My New-to-me 1999 Interstate has a front end ... queerness

[Jabba]

I don't know how else to describe it.  It's got an E3 on the front, and a General Altimax HP 205/60/16 on the rear.  5K miles on the E3 probably.  The bike is a little prone to head shake.  It'll do it at certain speeds with my hands OFF the bars.  And I had a 100 MPH Headshake at the Whiskey Run that was sort of scary.  The bike has 34K miles on it. 

When riding yesterday, I noticed that it has a rhymic shudder a little bit going straight.  Meaning that it'll shudder a little, then smooth out... then shudder a little then smooth out.  When cornering to the left... it shakes pretty consistently, but when going RIGHT it's smooth as silk.

I am thinking replace the tire... 

What do you Valk-geniuses think?  AM I headed in the right direction?

Jabba

[Ferris Leets]

Could be cupping on one side but, whenever I hear about the headshake my first thought is to retorque the stem nut.  It is also cheaper than replacing a tire.

[Skinhead]

Jaba,

I have the same thing on a new to me "99 IS.  Had E3's front and rear when I got it.  Got into a 75mph near tank slapper when I picked the bike up and rode it home.  Found both tires @ 25psi.  Aired them up and it improved, but still there.  I switched the front wheel and tire from my 03 standard (Avon Venom, down to the wear bars) and the shimmy went away.  I put a car tire on the rear, which helped the straight shimmy tremendously, but it is still there in the turns (leaned over).  I still have the E3 on the front, but a new Metzler is in the garage ready to be installed as soon as the E3 is used up, or I get tired of it.

If it bothers you , I'd replace the E3 and never go back.

[Jabba]

If it bothers you , I'd replace the E3 and never go back.

That's my plan right now.  I have never been a fan of the Dunlop tires.  But crap... $200 for a FRONT tire? 

Kenda rear on the front maybe?  Hell I dunno.

The WORLD is getting too expensive for me to live in it anymore.

Jabba 

[roboto65]

Check the shock bushings Jabba thats what caused mine !!!

[Jabba]

Check the shock bushings Jabba thats what caused mine !!!

The REAR shock bushings?

Jabba

[roboto65]

Yes the rear bushings on top they are known to go and when I got mine fixed my speed wobble went away and I have had the same front tire Avon..   If you can see any gap between the washer and the eye on the shock they are bad !!

[hubcapsc]

That's my plan right now.  I have never been a fan of the Dunlop tires.  But crap... $200 for a FRONT tire? 

http://www.jakewilson.com has metzlers and avons for around $150.

Head shake can be from steering head, or from rear shocks. My buddy got it bad from loose spokes on
the rear of his Harley, but that's probably not your problem 

-Mike

[Spirited-6]

 And I had a 100 MPH Headshake at the Whiskey Run that was sort of scary.  The bike has 34K miles on it. 

Dang Jabba, a 100 MPH run on the roads we rode on would be scary W/O any shake. 

[Jabba]

Dang Jabba, a 100 MPH run on the roads we rode on would be scary W/O any shake. 

I was burning back to the hotel on I65 headed north and trying to catch Fudgie, Gunslinger and RoadKill.

They were running 90.  What was I supposed to do?

 

Jabba

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I've said it many times here before...I would'nt run Dunflops if they gave them to me with free mounting...Other than the Rivco center stand I don't think you could install anything more dangerous on a Valkyrie than that piece of s**t E3.

[jammer]

Jabba:

     Don't rule out the car tire as a possible cause.   I had a  new Good Year TTT give me a hiigh speed wobble on my 99 I/S.  May not have been balanced properly.  All I know is when I replaced it with an MC tire the problem was gone.   

G

[bigdog99]

jabba,
the kenda took out all my wobbliness.  it is back to 70 mph and no hands for me. i still have the E3 i took off and cant believe the flat spots on it. werent noticable on the bike. kenda for me. 

[Chrome]

Not everyone likes the E3 but I do.Never a problem but I guess the Avons like this Cobra of mine work well as long as they are holding air. Some might say E3's are crap but none of mine have ever let air go.
Adrian

[Jess from VA]

If you don't have obvious shock bushing wear/slop, I'll bet it's the E3.  Get another front tire, reg Metz or rear bias..... I'll bet it's gone with a new tire.

To rule out head bearing slop, put it up on the lift with the front wheel off the ground.  Sit down in front of the bike holding the front wheel centered.  Push fore-aft up-down on the wheel.... is there any slop?  If not, again the front E3 is my bet.  

You could try to save the tire with with a proper dose of dyna beads.  (probably thru the sidewall not the valve stem)  Might help.

