front end wobble

[Firefighter]

Hello everyone, owned a 2000 interstate for two years. Always had a high speed wobble or front end oscillation at 100 and above. Also would give me handle bar shake at any speed if were to let go of the bars. I recently found the steering bearings very loose. I have tightened and loosened (adjusted several times), this took care of the handle bar shake, but has done nothing for the high speed wobble. The last couple of rides I am noticing below 45 mph road walking. Worst thing ever. Wears me out to ride. Like steering bearings too tight. Have read old posts till I am tired. Bike has 33000 miles. Today I rode and came home, lifted the bike and checked the tire run out. Both front and rear avon cobras are not perfectly round. running 40 pounds of air. What will these out of round tires do to handling? thanks

[old2soon]

Check the shock bushings. If they are not centered they be worn out. Had similar wobble on my I/S and shock bushings fixed problem. hope this helps. RIDE SAFE.

[Firefighter]

Thanks, I looked quickly but will have to unbolt the bracket that wraps around the bags to see the bushings. I know I still need to check things,, all it takes is time.

[Firefighter]

I meant wobble, still think its the shock bushings?

[valkyriemc]

Replace 'em their cheap and easy to do.

[Daniel Meyer]

Steering head bearings are indexed and need replaced. Classic symptoms...too loose and you get the shake, also get damaged. Too tight (or damaged/indexed) you get hunting.

When you replace them, new bearings, lube wel, torque them using the procedure in the manual EXACTLY, retorque them at 10,000 miles, and they'll be good for the life of the bike.

[Ricky-D]

Both front and rear avon cobras are not perfectly round. running 40 pounds of air. What will these out of round tires do to handling?

What more do you need to convince you?

***

[Earl in Pensacola]

Sure sounds like you've had some good cause and cure suggestions.  Here one more possibility:  I once had an "out-of-round" situation and got the same problems you're experiencing.  If all else fails, take the most out-of-round tire off, break the bead, rotate the tire and carefully rebalance and remount.  Test the bike, if problem still there do the other tire the same way.

[Farther]

I would think that if you have out of round tire that the manufacturer should do something right by you.  I would recommend that you contact the dealer or manufacturer for an adjustment.  Although it would be highly unusual for both tires to be out of round.

[Firefighter]

I raised the bike off the ground and spun both tires. I placed a socket under each tire so as to check run out. both tires were some what out of round.

[Chiefy]

Thanks, I looked quickly but will have to unbolt the bracket that wraps around the bags to see the bushings. I know I still need to check things,, all it takes is time.

If you can't see the bushings with everything bolted up, they are okay.  If they were bad, you'd see the bushing without having to unbolt.

[popsix]

I raised the bike off the ground and spun both tires. I placed a socket under each tire so as to check run out. both tires were some what out of round.

Typically that will give you a hopping sensation, sometimes speed sensitive; forks and/or shocks moving up and down but not caused by bumps or dips in the road surface. It can be really annoying. When both are out-of-round, they can interact and cause a cyclical smooth - hop - smooth - hop due to the different circumferences of the two tires.
I'd probably address the tire situation first unless the shock bushings are obviously whacked. Either try a remount/balance or get new rubber. Sometimes rotating the tire(s) on the wheel(s) 90 degrees and a good balance job will cure it, sometimes not, depending on how out-of-round they are. [I caution to add that a remount might even make the situation worse if the wheel(s) themselves are not adequately round. Stuff can happen; curbs can be jumped!] While the wheels are off I'd check the wheel bearings too. Once I had good, round tire/wheel assemblies, I would investigate the steering head, etc. Of course this is all just MHO. Good luck!

[Challenger]

On my I/S Inoticed if I let go of the handle bars for just a second the bars would start shaking, Never gave any other signs of problem, so I did nothing, After replacing the front tire last year, I can ride several miles on any surface with no hands on the bars. Other than a slight cupping, the tire looked normal.

[Ricky-D]

Some times you can reduce the tire pressure to dampen the effect you feel from a poor tire.

An out of round tire is made out of round at the tire factory, and it's the laying up of the plies and cords and belts which are not in close enough alignment to each other and to the bead.

You feel it as a bounce but it really is a weakness in some part of the sidewall that allows the tire to flex or compress more when in contact with the road with the bikes weight doing the work.

My experience is that the Dunlop was the most notable when discussing these kind of problems.

***

[Firefighter]

I think maybe my tires are more cupped than out of round. I notice no bounce when I ride, except at 35 mph or so, I have always had a little front end hop. As for my shock bushings, I have already ordered them and will replace regardless, that way I will know. The bracket I talked about blocking my view of these bushings is the rear saddle bag bracket and completely restricts my view of these bushings. I think my problem will be the steering bearings. I really appreciate every ones response. Any of you guys live in deep south Texas. I am in Harlingen, any further south is Mexico. Don't meet any Valks down here. Thanks again.

[wild6]

I think maybe my tires are more cupped than out of round. I notice no bounce when I ride, except at 35 mph or so, I have always had a little front end hop. As for my shock bushings, I have already ordered them and will replace regardless, that way I will know. The bracket I talked about blocking my view of these bushings is the rear saddle bag bracket and completely restricts my view of these bushings. I think my problem will be the steering bearings. I really appreciate every ones response. Any of you guys live in deep south Texas. I am in Harlingen, any further south is Mexico. Don't meet any Valks down here. Thanks again.

You can remove the bolt and then pull back the bracket (it gives enough) to see the bushings.  No need to jack up the bike.