New to me - Speed Wobble?

LikeAPuma · 07-19-2016, 04:24 PM

Just picked up a 06 Nomad yesterday. I have been loving it! But just a few minutes ago, I was coming up my road. Let go of the handlebars & let it coast, & the front end started to get all bent out of shape. Tried it a few more times, & same thing each time. Starts subtle, then grows into a would-be tank slapper.

What could be the cause? Definitely don't want this happening at higher speeds/with a passanger on

cactusjack · 07-19-2016, 04:34 PM

I'm going to say your steering head bearings need tightening. That's what fixed the wobble on my 2007 Nomad.

Jllm02199 · 07-19-2016, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I'm going to say your steering head bearings need tightening. That's what fixed the wobble on my 2007 Nomad.

Agree. That will fix it.

VulcanE · 07-19-2016, 04:57 PM

+3 same here with my '05

LikeAPuma · 07-19-2016, 05:06 PM

Thank you! Will definitely take a look! Any good walk throughs? Not overly mechanically inclined, but patient & willing to try.

Or is it literally just tightening something down?

alabama498 · 07-19-2016, 09:45 PM

The steeringhead bearings need to be replaced. I had a 09 nomad that had the same problem. Luverne Kawasaki in luverne Minnesota replaced them and it ran straight as a arrow. It was well worth it. My understanding is that the bearings that kawasaki used (not sure if they still use the same bearings) would wear out at 15 to 16000 miles. They used a different kind of bearing than the factory. That's probably why they sold it. couldn't find a mechanic that could diagnose the problem correctly.

Brad

redjay · 07-19-2016, 10:01 PM

Don't let go of the handlebars with both hands !
Tightening the steering head will likely cure most if not all of the wobble.

**Iamriding** · 07-19-2016, 10:37 PM

On mine the steering head bearings definitely needed to be tightened, but after that I discovered the tire was out of round so a combination of factors in my case.

Navigator · 07-20-2016, 12:50 AM

Yup, steering head bearings, tire under inflation or defect in tire etc., will cause a wobble that can turn into a tank slapper. Mid 80s Honda Gold Wings had the problem and my Canuck riding buddy found that his Triumph Explorer also has a problem and he changed them out. I just don't understand how MC manufactures can get away with this; that is, producing bikes with substandard steering head bearings. Really?

My 07 with about 12k miles on it runs rock solid straight and true but I will change them out at the first sign of an issue. I never realized there was a steering head bearing issue with the Nomads until talking to Hammer up in BC last year. I think he posted a thread on how to change them out.

**ringadingh** · 07-20-2016, 07:28 AM

New bearings did not cure the wobble on my 2002, the only thing that provides some temporary relief is a new front tire.

LikeAPuma · 07-20-2016, 07:49 AM

Thanks again for all the responses. One of the reasons I decided on a Vulcan was because of the immense amounts of online support for these bikes.

I found the walk through on the vulcangadgets page, so I'll be attempting that on my next day off/evening of quiet. Until then, should I garage the bike? I was testing it out "for science" and the only time it occurs is between 45-55 mph w/ I don't hold the bars. Higher & lower speeds aren't a problem, but I'd like to get it taken care of sooner rather than later. Also, I've read that it could improve slow speed maneuvering, so that would be awesome as well.

Other than this, this bike is fantastic. Picked it up with 11k miles, and it runs like an absolute dream. Waiting a few weeks to get comfortable (and get this issue all straightened out) before I take my wife out, but she's already salty that I haven't invited her lol.

mick56 · 07-20-2016, 08:08 AM

No reason not to ride the bike in the meantime,just keep both hands on the handlebars and you will be fine.

redjay · 07-20-2016, 08:30 AM

"Also, I've read that it could improve slow speed maneuvering, so that would be awesome as well".

I don't think you are going to see any difference in that regard.

tonik · 07-20-2016, 08:46 AM

I agree, ride it for now. It will get gradually worse and you will know when it is time to stop riding. There won't be a catastrophic failure.

redjay · 07-20-2016, 08:48 AM

The "speed wobble" solution appears to be different for almost every bike.
Some apparently never find a complete solution.

Some state that tightening the head bearings will cure it. Others state that switching to aftermarket steering head bearings cured the problem for them. For some a new tire was the fix.

On my 2005 Nomad there was no speed wobble, even with the stock steering head bearings, Bridgestone or Cobra tires.

On my 2010 Voyager there was a speed wobble, with Bridgestone tires or Michelin Commander II's.