Very seriously doubt it's a darkside symptom.

[Jabba]

It was there a little before I put the CT on it.  I rode it home from VA with front AND rear E3's. 

I am gonna order a Kenda tire today I guess.  I hate the thought of even MORE speedo inaccuracy, but the $240 price tag on a ME880 front Metzeler is putting me off.  yeah yeah... I can buy one for $153 online... then pay $65 to have someone mount and balance it. 

I have been thinking about swapping the ME880 front wheel AND tire off my standard onto the IS too, but I can't figure out how to get the front end of BOTH bikes in the air at the same time.

Jabba

[Cattman]

HDL is having a 10% off sale for the 4th. Direct Line Parts 2010 4th of July Sale 10% off all Orders with Merchandise Totaling Over $100 The Coupon Code is JULY4 . My Avon Cobra front is going on 14k and has many miles left. The Cycle Outfitters on Madison ave only charges $25-30 to mount and balance tires off the bike and will do new tires you carry in. Make sure and get some dyna beads to replace the wheel weights, they will install these for you too.

[Jabba]

HDL is having a 10% off sale for the 4th. Direct Line Parts 2010 4th of July Sale 10% off all Orders with Merchandise Totaling Over $100 The Coupon Code is JULY4 . My Avon Cobra front is going on 14k and has many miles left. The Cycle Outfitters on Madison ave only charges $25-30 to mount and balance tires off the bike and will do new tires you carry in. Make sure and get some dyna beads to replace the wheel weights, they will install these for you too.

Yeah... a ME880 is $188 at HDL.  less 10% is still $169.  Plus the mounting.  If I was gonna use dyna beads in the front (I have them in the rear) I COULD mount it myself, or send it to the Ray Skillman Museum with Wess Wells http://www.nhra.com/drivers/motorcycle/Wesley-Wells/  (My next door neighbor) and have him do it for me.

It's REALLY unlike me to be this wishy-washy.  But money is tight.  The economy has been tough.  While lucky to still be working, there have been NO raises in 3 years, but EVERYTHING gets more expensive.  The last set of tires I bought at HDL was less than $300 for BOTH tires.  Sheesh!!

Jabba

[Jabba]

OK... I jumped off the bridge and ordered the Kenda tire today.  Supposed to arrive Friday from Dennis Kirk.  $73.98.  I'll get it put on next week probably.

I plan to run it backwards too.  So that'll make me a double dark-sider on one bike, and a single dark-sider on the other.

I am a triple Dark-Sider.  Or... if you ask Big-Al... a Triple threat!

Jabba

[bigdog99]

Jabba,   thats a dark sided bass ackward rider. and you can ride with me any day!

[Willow]

What you've described has been known to be caused by an underinflated NMCS rear tire, loose or worn steering head bearings, or worn shock bushings.  I seriously doubt it has anything to do with your front tire.

It does seem to occur more often with Interstates than with Standards.  It may be the distribution of weight, air passing over and under the fairing, or a combination of both that makes them more susceptible.

I had the experience on my previous Istate.  I could count on it at 110 indicated.  I was running motorcycle tires front and rear, but had a loose stearing head.

You should know that I am no expert and I did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.   YMMV

[Jabba]

I aired up a little this AM prior to 250 miles with the SO on it today... I left with 36 PSI in it (NMST)and the bike was pretty much flawless, except for a little bit of left turn wiggle.  Still there. 

I'll tell you this... My Interstate will aparently go 200 miles with BOTH of us on it, at REASONABLE speeds, NOT on the highway... and that is WAY too far for my ASS.

I need some advise from you long haulers... and you LIGHT load guys need not repond.  270 lbs and up please. 

I am thinking about trying a bead seat cover.

Jabba

[Cliff]

LOL,, well Jabba you and I are of the large rear end group    .  I started with a Mustang 2 piece seat on the I/S which was great for medium haul days of 4-6 hours max.  Recently changed over to the Russell day long built on a stock I/S seat pan……!!! Wow,,,, what an improvement!!!!!!!!  Especially for the passenger (my honey) but the driver improvement is sweet, 12 hours in the saddle is no longer an issue of either on of us!!!!  Just sharing my opinion based on personal experience,, we will be at Inzane if you want to check it out.  We arrive Tuesday evening and stay till Sunday Morning.

[Jess from VA]

This is better than any particular seat, and way cheaper.  You float on air... all day.

http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=1278127887.15713&pid=2299&product=AirHawk  (new polyurethane air bladder)

http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=1278127887.15713&pid=2278&product=AirHawk  (neoprene rubber cushion; what I use... with Ultimate seats)

[Ricky-D]

Actually for long hauls a harder seat is much better on your butt.

