Front end wobble

pharmdad · 07-30-2013, 04:19 PM

I need some help with a front end wobble. I have a 2006 nomad with a chuckster single plate and V&H dual baggers. My front end wobbles at low speed. It seems to go away at about
30 mph. It handles fine otherwise. I'm on a road trip about 1000 miles from home and l don't really want to pay any shop time.
Any input would be helpful.

I joined the forum when l bought my nomad last year. I don't post much but l read almost daily. Ya'll have taught me a lot about the nomad and saved me a lot of time and headaches with your knowledge and hints.

**Top Cat** · 07-30-2013, 04:53 PM

Not going to help you much but mine is in the shop right now trying to fix the same problem.
I put a new Cobra on and I don't know if that caused the bike to wobble at slow speed or not but something is wrong.
If I let go of the bars at higher speeds they wobble so bad if I don't grab back on it would turn into a tank slapper.
It only takes a second or two for it to start wobbling enough to scare me.
I was riding with my wife yesterday and told her to pull up next to me on a 4 lane and watch my bars when I let go. Her eyes got wide and she said holy crap you need to quit riding that and get it in the shop

I'll let you know what they find out and keep us posted as to your problem and possible fix.

pharmdad · 07-30-2013, 05:00 PM

I don't feel a wobble at higher speeds but then again l haven't let go of the bars either.

**Top Cat** · 07-30-2013, 05:47 PM

Try it, but don't let go for long

I don't feel the wobble at higher speeds either but when I let go of the bars on my previous 07 Nomad with 88000 miles on it it never wobbled.
This one does so something is surly wrong

zoom45 · 07-30-2013, 06:00 PM

Sounds like a bad tire. You could also have one front brake caliper sticking that could cause it. If not the caliper it could be a front brake hose.

Zoom45

cactusjack · 07-30-2013, 06:00 PM

It's the V&H dual baggers!

Seriously, I'm going to say it's your steering head bearings. They need to be inspected, and if there are no problems with them they need to be adjusted tighter.

waterman · 07-30-2013, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

It's the V&H dual baggers!

Seriously, I'm going to say it's your steering head bearings. They need to be inspected, and if there are no problems with them they need to be adjusted tighter.

Same thought here.

**ringadingh** · 07-30-2013, 07:16 PM

Ive checked and replaced everything possible on my bike to cure the problem, the only time a get a few months relief is when I install a new front tire.
It doesn't matter if the fairing is mounted, or the windshield, or nothing at all, it still wobbles, and has since Ive owned the bike.
Wait untill you try a big sweeping bend on the interstate at about 90mph, that will make you pucker real good, especially if you cross an expansion crack.
I won't take my bike over 80mph anymore,its just to much worry.

recumbentbob · 07-30-2013, 07:36 PM

My money is on the front tire.
I have an aVon Cobra radial on the front, It has 8000 miles on it.
Last week if I just barely hold the bars at 25-30 MPH the handlebars oscillate. Speed up and it stops.

It's the front tire causing this.
I got 18,000 miles out of my last Avon Cobra.

My solution is to hold the bars and not worry about it unless it gets a lot worse or develops a high speed wobble then I'll change the tire.

Bob

pharmdad · 07-30-2013, 08:16 PM

Thinking maybe steering bearings?

**markclark57** · 07-30-2013, 08:19 PM

My '06 gets an occasional wobble above 90 mph. I've already replaced the steering head bearings. Turns out the OEM's were nearly dry from the factory. So now I try not to go that fast.

BTW, (It's been mentioned before) If you get into a high speed wobble, do not use your front break, that makes it worse. Slow down by usung the engine or the rear brake. Push on one side of the bars a little harder than the other. (most of us call that "Counter Steering") It will make you swerve a bit, but you'll come out of the wobble.

pharmdad · 07-30-2013, 09:34 PM

Pardon my ignorance but would a worn or loose steering bearing be more of a safely issue or an annoyance

cactusjack · 07-30-2013, 09:47 PM

Both.

id-man · 07-30-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharmdad

Pardon my ignorance but would a worn or loose steering bearing be more of a safely issue or an annoyance

Not good regardless what you call it. My first thought would be shot tire - only because I've had that exact symptom and new tires solved it completely. Curious, did this start suddenly or has it been iffy for a while and getting progressively worse? It sucks that you're in the middle of a road trip...if it is a tire it's not likely to get suddenly worse, just a very gradual deterioration. You might be ok to slow down and monitor the situation till you can schedule a replacement, but we don't know if it is the tire or not so don't assume anything. Inspect the things you can plainly see as people suggested, brake caliper hanging slightly, perhaps due to a brake hose being swelled (not letting caliper release fully), play in the front end, uneven wear on either front or back tire especially cupping.

jandreu · 07-30-2013, 10:12 PM

Could also be fork alinement. Is your tire straight with the fender sides, same clearance front to back?

