New Michelin Commander II's, front end wobble

VulcanD · 08-31-2016, 07:29 PM

Hi guys,

Just had a pair of Michelin Commander IIs put on my 1700 Nomad at 10,400 miles. Rode great the first 50 or so miles. Then I started noticing some shimmy (slight wobble in the handle bars) while cornering only to the left. Then it became a slight pulse even while going straight.

What's going on? Balance? Alignment? Bad tire?

I ordered the tires off Amazon and had a shop put them on. Seeking guidance from others who may have experienced the same with these tires before going back to the shop.

Happy and safe riding,
Dan

redjay · 08-31-2016, 07:55 PM

I had Commander II's on my Voyager with no issues. I would check all the axle bolts/nuts to make sure everything is tight and if the issue is still there take it back to where you got the tires installed.

mike07nad · 08-31-2016, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VulcanD

Hi guys,

Just had a pair of Michelin Commander IIs put on my 1700 Nomad at 10,400 miles. Rode great the first 50 or so miles. Then I started noticing some shimmy (slight wobble in the handle bars) while cornering only to the left. Then it became a slight pulse even while going straight.

What's going on? Balance? Alignment? Bad tire?

I ordered the tires off Amazon and had a shop put them on. Seeking guidance from others who may have experienced the same with these tires before going back to the shop.

Happy and safe riding,
Dan

In the process of re-assembling the front tire on our 1700's (and several other bikes) need to be bounced to align the front forks with the axle.

Basically - the two pinch bolts on the front fork need to be loosened and the forks bounced up and down several times (Do not apply brake) then re tighten the pinch bolts.

This helps some - but the 1700's have a history of front end wobble. The only way I ever got rid of it was to have new tapered head bearings installed. http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1039.html

Lumberjack · 08-31-2016, 10:06 PM

Check your front tire for scalloping with >10K on it. My bike was wobbling when the tire almost done (4/32) and was scalloped. New tire and fine now.

What tire pressure are you running? Low PSI will contribute to scalloping.

redjay · 08-31-2016, 10:42 PM

The tire has very few miles on it. ^^^

**vulcanscott** · 09-01-2016, 06:24 AM

Check air pressure front & rear may have a slow bead leak . Just a thought since tires were just mounted . rear can feel like front also on Bikes .

**2Paps** · 09-01-2016, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulcanscott

Check air pressure front & rear may have a slow bead leak . Just a thought since tires were just mounted . rear can feel like front also on Bikes .

This was my first thought too. A great piece of advice I got years ago was, treat a tire gently for the 1st 100 miles so the tire has a chance to seat properly.

Good luck finding and fixing the problem.

rick6375 · 09-01-2016, 12:54 PM

Also check valve stem for a leak. Recheck air pressure.

VulcanD · 09-02-2016, 09:55 PM

Thanks for all the responses, guys. Still feeling some shimmy. Will check air pressure tomorrow, and will also check with the shop.

markc9503 · 09-03-2016, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike07nad

In the process of re-assembling the front tire on our 1700's (and several other bikes) need to be bounced to align the front forks with the axle.

Basically - the two pinch bolts on the front fork need to be loosened and the forks bounced up and down several times (Do not apply brake) then re tighten the pinch bolts.

This helps some - but the 1700's have a history of front end wobble. The only way I ever got rid of it was to have new tapered head bearings installed. http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1039.html

I had much the same problem with mine even before putting on the Michelins. I had a wobble from 40 mph up to about 70. I give much praise to Marv from Rocky Mountain Kawasaki who made it his mission to fix the problem. Ultimately the head bearing were replaced with roller bearing and the wobble went away and has never returned. RMK worked with me in getting covered under the extended warranty and Kawasaki kicked in $185 toward the bearings.

08-31-2016, 07:29 PM	#1
VulcanD Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 63	New Michelin Commander II's, front end wobble Hi guys, Just had a pair of Michelin Commander IIs put on my 1700 Nomad at 10,400 miles. Rode great the first 50 or so miles. Then I started noticing some shimmy (slight wobble in the handle bars) while cornering only to the left. Then it became a slight pulse even while going straight. What's going on? Balance? Alignment? Bad tire? I ordered the tires off Amazon and had a shop put them on. Seeking guidance from others who may have experienced the same with these tires before going back to the shop. Happy and safe riding, Dan __________________ 2011 Nomad (Chuckster's Light Bar, Rac'N Ray's Throttle Mod, Homemade Oversize Lowers, Ivan's ECU Flash, Kawasaki Trunk) 2014 Vulcan 900 Classic LT (sold) 1975 Suzuki GT 185 (first bike) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-31-2016, 10:42 PM	#5
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,935	The tire has very few miles on it. ^^^ Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-01-2016, 12:54 PM	#8
rick6375 Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Castle, In. Posts: 365	Also check valve stem for a leak. Recheck air pressure. __________________ 2005 800 Classic 2012 Voyager ABS
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09-02-2016, 09:55 PM	#9
VulcanD Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 63	Thanks for all the responses, guys. Still feeling some shimmy. Will check air pressure tomorrow, and will also check with the shop. __________________ 2011 Nomad (Chuckster's Light Bar, Rac'N Ray's Throttle Mod, Homemade Oversize Lowers, Ivan's ECU Flash, Kawasaki Trunk) 2014 Vulcan 900 Classic LT (sold) 1975 Suzuki GT 185 (first bike)
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08-31-2016, 07:55 PM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,935	I had Commander II's on my Voyager with no issues. I would check all the axle bolts/nuts to make sure everything is tight and if the issue is still there take it back to where you got the tires installed.
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08-31-2016, 10:06 PM	#4
Lumberjack Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 542	Check your front tire for scalloping with >10K on it. My bike was wobbling when the tire almost done (4/32) and was scalloped. New tire and fine now. What tire pressure are you running? Low PSI will contribute to scalloping.
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09-01-2016, 06:24 AM	#6
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	Check air pressure front & rear may have a slow bead leak . Just a thought since tires were just mounted . rear can feel like front also on Bikes .
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