 Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: May 2010
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When I am decelerating my front end seems to get a bad wobble. I notice it more when I am not breaking and when I take one hand off to signal a lane change (I often use lights and hands to signal). I do not notice the wobble any other time. Any Ideas?
07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5 |
It's either the front tire worn out or steering head bearings. I would put money on the tire.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: May 2010
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bike has 5500 total miles on it... front tire looks fine to me. No uneven tread, no low tread...
07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
fyi Front tires have been known to cup enough round 5000 miles to cause the 'wobble'. Low inflation pressures are usually the cause of premature cupping.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: May 2010
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ok I'll get it checked out... Been keeping inflation pressures correct
07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Some say it could be wheel alignment, meaning the rear wheel might not be true to the rest of the bike.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: May 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
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The factory recommended tire pressures might be suspect here. I'd contact the tire manufacturer direct for an update. Why you ask? Because on a different brand bike the factory pressures were way below the tire maker's recommendations...I mean like on the order of 5 to 10 lbs lower and that's huge when it comes to tire wear and wobble.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Member
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jyates - did you ever figure out the cause of the front end wobble problem you were having? I'm curious because I took my bike out for a 270 mile ride on Saturday and noticed a slight front end wobble at slow speeds (30-40mph) but it was less noticeable at highway speeds. I didn't know if it would be a tire problem or a balancing problem or something else.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
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My 002c bet is on tire cupped or pressure too.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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No it only happens when i am costing. It is the stock tire front and rear and has always been good on pressure when I ride so I have no idea why it is doing it. It is not a huge issue for me.
07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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I'm leaning towards steering head bearings as being your problem, in fact I'm starting to wonder if those bearings should go down on the 'known problems' list for our bikes. My front end shakes too and this after going through 3 front tires, and even different wheels. This winter I'm swapping out the bearings so it'll be spring before I know if this cures the problem, but I believe it will.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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yea, I may swap mine out this winter as well. But in Texas that is very short, so I may have something after our first cold spell...haha
07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
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if the back wheel is not straight, it can cause the problem also. make sure you are tracking true. 
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Jun 2007
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I havent written for a few years but to my memory the type of tyre has a big input on this. One road test I recently read suggested that most bikes (British or Japanese) that have a older fashioned block type, tread (these are of course newer than the ribbed front tyre of those in the day),tend to wobble at 50mph on de-acceleration. No body seems to have come up with a definitive answer but on my next tyre change I will try an Avon(non block type tread) this tyre has a modern day tread pattern.(no idea what to call the modern day tread pattern maybe race style or is it radial?)
What ever just hang on tight until you find a solution and let us know.
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 Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: May 2010
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
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Quote:
if the back wheel is not straight, it can cause the problem also. make sure you are tracking true.
#1 You can do a pretty decent alignment check with a competent helper, center stand or jack, a string and a tape measure. Get your bike plumb as you can (shim if necessary) and stable, bungie your H.bar ends so your forks will aim straight by themselves. From low on the back tire, have your helper hold the string as to alignment back to front and continue on to the front tire. Measure the gap as parallel to the front tire left and right sides. I can almost guarantee you will want to be moving that rear wheel one way or the other, first, the string don't lie. Once you have the back straightened checking the front is a snap as described
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
if the back wheel is not straight, it can cause the problem also. make sure you are tracking true.
Ditto on that, a badly aligned rear tire can cause a worse wobble than a cupped tire or bering.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
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I had this problem and we checked all the usual suspects.
Wheel alignment/balance,fork springs/oil,steering head bearings.
Replaced the front tyre and the problem was gone,
So I agree it'll be either a cupped tyre or steering head bearings.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
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"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: May 2010
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07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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Wendys bike did it and the tire showed no visible wear but once I changed the tire it was gone.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
Wendys bike did it and the tire showed no visible wear but once I changed the tire it was gone.
Ditto.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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I've done everything from tire changes, to wheel swaps, to tire pressure experiments, to assured wheel alignment (back to front), to holding my tongue in a particular way and I still have front end wobble. I felt it especially with the back all loaded up with camping essentials. I miss being able to let go of the bars but dare not with this wobble. Bearings are the only thing I haven't played with, so that is next. And the funny thing is... with other bikes I NEVER had this problem. Even now with my enduro, which I bash and crash more often than I wish and have twisted the front end within the triple trees (normal stuff)... I have a perfectly stable front end when I let go of the bars.
