Wobble

Hey Can any DS give me a clue? This is my 2nd General Grabber on my 1300c, last one got me 27k miles. I have a Batwing fairing and before I changed the tire due to wear the bike handled great with a few buffering. Now with the new tire with 3oz beads I am getting some top wobble around 70mph up front on the interstate. When the road gets a little bumpy or changing lanes over the drunk bumps it get squirrelly. I stopped and added more air to the front Metz which is about 2 mo old to a 38psi and checked the back set at 38. It was night so I didnt feel like getting back on the interstate to test, will do tomorrow but wanted some input

Cal, first the front should be running about 41 psi.

Have you done the all balls steering stem bearing yet?

The biggest culprit we find is the rear shock bushings. It is an easy check. Look at the shock mount bolt holes and if the bolts are not centered you need to change your bushings. Most folks go with a poly or teflon replacement, there are a few that are running aluminum even.

What air pressure were you running in the old tire? If it is the same tire, model and all , don't change that just yet. Keep it where it was.

Another cause could be a change, no matter how slight, in the aerodynamics of your scoot, add on any extras recently?

This should be enough info for you to get us started troubleshooting your wobble

See you out there
Smokey

Check your rear shock bushings

I ran a Grabber for about 17000 on my C, 40psi in front Metz and about 38psi in the Grabber.
I would check shock bushings first. I used the McMaster Nylon bushings until I switched to Progressive 440s.
Is the Batwing a new addition?

Thanks for the input. Smoky, I have 37k miles on my bike and the stem bearings seem fine When I checked with the front off the ground.I am aware that the all balls bearings is in my future. My Front metz I added more air and the ride didn't improve, so i went back to the recommended psi listed on the driveshaft and that seems to help, not so many wobbles at 75-80 mph. I running 38psi in the rear which was the same psi i had in the last general grabber 205/70/15(27k on it). I really think the 3oz dynabeads are not doing the job.The tire might not be balanced. I think I will go back to the MC shop and have them use regular weights and re balance the tire. As far as the shock bushings, I visually checked them and shook them and they seem solid with no movement t them again now that I know what to look for but I will look a Like I mentioned, I did add a Batwing fairing but with the old tire still on the bike, I didn't experience this at all. The only change is the new tire. So logically I need to start there right?

Cal, throw logic out the window. When you are checking shock bushings all you have to do is look at the mounting bolts, if they are not centered they are bad. I cant imagine a bike with 37K on it not needing shock bushings. Mine were wore out at about 15K. Then I wore out the ones on my progressive shocks in about 10k. The new tire is just emphasizing a preexisting condition. If you already put dyna beads in your tire they wont be able to balance it without dismounting the tire from the rim and cleaning the beads out. here is no need to do that though. Your trouble is most likely somewhere else.

Good luck

See you out there
Smokey

smokey2255 wrote:Cal, throw logic out the window. When you are checking shock bushings all you have to do is look at the mounting bolts, if they are not centered they are bad. I cant imagine a bike with 37K on it not needing shock bushings. Mine were wore out at about 15K. Then I wore out the ones on my progressive shocks in about 10k. The new tire is just emphasizing a preexisting condition. If you already put dyna beads in your tire they wont be able to balance it without dismounting the tire from the rim and cleaning the beads out. here is no need to do that though. Your trouble is most likely somewhere else.

Good luck

See you out there
Smokey

ON what Smokey said!!! If you have stock shock bushings....they are definitely bad!!!


.......................bobby

Yes, no way there are 37,000 on the shock bushings and they aren't bad. New ones should help you out!

Ok I think I have it figured out. I took the BW fairing off due to electrical problem with the wally world radio, anyway I rode the bike with no shield(hated it) at 80,90 100 mph and no wobble at all. So I ruled out tire inbalance on CT and the MT. THe shock bushing look good. So I put the BW fairing back on but this time raised it on the forks and additional piece of rubber between the fairing and the forks. Tighten them real good. ROde to West Palm form Jax on I95 with pass and wobble even on construction pavement. I marked the location so if I have to take it off I have a reference, I have 38k miles on bike

Thanks for posting this. I'm fairly sure that the fuel cell on my Concours is a cause of my wobble at very high speeds, but since that occurs at 100 MPH, I can only realistic ride that speed in some of the Western states, so it'll probably stay on the back.

Hi fellow VTXers. My dreaded wobble show up on my run to Biketoberfest this past weekend in Daytona. I rode to our meeting spot and checked the tire pressure ft was at 32psi and rear was 34. I increased the front to 38 and rear to about 40. Went on my with my club down I95 and suddenly the I get the front end wobble at 90(not actual speed due to CT and Honda defect). I had to back off throttle to get it stable. Now I was in the Hammer lane riding staggering on the left side of my lane. I95 is pretty smooth and I could go awhile without it doing it, but when the road started to curve or wind or vehicle turbulence it would return causing me to back off giving the appearance of a newbie rider who could't keep up,Very irritating. When we were leaving I stopped and checked the pressure again in both tires ft:38 and rear was the same. I bumped to 41, Rode back at night and still the wobble at speeds of 80+.Since my last post I replaced the rear shock bushing with the Nylons ones and bike was good for some 3000miles until now. I think I am going to take the bike to Stealer and have them re balance the tires and check the front and rear bearings. I would like to change the neck bearings but I have a big trip to Texas Bike rally in November and don't think I can do or afford to have someone do it in time for the road trip. Sorry for the long post but any help or suggestions would be helpful. How long does it take to do the job for a person who is mech inclined but lacks the right tools do do the job?