A seat that will not extrude over a period of time and start to put pressure on your tailbone.

I've a Diamond that I use for long trips and it's great, Just a bit of a pain to get my feet on the ground. Not good for local riding, having to slide up and back at all the stops.

Sure is nice to be able to change position with the big Diamond and the rider seat is also the same.

***

[Jabba]

I did another 135 or so today with the SO.  NMCS tire was aired up to about 40 psi.  Bike rode great, other than just a little bit of wiggle inthe left turns still.  Now I noticed that I am onto the wear bars, AND that there's a little bit of dry cracking in the hollows of the tread grooves...   so it's time for the E3 to go away anyway.  That ends the debate.  I have the Kenda rear in my possession and we're gonna give her a try starting this week.  We'll see how it goes, and I'll let ya'll know what I think about being a triple threat Dark-sided, bass-ackwards rear tire rider.

jabba

[X Ring]

OK guys, I'm feeling a little dense at quarter to 4 in the morning.  NMCS?  Non M/C Specific?

Marty

[MP]

Jabba:

I have a Kenda rear on the way. To put on the front.  Plan to put it on Friday, before heading to Inzane, let us know how you like it, in case I do not want to put it on!

MP

[Jabba]

OK guys, I'm feeling a little dense at quarter to 4 in the morning.  NMCS?  Non M/C Specific?

Marty

Yeah... NMCS  Non-Motorcycle Specific.  Some of us darksider are on a campaign to stop calling them CAR tires.  That imply's that they are NOT apropriate for MC use, which, many of us believe they are.  Thus...

NMCS tires instead of CT.

Jabba

[Spirited-6]

NMCS tires instead of CT.

That`s cute ! 

[X Ring]

Now we are going the way of PC BS?

[Jabba]

Nah... not really.  Most of us care LESS what other people think... thus why we rode a valk and not a lemming cycle.  And NMCS tire riders obviously don't believe what other people say or think.  We just get tired of explaining to people over and over and over about how and WHY they DO work on bikes.  That's all.

Not meant to be cute.  OK... well a little bit.

Jabba

[X Ring]

Most the responses I get are people asking the advantages and wanting to know how they can do it.

Marty

[Jabba]

Most the responses I get are people asking the advantages and wanting to know how they can do it.

Marty

I get some like that... but I get more of the "You're gonna die in a horrible flaming, fiery death." sort of talk. 

There was a thread on the general board a couple months ago about insurance and how it treats claims with car tires...  I actually ASKED my insurance people.  Many people thought that was a bad idea.  That's where the whole NMCS tire thing came from.  Willow's idea actually I think. 

Jabba

[fudgie]

"You're gonna die in a horrible flaming, fiery death." sort of talk. 

Is there a non-horrible flaming fiery death?  ??? 

[Jabba]

Is there a non-horrible flaming fiery death?  ??? 

My guess is no... but I imagine it's POSSIBLE.  Smack... unconscious... then burn to death while asleep.  Probably not so bad.

 

NOT that I want to test the theory.

Jabba

[X Ring]

Most the responses I get are people asking the advantages and wanting to know how they can do it.

Marty

I get some like that... but I get more of the "You're gonna die in a horrible flaming, fiery death." sort of talk. 

There was a thread on the general board a couple months ago about insurance and how it treats claims with car tires...  I actually ASKED my insurance people.  Many people thought that was a bad idea.  That's where the whole NMCS tire thing came from.  Willow's idea actually I think. 

Jabba

I get looks of horror from the majority of owners of that Milwaukee brand but the metric owners are the ones doing the asking.  It's even more interesting when my buddy Christian is around.  He a MSF instructor and tells them about students that pass his ERC with DarkSided bikes.  I do get questions from those Milwaukee bike owners that seriously ride and are as tired of getting low mileage out of their tires. 

Marty

[fudgie]

Is there a non-horrible flaming fiery death?  ??? 

My guess is no... but I imagine it's POSSIBLE.  Smack... unconscious... then burn to death while asleep.  Probably not so bad.

 

NOT that I want to test the theory.

Jabba

Nah, my cousin went that way when he hit a tree along our field. He went that way and fast, thx god. But it wasnt pretty when we pulled him out........

[Jabba]

Nah, my cousin went that way when he hit a tree along our field. He went that way and fast, thx god. But it wasnt pretty when we pulled him out........

Suck.  Sorry dude.  That's a crappy deal.  Sorry it made it's way into this thread.

Jabba