Author Topic: Bars wobbling? (Read 5947 times)

mattt · « **on:** December 08, 2006, 11:02:23 AM »

Hello there, havent been on for a while. I recently had my rear tire changed and done roughly 200 miles on it and today i happend to take my hands off the bars and they started to wobble almost out of control. My first thought was that the rear hasnt been balanced properly. I have taken it to my local garage they recon its because my front has a flat spot. I have run the rear wheel on the center stand and it doesnt appear to be wobbling. I have ordered a new front anyway? What do you lot think?

pmackie · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2006, 12:05:14 PM »

My 2G 600 used to shake the bars at approx 70kph. I felt it was a combination of a number of things:
1. Front tire wear and config - I was using BT56 & BT20 tires which have two centre grooves and block patterns running to the side. These tires seemed to cup or scallop easily.
2. Front tire on my 600 was a 120 - 60 series, or low profile. The 1200 Bandits have a 120 - 70 series.
3. I have the front forks dropped 5/8" and rear preload on full to tighten up the turning.

I changed the tires to a set of Michelin Pilot Roads, with a 120 - 70 series front. With this change in tire size and pattern, I now have NO hint of wobble. The larger profile makes the steering a little heavier, like the 1200 Bandit, so more stable for highway trips, which is where I normally use the bike. If I were spending my time in a city setting, I would use the lower profile front and live with the shake at 70kph.

For your bike, check the front tire for signs of cupping wear and make sure it has enough pressure. Low air pressure and scalloped wear seem to aggrevate the problem, IMHO.

mattt · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2006, 01:20:10 PM »

what do u mean by cupping wear?

DaveG · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2006, 03:02:46 PM »

change the front tire to something without a centre groove.
my 02B12 got the shakes with a MAC90 and changing to a MEZ4 cured it.

mike · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2006, 06:38:46 PM »

Always replace both when you replace tires... Asking for issues if you don't...

txbanditrydr · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2006, 10:23:08 PM »

I'll chime in with a suggestion to check your steering head bearings for proper tightness. There is actually supposed to be a slight resistance when moving the handle bars if the bearing is "properly" tightened. This requires and spring scale to adjust. If you haven't checked this it would be a good place to start - solved my wobbles (on the bike anyway

)

solman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2006, 11:07:38 PM »

Quote from: "mike"

Always replace both when you replace tires... Asking for issues if you don't...

Never done it that way, unless both of them needed changing. Never had issues with doing it that way either. May be different for tracks, but I have never had issues with that.

mike · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2006, 10:55:40 AM »

Riding on a matched set is like night and day compared to riding on mix and match sets.... A new set scrubbed in is like riding on rails... If you ride with performance in mind and push the cornering abilities of the bike, its the only way to go... I guess if you're riding mostly flat non-mountainous roads, commuting, or just scooting around town its no biggie, you'll never see the small differences anyway until something severe rears its head.

Asphalt · « **Reply #8 on:** December 09, 2006, 03:07:42 PM »

You might also concider a sterring stablizer...it works wonders.

aussiebandit · « **Reply #9 on:** December 10, 2006, 06:23:02 AM »

I agree with both suggetions that you get the steering head bearings checked and changing the front tyre.

I had the same problem with my 02B12 from new. Took it back to the shop a couple of times and finally one of the mechanics suggested that it may be the front tyre (a Macadam). Basically, he told me to put up with it until I can afford to replace it with something without a centre groove. I ran the tyre for 9000km and replaced it with a Metzler M1.

The B12 now has 31000km on it and I'm now on my 3rd M1 - ok they don't last the longest, but they are a great tyre - totally transformed the bike and have had no problems with a wobbling front end.

mattt · « **Reply #10 on:** December 10, 2006, 07:31:17 AM »

thanks for the advice. I am replacing the front tire, only done 200 miles on the rear so should just be like having a new set. I didnt get the wobbling before the rear was replaced and cant see it being the head bearings but i'll have a look. The way it iis at the moment its a danger to ride. cheers

Daytona · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2006, 10:10:52 AM »

Pump it up!! Max psi which is 42 and see if it changes! I bet it will. Center groove will make very little diff! The C groove is for track ability and will make life better on long hauls. Air pressure is the cure! The bandit's rake is the prob! It really needs a damper!!!

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #12 on:** December 10, 2006, 02:10:37 PM »

The only time I ever experienced strong steering wobble was when my previously owned GS650G front shock seals started to fail lost dampening in one fork tube compared to the other or uneven dampening, you may want to take a good look at your fork seals and when you pull the front wheel to put on that new tire, take the opportunity to work the fork tubes independently (remove fender and for brace) to see if you notice and major differences be between the tubes in dampening. If one is bad you should notice it.

DaveG · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2006, 10:06:27 AM »

i tired everthing and the cure was the front tire
will switch to m1 next time i am now a metzler convert.

if you have a mac 90 or 100 i will bet 100% on the tire.

mattt · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2006, 01:16:50 PM »

i have been running on conti road attacks with no problem, they dont have a center groove, but ive replaced with the same tires. Will let you know what happens.