Weebles and the Wobbles

[blackdogbrian]

Morning All,
Technical question for you... what should I check first?

Yesterday I was out on a 1k km ride, and while at highway speeds I noticed on of my fellow riders (on a honda areo) was able to take both hands off the bars for a moment or two. Not reccomended for certain.... but I never felt I had the ability to do it. So, monkey see monkey...

I loosened my grip and held my hands around the bars (effectively letting go) and quickly my bars started shaking side to side at an increasing rate. Long story short - If I pulled my hands away I'd be down in moments.
Not that I want to try and ride no hands - but to me this sounds like something isn't right with my stearing - and I want to resolve that for anytype of riding!

Details:
2005 nomad 1500 FI
I've had it for one year - not sure what work the previous owner did.
It is getting due for new rubber front and rear, but there is still some life left.
I don't know if wheels are still balanced.
I am riding with front fairing (HD) mounted with chuckster's brackets.

Based on this - what would you suggest I try first to resolve? I'm really hoping it isnt' the fairing that is causing all of this play.

Suggestions?
B.

[redjay]

I have an 05 and have never experienced the handlebar shakes that some do. I can drive the bike no handed for a long way on a straight road if I desire to do so. I do not have an aftermarket windshield, just the stocker.

I would check your steering head bearings for play first. If you dont know how to do that raise the front wheel off the ground. With the forks in the cente position grab the bottom of the forks and push and pull towards the engine. Feel for any free play. Check for any roughness or binding in the lock to lock position or excessive slop. Adjust as necessary and go for another ride to see if there is any difference.

[VulcanE]

B, I also have an '05 with a fairing, and I had the same issue as you. It could be any number of things, or combination of things. example... cupped front or rear tire, excessive slop in the swing arm, worn or loose steering head bearings. My issue was solved buy replacing the steering head bearings and races. The bottom bearing and race was shot, so I replaced the bearings and races (always replace the races when replacing a bearing) and tightened to specs. Still had the problem, and thought to myself that the bearings couldn't be tight enough. The 1600 uses the same bearings as the 1500. The book torque spec for the 1500 is ~14 ft lbs, and for the 1600 is 43 INCH POUNDS. So I torqued them to the 1500 specs, and now I can ride down the road with my arms spread eagle if I want to. Just some things to consider........ Good luck

BTW, they call it "The Death Wobble" or "Tank Slap" http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

[blackdogbrian]

Thanks folks, keep the input coming!
I just read the other post with the link to the harely news report.
If possible, I don't want to get into a debate on this thread - but limit this to suggestions on how to improve a nomad.

Your suggestions on steering heads and bearings is great!
What have others done - are there any other key things to do?

I'd like to correct the situation now B4 anything happens - this isn't something I am willing to mess around with.

Thanks

[landman]

corrected mine completely by replacing the tires with dunlop e-3 bias.now
have 10,000 miles on these tires and still no headshake.

[rickyboy]

First off let me just say I "ain't no mechanic".
I was watching a show on TV just last night on the subject of building a bike. They said the most important thing is balance and is usually the main factor in handling. I think this might come into play in your situation.
I ride an '06 with a fairing and tour pak and haven't had any issues like you speak of. BUT!!! I don't often take more than one hand off the bars for long. I know I have had people look at the bike and question whether or not the bike was meant to carry a fairing and tour pak., and ask about handling. I'll be watching this thread in hopes of learning more.

[MAS Tequila]

I'll lay odds that the rear tire needs replacing now. It can have tread and still be shot.

What are your shocks set at?

Many times the front end issues result from the tail wagging the dog.

I had a similar situation and a new rear tire and a set of progressive shocks took care of it.

MT

[rickyboy]

I have been thinking of switching it up to progressive shocks too. Is it a huge job?

[cactusjack]

My 2007 had the handlebar shimmy since day 1. It wasn't until I tightened the steering head bearings that I got it to go away. After that, I could take my hands off the bars for as long as I <s>wanted</s> dared with no shimmy.

[nomadwest]

Two things I discovered about mine. Yes it will start to shake violently when slightly lifting both hands off the bars. I noticed that right after I replaced my tires for the first time, the shake was gone. Now with these same tires nearing their end, the shake is there again. Another thing I noticed, if you put it into neutral while moving, letting it coast, then the shaking will stop. This tells me it's something to do with the tires or the torque of the motor from the shaft side on the left side of the rear wheel. Just my observations. I wonder if the belt drive might not emiminate it on the newer nomads?
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt36/dudewest/Img_0066-small.jpg

[ray2]

No wobbles yet on my 2010 nomad. But if I meet a cattle truck on the road better be hanging on it feels like it could go into a wobble. The wind blowes this bike around alot more than other bikes I have had. 1/4ing head winds and 1/4ing tail winds are the worst. I ride solo no air in shocks and damper set on #3 40LBS air front and back tire.

[crapper]

i also had the death wobble and after having had many diffirent bikes over the years that never wobbled , wobbly bikes are just plain scarry .
changing tires and rear shock changes and swing arm service didn't do a thing for the wobble.
however, tightening the steering bearing did do the trick and seems to me the bike just tracks better at cruising speed and especially at slow speed..................steering bearing ,,,,its an easy fix

[MAS Tequila]

I have been thinking of switching it up to progressive shocks too. Is it a huge job?

About 45 minutes.

MT