Bearings are on the to-do list this winter. It HAS to clear up the problem... what else is there I haven't tried?!?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Apr 2008
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I had a terrible wobble that I couldn't sort out. Took it to the dealer while it was under warranty and they couldn't fix it. Spent endless amounts of time aligning the wheels, it was driving me crazy. Finally ditched the Metzler laser tech that was on the front and replaced it with a ME 880, and PROBLEM SOLVED. Tracks like it's on rails, can take the hands off the bars at 50 mph and coast down with no wobble whatsoever.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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Funny you had an issue with the Lazertech, I put over 24,000 on mine and it ran straight and true the whole time. I let go of the bars and ride down a hill around corners and all without touching the bars. Most issues I have heard of with the wobble was with the OEM Bridgestones like Wendy had on hers.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Apr 2008
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What finally made me suspect the front tire was, I elevated the front end just enough that you could rotate the tire. Then I placed a fixed pointer on the edge of the sidewall and what I noticed was a deflection of about 1/8 inch. Can't say for sure that was the problem, all I know is that my bike wobbled from the first day I owned it and it went away with a tire change. By the way the Lasertech did not look the least bit worn.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
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The only problems I ever have with that is because of low front tire pressure.
If you have those stick on wheel weights your tires can become out of balance with wear.
Wheel alignment front (front to rear) usually causes drift. Like any other vehicle. If left uncorrected this can cause irregular wear, and therefore a wobble.
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
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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My front end wobble was also due to the Lasertech and wobbled right from new. Changed the new tire to Dunlops and the problem was gone. Must be inconsistencies with the Lasertech quality - perhaps more so in recent years. What year was your Lasertech Ian? Mine was an 08 manufactured tyre.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
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My 07 Speedy had the wobble since new, only on deceleration, up around 30-40 mph, taking one hand off handlebars. Checked head, tire pressures, alignment, no luck. At 10k miles, I replaced stock tires w/same, had front tire/wheel spin balanced, yellow weight spot located nearest the tire valve. Reinstalled w/new axle grease, torqued to specs. Took bike out, exactly the same wobble as before. Go figure, just have to live w/it, as everyone has the same fixes that don't help. It may be related to this bikes' rake. Still a better ride than most in class even w/this issue.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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my experience with this was the steering head bearings - unlikely at 5500 but...
If you can raise the front end of the bike so the front wheel is free see if it turns smoothly side to side or if there's a bit of a hesitation or notch when passing through dead straight.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
Quote:
My front end wobble was also due to the Lasertech and wobbled right from new. Changed the new tire to Dunlops and the problem was gone. Must be inconsistencies with the Lasertech quality - perhaps more so in recent years. What year was your Lasertech Ian? Mine was an 08 manufactured tyre.
Possible, mine was the stock 04 tire.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
Quote:
My 07 Speedy had the wobble since new, only on deceleration, up around 30-40 mph, taking one hand off handlebars. Checked head, tire pressures, alignment, no luck. At 10k miles, I replaced stock tires w/same, had front tire/wheel spin balanced, yellow weight spot located nearest the tire valve. Reinstalled w/new axle grease, torqued to specs. Took bike out, exactly the same wobble as before. Go figure, just have to live w/it, as everyone has the same fixes that don't help. It may be related to this bikes' rake. Still a better ride than most in class even w/this issue.
Not related to the rake, there has to be a reason since most have been able to fix it one way or the other and my bike and Wendys ran straight and true from day one. Wendy had the wobble at one point but solved with a new tire (of different manufacture) and been fine ever since. Might look at your front brake too for any hanging or dragging and any warping of the front rotor.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Joined: May 2011
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This is an ongoing problem with my 2100 America, it's in the shop right now, I called earlier & they told me that the tech felt no wobble. I asked to speak to the tech and he told me that he took it out a second time and it wobbled (between 30-40, 50-60), they were going to check the head & I suggested that they also check the rear alignment. That phone call was 3 hours ago & no word... I think they may have found something. The last time I took it in they blamed the tire pressure (It was 2 lbs low) and also blamed the Metzler thread pattern. I can't wait to see what they come up with this time. It's tough having one shop in town that knows Triumphs.
Ride like you mean it.
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Re: Front end wobble on decal
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Just had the bike in to get a new tube in the front tire. Old one got a hole from being folded over in two places (upeyes). Had the guy look at the wobble. He ended up tightening the nuts to the fork (connected to the top triple tree). Changed the wobble, made it a little better; after three or four tries. Still wobbles. He suggested the rake could be part of the issue.
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