Death Wobble, wobble, wobble...

[Oklahoma_Valk]

Hey gents.

Just as I was beginning to blame my (awesome looking) darkside tire (205/55 R16 Uniroyal Tourer) for the handling issues I've been having at high speeds (death wobble at 80+) I figured something out!!

In reading another thread, I discovered that "shock bushings" can be the cause of this high speed wobble. I went out to the garage, and sure enough....bushings are toast.

FYI: Im running 1997 Valk Standard 71k miles on the ODO (i just bought it) and all suspension is still STOCK. The idget-ball that I bought it from told me repeatedly "I take it to Honda dealership every 3k miles for service"

Well....I guess the dealership doesnt check shock/strut bushings.

So now I'm passing this info along....so that all others may know the danger of worn shock/strut bushings. I'll be ordering new sets soon....any help as to where I could order from would be appreciated.

[sugerbear]

http://www.xf6-custom.com/partpages/bushings.html

also a club sponsor, 

[Oklahoma_Valk]

http://www.xf6-custom.com/partpages/bushings.html

also a club sponsor, 

Thanks sugerbear. I'll be putting in an order first thing in the A.M.

[GOOSE]

you will be happy with his bushings.  he sells the top bushings....if your lower bushings are worn, then order you a pair of stock bushings for the bottom.  with daryl's poly bushings up top, you will never have to replace a bushing again.  I've been running his now for several years, and NO WEAR AT ALL.

[Jabba]

Yep.

They are important.

Good luck.  WAY WAY glad it didn't KILL you.

Jabba

[old2soon]

Yuppers the handling on our fat ladies gets REAL interesting with the worn out shock bushings. Might want to pull that rear end apart and check splines O rings pinion cup u joint. Carolina bike and trike for the O ring set. And B T W-welcome to the insanity.  After you have been here a bit you will find a few here that have service done at the dealers. By and large most of us do our own service. This board is a wealth of information. Every once in awhile it's about our Valkyries.  Again-welcome and RIDE SAFE.

[Gryphon Rider]

Do a search for "VTX shock bushings" on this board and you will find an inexpensive alternative that is much more durable than OEM Valkyrie bushings and can be ordered at any Honda dealer.  I have these in the top eyes of my shocks.

[Michvalk]

Wouldn't hurt to check the stearing bearing adjustment

[Jess from VA]

F6C is certainly better, but there's these too:

http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/product.asp?pid=44477&str=2&ID=751928547

[Oklahoma_Valk]

Thanks for all the great info guys. As soon as the weather gets cooler, I plan to tear the fat lady down and replace all things worn/torn/broken.

Thanks for the replies!