Not on the Valk. 1300 VTX handlebar slap

[Moonshot_1]

New to us 07 1300 vtx. Nice bike. Wife's bike. Private sale 2 months ago.

When my hands are on the handlebar, all seems well. No vibration, no wiggle. Don't even feel it.

Lift my hands off the handlebars and we're seconds from all hell breaking loose. Severe handlebar slap. Just the lightest touch of the hand, and it goes away.

Seemed to be really minor and related to the roadway early on.
Tonight I washed it, took it out for a drive and hoo-boy, it ain't right fer sure.

Still can't feel any vibes or wobbles when hands are on, but when they are off we are shaking in about a second and a half. Again, all is well with hands on. Even the lightest of touch. Well, nearly the lightest of touch.

Doing some research on this site, I find similar issues have been tire related.
Am going to look into that tomorrow.

Opening this up for further insight from you folks so tomorrow I can go out armed with a clue.

[sandy]

Check the simple stuff first. Tire pressure (40F-42R). How many miles? Could be worn stem bearings. Look at rear shock bushings. These things wear every 10-15K. As for tires, it could be old tires are delaminating.

[whitestroke]

I had a 03 VTX 1300 ...The OEM bearing in the steering head look like there for a bicycle. I replaced them with the VTX 1800 roller bearing and shake went away. Also check shock bushings.

[flsix]

Also had an 03 X and put 37K on it. Same bar problem and when I changed out the slightly scalloped front tire all was well.
Good luck.

[Firefighter]

My Valk did that when I first bought it, tightened the steering head bearings just a touch and it all went away. If its too tight the bike wanders back and forth, too loose and handle bar shake (slap) , at least that was my experience. Bearings can develope a flat spot and need replacing, but might just need adjusting.  Firefighter

[Chiefy]

I had a 03 VTX 1300 ...The OEM bearing in the steering head look like there for a bicycle. I replaced them with the VTX 1800 roller bearing and shake went away. Also check shock bushings.

I also had a VTX 1300.  Whitestroke is 100% correct, it's caused by the head bearings.  Do a google search for alternate sources of roller bearings.

This IS the problem.  Don't waste time with other stuff.

[Moonshot_1]

The head bearings on the 1300 and 1800 are inter-changeable? Or is there modifications necessary?

This is the front running solution. It would explain how the lightest touch calms the problem down.

If it were a tire, I'd think I'd be feeling it trying to shake.

[Chiefy]

The head bearings on the 1300 and 1800 are inter-changeable? Or is there modifications necessary?

This is the front running solution. It would explain how the lightest touch calms the problem down.

If it were a tire, I'd think I'd be feeling it trying to shake.

I don't know if they are interchangeable.  But it's a well known issue with the 1300, and google will reveal aftermarket roller bearing fixes.

[Moonshot_1]

Wow, after doing the research, I can't believe Honda didn't do a recall on this.

Man, this can get serious in a flash. I could count to two before things got nearly uncontrollable. And this was at 20 mph.

Got the new roller bearings ordered. Seems this is the fix.

Thanks for the input.

[flsix]

A lot of the VTX guys are going with All Balls bearings. Try a search and you should be all set.

[Moonshot_1]

A lot of the VTX guys are going with All Balls bearings. Try a search and you should be all set.

Got an All Balls bearing kit ordered. Again, thanks for the quick input. I love this site.

[Jess from VA]

All Balls is Chinese parts.  FWIW

[Flrider]

I had a 1300 VTX and also changed to All Balls bearings and that took care of the problem.

You should go to VTXOA.COM or VTXCAFE.COM

lots of good information and helpful folks as well.

[Moonshot_1]

All Balls is Chinese parts.  FWIW

Honda is a Japanese Motorcycle.

They should be compatible now.

The war is over.

[Jess from VA]

The war is over.

I was not raising trade war or patriotic issues, only the quality of parts.  Yes it is Japanese, and I have only used HDL (Honda - Japanese made) bearings (on both bikes), which like some American made bearings, are tier one quality.  All Balls is not.   Though there are undoubtedly thousands of happy customers. 

I did say FWIW.  Never mind.

[Moonshot_1]

The war is over.

I was not raising trade war or patriotic issues, only the quality of parts.  Yes it is Japanese, and I have only used HDL (Honda - Japanese made) bearings (on both bikes), which like some American made bearings, are tier one quality.  All Balls is not.   Though there are undoubtedly thousands of happy customers. 

I did say FWIW.  Never mind.

I know, but it was a straight line and, if you follow my postings, I must use them.