Holly wobble

[Laminar]

Check the front wheel bearings, had the ones on my 95 750 go bad on me the other day and as soon as they popped I started to get a wobble/vibration on the front wheel, not a full blown tankslapper but still a very noticeable shaking up thru the handlebars.
Peace
Spike

I haven't tried quite everything that's been recommended in this thread, but to date have done:

2. Front wheel bearings

[Baileyman]

My '01 has the decel wobble too. I had the worn out steering bearings replaced and a new front tire installed. Still does it and no difference if my Givi box is mounted or not. I've learned to live with it.

Me too...how often do you take both hands off the bars!

Not often, but the bike feels a little less solid than I would like in corners.

[Baileyman]

I want to see that fork brace........   Shock mounts and or swing arm bearings... Man your going to have a new ride soon 

Tomb, I thought you had the Superbrace...I'll try to get a pic soon.

...and it is already practically a new ride, even with the wobble!

[Cherry Bomber]

Check the front wheel bearings, had the ones on my 95 750 go bad on me the other day and as soon as they popped I started to get a wobble/vibration on the front wheel, not a full blown tankslapper but still a very noticeable shaking up thru the handlebars.
Peace
Spike

I haven't tried quite everything that's been recommended in this thread, but to date have done:

2. Front wheel bearings

My bad, posted before reading the entire thread.
Peace
Spike

[Baileyman]

Time for me to bump this thread up again...Since my last series of posts I've been trying to reliably produce and figure out how to describe what I'm feeling on my bike with regards to this wobble.

This past weekend, I made sure the steering bearing nut is tightened down enough.  I didn't torque it down, but I tightened it as far as I could with the spanner wrench from the tool kit.  I then also got a spring scale to measure the force required to pull the wheel to each side, as measured from each fork.  That was all good.  I also checked the oil level in the forks and topped those off to correct volume.

There's a driveway that I turn into when going to work.  It's got a little bit of a lip and I always hit it when I'm slightly leaned over, or at least when the wheel is slightly turned.  What I feel is a little kick in the opposite direction than the wheel is turned.  It feels loose, like there's some play in the system somewhere.  I know the steering head bearings are good as I replaced them less than a couple thousand miles ago and I don't feel any pits when turning the wheel side to side.  I also know the front wheel bearings are good (replaced those around the same time).

The front end also feels a little twitchy when cornering, but I don't think it's the twitch that people talk about with regards to the 16" wheel.

It just doesn't feel solid under me in the corners.

What else could it be?  Bent forks, rim, frame?  What is causing this decel wobble / loose kick / twitchy cornering?  It is driving me crazy!  and might be the deciding factor in selling the bike...which is not my first choice as I've done lots and lots of work on her to get her running well, fixing leaks, replacing seals, engine work, etc...

I do have an offer from a member a little over an hour away to look at it...I just don't know when I can get up there...

Bailey

[Baileyman]

No other suggestions?  Maybe it's time to trouble shoot a little with my mechanic.  Thankfully he's happy to kick around some ideas with me without charging me $90/hour.

[genespleen]

Hi Baileyman.

What was your previous experience with cornering on a motorcycle--i.e., the standard against which you are measuring your current bike?  It may be a case that you are simply feeling the difference between 1980s technology, and more modern bikes.  Just a thought, of course...

It might also be worth turning attention to the rear suspension, including the swingarm pivot and bearings...rear things can feel like front things, sometimes.

best,
David

[Baileyman]

Thanks for the comments David.  True, I don't have lots else to compare it too, but I also ride a '78 CB400T that is nice and solid in the cornering and some time on a couple different scooters.  I think I'm feeling something that's just not right.  Maybe it's time to spend a little more time on the rear end.

I can check / replace swing arm bearings.  Any other suggestions?  Replacing any rubber shock mount bushings?  My impression is that these were all in good shape, but the truth is I don't know for sure...I have replaced so many bearings and rubber pieces that these might need some attention...

Thanks!
BaileyMan

[jeff]

I wonder if it cant be fixed because of the design of the forks and the front axle. What I am talking about is the axle is on the Bottom of the forks not out to the front of the forks. Offset. Does that make any sense. I had a old Honda threewheeler that didnt have front suspension. You could hardly turn the damn thing and it had alot of headshake when at speed. Honda made a kit that kicked the axle out front of the forks and what a difference. Kinda of a chopper look to it but only a couple of inches. I dont know if that makes any sense.

