 36 might also have an effect. Will advise verdict after next Sunday's ride.
I sent my last post off to Triumph Australia through their National Dealer Manager, he has passed it on to the tech guys and when I get a reply I will post it.
Well pumped the tyre up to new specs, and hey guess what?
Still get the wobbles at 60 klicks and 80 klick but all was good at 100 klicks.
Haven't heard back from triumph on this enquiry yet.
Guess I will have to wait for new tyres, which wont be too far away.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
I run 38 psi front and rear with Metzler 880 Marathons on both.
If higher pressure doesn't make it go away, then you may have a balance, tire and/or rim problem. Get them checked.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 322
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 322 |
Same issues with mine... Gotta say, don't think a weight distro difference between saddle bags or areodynamic of the saddle bags should make this happen. The bike weighs like 500lbs, rider weighs another 150-250, so 10lbs in the left saddle bag versus 5lbs in the right isn't a big deal. I think this has to be either a wheel or rim issue? Just my $0.02 Quote:
This will fry your melon. As recent as a couple weeks ago I could take my hands off the bars at 70-80mph, and slow to a virtual stop without touching them with nary a wobble, even over bumps in the road.
Today, I get the wobble at 40-45 mph on smooth asphalt. Over bumps at virtually any speed it threatens to toss me off my bike. What changed?
I CHANGED SADDLEBAGS.
No other changes. Didn't mess with the front end, the tires or the rear axle. It is literally night and day. There are only two potential issues related to the saddlebags, weight and aerodynamics. The new bags are much lighter than the old, but one side isn't mounted quite the same as the other. Can't imagine aerodynamics at that speed would have anything to do with it.
"stupid's in the water these days, they're gonna drink it anyways, until they don't know right from wrong..."
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
|
|
Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
check down on the right side of the front axel. There is a shim there see if it moves side to side. The front axle bolt was backing off on mine, so I loosend the clamps and gave the axle a tap with a mallot, then reorqued down the axle bolt( It was so loose i could turn it with my fingers). Then retorqued the clamp bolts. DO IT NOW it could have been disaterous for me.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 322
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 322 |
Solved my wobble...
Had to adjust the chain and noticed the rear axel adjusters were 100% not in alignment!
So once the rear axel was aligned the wobble has gone, gone away...hopefully for ever!
"stupid's in the water these days, they're gonna drink it anyways, until they don't know right from wrong..."
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103 |
Bumping this;
Had the front wheel rebalanced, took some of the wobble away, but not all.
Tire pressurs from 30-35 PSI mean the wobble is around 35 MPH. Bump the pressure to 40, the wobble moves above 45 (close to 48-53 MPH).
I weigh around 190 pounds, the wobble is less noticable wiht a 120 pound woman on the back.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
Lots of stuff can cause wobbles…..wheels out of alignment , worn tyres, worn suspension(front or rear) suspension set to different specs either side, road surface sometimes ,bent frame, worn wheel bearings or shims out, day of the week, colour of your crash-hat….whether there’s an ‘r’; in the month.
Glad to have been of help, eh?
Seriously my new 010 TBA is what I’d call ‘sensitive’ in that sometimes I can take my hands off the bars without problems and others I get a small amount of wobble. Just depends on how smooth the road below is.(Nope tyres are fine ,wheels aligned and pressures ok -36 front…42 rear)
It’s the sort of thing that in the old days we used to take care of with a steering damper.
I rode for many years on ‘70’s BMW’s ….now there’s what I call ‘wobble’ caused by the rear sub frame being too light and not rigidly enough bolted to the rest of the bike.
I believe the Germans called these bike s Das Gommy Cow ( the rubber cow-sorry about my unteutonic translation)
Try decelerating quickly from about 90 on an R90/6 to know the true meaning of fear.
Al
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
Some of you may recall i chased a wobble issue for a few thousand miles trying different tires and pressures,etc. Tapered steering head bearings was the fix. No more wobbles in over 20K miles. 
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
|
|
Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Mine was the front wheel axle bolt had backed off and the bearings were loose.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476 |
i had a front wobble on my 02 tiger and it was fixed with a new front tire.
If it isn't broke, I haven't messed with it.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,250 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,250 Likes: 64 |
Wendy's 04 BA had a front end wobble with the stock Bridgestone on it. Replaced it with a Michlin and been dine ever since.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
Some of you may recall i chased a wobble issue for a few thousand miles trying different tires and pressures,etc. Tapered steering head bearings was the fix. No more wobbles in over 20K miles.
It was your posts about the issue that prompted me to do the same to get rid of my wobble.
I got a wobble on a new tire (less than 2000 miles on it). I have a nice little hill before I get to my neighborhood and like to take the hand s off on the way down while coasting. One day it started wobbling.
I ran the gamut, tire pressure, wheel balancing (I had them both re-balanced), checked the rear alignment, checked the front alignment, actually redistributed weight in my hard bags (I carry a tool kit and thought that might be setting me off balance), I was told the front tire was cupped and had it replaced. That fixed it for a few hundred miles then it was back in full force and a bit worse. Thing is as long as I kept my hands on the bars I was fine.
I wound up having the yokes chromed and installed tapered bearings from All Ball and the wobble has been gone for a few thousand miles now.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Z, both your and Robs responses to this thread seems to clarify why I too have not been able to get rid of front end wobble. Like you I enjoy taking my hands off the bars but there have been times when it was just downright scary. I've done everything too... new tire(s), checked wheel balances, checked alignment, tire pressure. At times I thought I had it licked but no, it's still there.
Sounds like I best go with new tapered bearings to put this problem to rest. Appreciate the info.
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103 |
Wow, glad I resurrected this. What are tapered bearings and how do I change them?
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Complete Newb
|
|
Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1 |
Hello from Sydney Australia. I too have a wobble on my 07 Speedmaster, much like you guys have described.I am going to get rid of the Lasertec, install some progressive fork springs with heavier oil, and change over to tapered bearings as well. Any idea where I can buy them?
|
|
|
Re: Random front end wobble
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
|
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Hi Rob. Welcome to the forum. You'll get plenty of advice here - and some of it may even be useful.  I would start with a new tyre - not another Lasertech - I had bad wobbles from my stock Lasertech. Is it the original tyre ? If so it is well past it's use by date. I use Dunlop 404 but Metzler are good too. Others will suggest some brands. The progressive springs improve the handling and reduce the dive problem of the stock springs BUT they may not do much for your wobble. Wobble can also be caused by having your REAR wheel out of alignment. Others may suggest some more causes of front end wobble. I used Hagon Progressive springs from the Australian distributor (moose racing if I remember correctly). They are excellent but the distributor is a one man band and is not very reliable. He kept supplying me and others the wrongly rated rear springs (nitros). That said the product is second to none. Another option would be Ricor Intiminators (See here ) . They have had great reviews here and elsewhere. They are installed using your stock springs, not progressives. I don't have these so others may have more accurate comments. My wobble problem was solved by a new tyre and progressive springs. My stock bearing was fine (some bearings came rusty from the Thai factory back in the mid to late 2000s). They may have been storing partly assembled frames outside (conjecture). Check out the Tech vault for lots of handy advice.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
|
|
|
|
|