07-19-2016, 04:24 PM	#1
LikeAPuma Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NE Connecticut Posts: 27	New to me - Speed Wobble? Just picked up a 06 Nomad yesterday. I have been loving it! But just a few minutes ago, I was coming up my road. Let go of the handlebars & let it coast, & the front end started to get all bent out of shape. Tried it a few more times, & same thing each time. Starts subtle, then grows into a would-be tank slapper. What could be the cause? Definitely don't want this happening at higher speeds/with a passanger on Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-19-2016, 04:34 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	I'm going to say your steering head bearings need tightening. That's what fixed the wobble on my 2007 Nomad. __________________ 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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07-19-2016, 04:57 PM	#4
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	+3 same here with my '05 __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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07-19-2016, 05:06 PM	#5
LikeAPuma Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NE Connecticut Posts: 27	Thank you! Will definitely take a look! Any good walk throughs? Not overly mechanically inclined, but patient & willing to try. Or is it literally just tightening something down? Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by LikeAPuma; 07-19-2016 at 05:12 PM.
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07-19-2016, 09:45 PM	#6
alabama498 Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Sioux Falls SD Posts: 1	The steeringhead bearings need to be replaced. I had a 09 nomad that had the same problem. Luverne Kawasaki in luverne Minnesota replaced them and it ran straight as a arrow. It was well worth it. My understanding is that the bearings that kawasaki used (not sure if they still use the same bearings) would wear out at 15 to 16000 miles. They used a different kind of bearing than the factory. That's probably why they sold it. couldn't find a mechanic that could diagnose the problem correctly. Brad Last edited by alabama498; 07-19-2016 at 09:48 PM.
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07-19-2016, 10:01 PM	#7
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,928	Don't let go of the handlebars with both hands ! Tightening the steering head will likely cure most if not all of the wobble.
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07-19-2016, 10:37 PM	#8
Iamriding Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 305	On mine the steering head bearings definitely needed to be tightened, but after that I discovered the tire was out of round so a combination of factors in my case. __________________ 2003 Nomad 1500 Memphis Shades batwing fairing \| Chuckster dual plate BAK \| Dobeck EJK \| Mustang seat \| Victory Boardwalk handlebars \| Garry's fork brace with modified KLR fork boots
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07-20-2016, 12:50 AM	#9
Navigator Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Banner, WA Posts: 644	Yup, steering head bearings, tire under inflation or defect in tire etc., will cause a wobble that can turn into a tank slapper. Mid 80s Honda Gold Wings had the problem and my Canuck riding buddy found that his Triumph Explorer also has a problem and he changed them out. I just don't understand how MC manufactures can get away with this; that is, producing bikes with substandard steering head bearings. Really? My 07 with about 12k miles on it runs rock solid straight and true but I will change them out at the first sign of an issue. I never realized there was a steering head bearing issue with the Nomads until talking to Hammer up in BC last year. I think he posted a thread on how to change them out. __________________ Mike USN Retired 2007 Nomad
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07-20-2016, 07:28 AM	#10
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	New bearings did not cure the wobble on my 2002, the only thing that provides some temporary relief is a new front tire. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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07-20-2016, 07:49 AM	#11
LikeAPuma Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NE Connecticut Posts: 27	Thanks again for all the responses. One of the reasons I decided on a Vulcan was because of the immense amounts of online support for these bikes. I found the walk through on the vulcangadgets page, so I'll be attempting that on my next day off/evening of quiet. Until then, should I garage the bike? I was testing it out "for science" and the only time it occurs is between 45-55 mph w/ I don't hold the bars. Higher & lower speeds aren't a problem, but I'd like to get it taken care of sooner rather than later. Also, I've read that it could improve slow speed maneuvering, so that would be awesome as well. Other than this, this bike is fantastic. Picked it up with 11k miles, and it runs like an absolute dream. Waiting a few weeks to get comfortable (and get this issue all straightened out) before I take my wife out, but she's already salty that I haven't invited her lol.
	0

07-20-2016, 08:08 AM	#12
mick56 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The Newforest, England Posts: 4,664	No reason not to ride the bike in the meantime,just keep both hands on the handlebars and you will be fine. __________________ when this you see, remember me, and bear me in your mind, let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find.
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07-20-2016, 08:30 AM	#13
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,928	"Also, I've read that it could improve slow speed maneuvering, so that would be awesome as well". I don't think you are going to see any difference in that regard.
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07-20-2016, 08:46 AM	#14
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	I agree, ride it for now. It will get gradually worse and you will know when it is time to stop riding. There won't be a catastrophic failure.
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07-20-2016, 08:48 AM	#15
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,928	The "speed wobble" solution appears to be different for almost every bike. Some apparently never find a complete solution. Some state that tightening the head bearings will cure it. Others state that switching to aftermarket steering head bearings cured the problem for them. For some a new tire was the fix. On my 2005 Nomad there was no speed wobble, even with the stock steering head bearings, Bridgestone or Cobra tires. On my 2010 Voyager there was a speed wobble, with Bridgestone tires or Michelin Commander II's.
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