What I cant figure out is how so many Hondas have this problem. Gold Wings are worse. I have a buddy that has put hundreds of dollars in new bearings, braces tires, and other stuff that was suppose to fix it but it still does it on his 2007 Wing. My dads Gold Wing is unbelievable worst I have ever felt. I had a Sportster that you could let go at any speed with out even thinking about it. I dont get it.

[Laminar]

I wonder if it cant be fixed because of the design of the forks and the front axle. What I am talking about is the axle is on the Bottom of the forks not out to the front of the forks. Offset. Does that make any sense.

Traditionally called a "Leading Axle" fork. Steadier at speed, but slower turn-in.

[jeff]

Laminar, that is exactly what I was talking about. I didnt have time to look it up to know for sure. Its got to be something in the design because I have heard too many people that have done everything possible to get rid of it and it seems like it never really goes away. A freind of mine has a 1 year old Gold Wing barely ridden yet and it has a wobble. $20k for a bike and they say there is nothing wrong with it.

I wonder is there anyone in here that is a Honda mechanic that can say how often someone comes in with a wobble problem.

I love the NH but dang that wobble is driving me nuts.

[Baileyman]

Jeff, I'm there with you.  Love the NH, but that wobble 

It's not even that bad, and like I've said before it doesn't bother me on decel when I take my hands of the bars, because I don't usually do that.  It bothers me the most when I corner and get a little wobble.  I'm starting to get to the point where I'm more seriously considering a new bike.  If I could keep the NH as my Sunday driver, cool, but that may not be a possibility.

[Laminar]

Has anyone considered a steering damper?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Universal-Steering-Damper-6-steps-adjust-w-Blue-color-/130352953244?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e59a4379c#ht_5118wt_1002

[jeff]

I had a 2001 Jeep Cherokee ( the old style ) with less than 30K miles on it when I bought it. After about 5K miles I was driving down the road and out of the blue I hit a small bump and the front end started shaking so bad I went off the road (not on purpose). I mean I almost crapped myself. Looked online and some Jeep forums and found out there was a problem called DEATH WOBBLE in  those vehicles. Some had it some didnt. I spent $750 on parts from a very reputable aftermarket place that specialized in these Cherokees. Another $700 in new tires. Anyway it fixed it, but still didnt seem right. Finally said thats enough and sold it. Told the guy everything about the problem, and he said he was going to offroad the hell out of it anyway. My point is it is something in the design and probably cant be fixed so I got to decide to deal with it or get rid of it. Small things like that annoy me, some people it doesnt. For the money though a NH is hard to beat. There is a lot of bikes in the same price range, but I have a hard time finding one that is so good all around and good for 2 up riding.

Laminar, checked out the damper. Probably would work.

[Baileyman]

I've totally considered a steering damper.  The reason I haven't gone that route yet is that I haven't wanted to simply put a band-aid on the problem.  If there's an underlying problem, I would prefer to address that.  But maybe now it's time to go the steering damper route.  For ~$50, it's one of the cheaper options at this point...

[chromy]

I've totally considered a steering damper.  The reason I haven't gone that route yet is that I haven't wanted to simply put a band-aid on the problem.  If there's an underlying problem, I would prefer to address that.  But maybe now it's time to go the steering damper route.  For ~$50, it's one of the cheaper options at this point...

Three changes improved the wobble situation on my 83 650SC.
  1.  New front tire
  2.  Proper air pressure (inflate to max pressure stated on side wall of tire).
  3.  Progressive forks springs...  BIG DIFFERENCE

Good luck chasing those gremlins!

[Baileyman]

Hey Chromy,

I've totally been considering new fork springs.  The stock 27 year old ones are pretty soft.  I have wondered how they might affect how solid the bike feels in corners.

Thanks for your feedback!

[Baileyman]

This update is long overdue...but here it is...

I ended up making a socket out of I think 2" steel pipe to tighten the steering stem nut down with.  This seems to have done the trick.  I have to give myself a big smack on the forehead along with a loud "Doh!".  I probably should have tried this first, but I thought I had tightened that nut down well enough.  I got a spring scale and measured the number of pounds of force it took to turn the front wheel as described in the manual, and the numbers were in spec.  But the front end still felt a little loose to me.  I tightened the nut down to the point where the wheel won't easily fall over to either side when it's up on the center stand and I give it a little nudge.  There's much more resistance on the steering stem and the bike feels much better.

On the bright side, I got in there and replaced old bearings (wheel bearings and steering stem bearings), got new tires, and generally got the bike in really great shape for riding with confidence.