07-30-2013, 04:19 PM	#1
pharmdad Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Wa Posts: 17	Front end wobble I need some help with a front end wobble. I have a 2006 nomad with a chuckster single plate and V&H dual baggers. My front end wobbles at low speed. It seems to go away at about 30 mph. It handles fine otherwise. I'm on a road trip about 1000 miles from home and l don't really want to pay any shop time. Any input would be helpful. I joined the forum when l bought my nomad last year. I don't post much but l read almost daily. Ya'll have taught me a lot about the nomad and saved me a lot of time and headaches with your knowledge and hints. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-30-2013, 04:53 PM	#2
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Not going to help you much but mine is in the shop right now trying to fix the same problem. I put a new Cobra on and I don't know if that caused the bike to wobble at slow speed or not but something is wrong. If I let go of the bars at higher speeds they wobble so bad if I don't grab back on it would turn into a tank slapper. It only takes a second or two for it to start wobbling enough to scare me. I was riding with my wife yesterday and told her to pull up next to me on a 4 lane and watch my bars when I let go. Her eyes got wide and she said holy crap you need to quit riding that and get it in the shop I'll let you know what they find out and keep us posted as to your problem and possible fix. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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07-30-2013, 05:47 PM	#4
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Try it, but don't let go for long I don't feel the wobble at higher speeds either but when I let go of the bars on my previous 07 Nomad with 88000 miles on it it never wobbled. This one does so something is surly wrong __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] Last edited by Top Cat; 07-30-2013 at 05:49 PM.
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07-30-2013, 06:00 PM	#5
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	Sounds like a bad tire. You could also have one front brake caliper sticking that could cause it. If not the caliper it could be a front brake hose. Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-30-2013, 06:00 PM	#6
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	It's the V&H dual baggers! Seriously, I'm going to say it's your steering head bearings. They need to be inspected, and if there are no problems with them they need to be adjusted tighter. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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07-30-2013, 05:00 PM	#3
pharmdad Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Wa Posts: 17	I don't feel a wobble at higher speeds but then again l haven't let go of the bars either.
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07-30-2013, 07:16 PM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Ive checked and replaced everything possible on my bike to cure the problem, the only time a get a few months relief is when I install a new front tire. It doesn't matter if the fairing is mounted, or the windshield, or nothing at all, it still wobbles, and has since Ive owned the bike. Wait untill you try a big sweeping bend on the interstate at about 90mph, that will make you pucker real good, especially if you cross an expansion crack. I won't take my bike over 80mph anymore,its just to much worry. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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07-30-2013, 07:36 PM	#9
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	My money is on the front tire. I have an aVon Cobra radial on the front, It has 8000 miles on it. Last week if I just barely hold the bars at 25-30 MPH the handlebars oscillate. Speed up and it stops. It's the front tire causing this. I got 18,000 miles out of my last Avon Cobra. My solution is to hold the bars and not worry about it unless it gets a lot worse or develops a high speed wobble then I'll change the tire. Bob __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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07-30-2013, 08:16 PM	#10
pharmdad Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Wa Posts: 17	Thinking maybe steering bearings?
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07-30-2013, 08:19 PM	#11
markclark57 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,108	My '06 gets an occasional wobble above 90 mph. I've already replaced the steering head bearings. Turns out the OEM's were nearly dry from the factory. So now I try not to go that fast. BTW, (It's been mentioned before) If you get into a high speed wobble, do not use your front break, that makes it worse. Slow down by usung the engine or the rear brake. Push on one side of the bars a little harder than the other. (most of us call that "Counter Steering") It will make you swerve a bit, but you'll come out of the wobble. __________________ 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic "George III" (Patricia's) 2006 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Grace" (Mark's) Mark Clark VBA #1619 TaibhseDaid@Gmail.Com "Irish" @ Maricopa County Chapter of B.A.C.A. Phoenix, AZ
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07-30-2013, 09:34 PM	#12
pharmdad Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Wa Posts: 17	Pardon my ignorance but would a worn or loose steering bearing be more of a safely issue or an annoyance
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07-30-2013, 09:47 PM	#13
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Both. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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07-30-2013, 10:12 PM	#15
jandreu Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Makawao, Hawaii Posts: 1,409	Could also be fork alinement. Is your tire straight with the fender sides, same clearance front to back? __________________ James Andreu '07 1600 Red/Silver VBA Member #1356 jandreu@hawaiiantel.net
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