Wobble-need help

bennynomad · 02-16-2009, 09:51 AM

I had a new front tire installed last weekend, rode about 300 miles after that, no problems. This weekend I took a trip to the North Carolina mountains about 500 mile round trip. Saturday afternoon I began to notice a wobble in the front end at low speeds, 10-20 mph. When I would get up to speed, 30 and over, no wobble, no problems.

Has anyone experienced this? Did I lose a weight, did the tire shop forget to do something? Everything appears tight and right on the front end. Any advice would help. I plan on taking it back to the tire shop next Saturday if I can't fix it.

blowndodge · 02-16-2009, 10:03 AM

Check you air pressure. Try 40 up front and 42 in the rear. Lots of slow speed shimmy is due to under inflated tires.

bennynomad · 02-16-2009, 10:21 AM

Thanks BD. I checked it Sunday morning before I got on the rode again. The front read 43 and I usually run 40 so I took it down to 40 on my guage. Seem to help a little, but I still noticed it. I'm just wondering if the tire guy did something, or did I lose a weight. Like I said, anything over 30mph, and I have nothing.

caddman11 · 02-16-2009, 11:09 AM

There is a recall on some Metezler tires but I don't think it's because of a wobble.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls...e&refurl=email

redeye · 02-16-2009, 11:57 AM

Loosen your axle nut & the allen locking bolt. Place your front tire against a solid wall. Now bounce the tire against the wall about 3 or 4 times. FIRST tourque your axle nut to 80 lbs, & then retighten the allen bolt.

I had a slight front end wobble at slow speeds. Valdez used this method & that cured my problem.

watchman · 02-17-2009, 07:35 AM

You did not say what bike you have or how many miles you have on it. It could be the neck bearings need to be tightened or replaced.

bennynomad · 02-17-2009, 10:57 AM

Hey Watchman, I have a 07 1600 Nomad, 22000 miles. Would the bearings need to be replaced already?

Todd · 02-17-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redeye

Loosen your axle nut & the allen locking bolt. Place your front tire against a solid wall. Now bounce the tire against the wall about 3 or 4 times. FIRST tourque your axle nut to 80 lbs, & then retighten the allen bolt.

I had a slight front end wobble at slow speeds. Valdez used this method & that cured my problem.

+1 redeye

watchman · 02-17-2009, 05:36 PM

My 05 Nomad had 56,000 miles on it and I could just bearly feel a little play when the bike was on the lift. So I doubt the neck bearings are bad but it could be something that needs to be checked. Also check the wheel bearings. And while it is on the lift check to see if one of the brakes is dragging. One other thing is see if there is any side to side play in the swingarm. When was the swingarm and drive shaft greased? It could be a dry u-joint too.

Just throwing out food for thought. Give you something to do on your day off.

**glwilson** · 02-17-2009, 08:38 PM

I posted about this problem late last summer. Had a lot of good responses that had some great information. Do a search on the subject on KawaNOW and see if you can find it. I'll look also and see if I can.

My result fortunately was not a mechanical problem; but rather a tire problem. I had the tire switched-out and the problem went away. I would suggest you get it back to the dealer to have the "balance" checked; as well as making sure the rim was put back on the bike correctly. My guess is that you will find this is the problem.

However; do not try to ride the bike any significant distance until you get this fixed. Any vibration is not acceptable; and could be extremely dangerous -- thus not worth the risk -- period. Don't accept any excuses -- get it fixed even if it means checking multiple potential problems.

Despite many who claim some vibration in a Nomad is acceptable -- I disagree. My Nomad is as smooth as silk at all speeds; which tells me that any Nomad properly maintained can do the same -- and any Nomad that doesn't needs help.

dogdoc · 02-17-2009, 10:27 PM

I agree my Nomad is smooth as silk and has been from day 1, and its 3 yrs old +.

redeye · 02-19-2009, 06:40 AM

HEY BENNY, did you sort out your wobble?

bennynomad · 02-19-2009, 08:41 AM

Not yet Redeye, I'm going to try your suggestion Friday, need to get the proper tools. I read the service manual and it said the same thing you suggested, so hopefully it works. Do you know what size socket I need to get for the axle nut? If that doesn't work, its back to the tire guy Saturday, weather permitting. Thanks for everyones suggestions, I'll let ya'll know how I come out.

redeye · 02-19-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennynomad

Not yet Redeye, I'm going to try your suggestion Friday, need to get the proper tools. I read the service manual and it said the same thing you suggested, so hopefully it works. Do you know what size socket I need to get for the axle nut? If that doesn't work, its back to the tire guy Saturday, weather permitting. Thanks for everyones suggestions, I'll let ya'll know how I come out.

The nut on my 2003 is a 24mm. I found a cheep 1/2 drive metric socket set at Harbor freight for $9.99.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46013

rlfaubion · 02-20-2009, 01:08 PM

The axle nuts on a 1500 are different from those on a 1600

02-16-2009, 09:51 AM	#1
bennynomad Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 40	Wobble-need help I had a new front tire installed last weekend, rode about 300 miles after that, no problems. This weekend I took a trip to the North Carolina mountains about 500 mile round trip. Saturday afternoon I began to notice a wobble in the front end at low speeds, 10-20 mph. When I would get up to speed, 30 and over, no wobble, no problems. Has anyone experienced this? Did I lose a weight, did the tire shop forget to do something? Everything appears tight and right on the front end. Any advice would help. I plan on taking it back to the tire shop next Saturday if I can't fix it. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-16-2009, 10:03 AM	#2
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Wobble-need help Check you air pressure. Try 40 up front and 42 in the rear. Lots of slow speed shimmy is due to under inflated tires. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

02-16-2009, 10:21 AM	#3
bennynomad Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 40	Wobble-need help Thanks BD. I checked it Sunday morning before I got on the rode again. The front read 43 and I usually run 40 so I took it down to 40 on my guage. Seem to help a little, but I still noticed it. I'm just wondering if the tire guy did something, or did I lose a weight. Like I said, anything over 30mph, and I have nothing.
	0

02-16-2009, 11:09 AM	#4
caddman11 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 890	Wobble-need help There is a recall on some Metezler tires but I don't think it's because of a wobble. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls...e&refurl=email
	0

02-16-2009, 11:57 AM	#5
redeye Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rocklin California Posts: 777	Wobble-need help Loosen your axle nut & the allen locking bolt. Place your front tire against a solid wall. Now bounce the tire against the wall about 3 or 4 times. FIRST tourque your axle nut to 80 lbs, & then retighten the allen bolt. I had a slight front end wobble at slow speeds. Valdez used this method & that cured my problem. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-17-2009, 07:35 AM	#6
watchman Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Macon, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Wobble-need help You did not say what bike you have or how many miles you have on it. It could be the neck bearings need to be tightened or replaced.
	0

02-17-2009, 10:57 AM	#7
bennynomad Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 40	Wobble-need help Hey Watchman, I have a 07 1600 Nomad, 22000 miles. Would the bearings need to be replaced already?
	0

02-17-2009, 05:36 PM	#9
watchman Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Macon, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Wobble-need help My 05 Nomad had 56,000 miles on it and I could just bearly feel a little play when the bike was on the lift. So I doubt the neck bearings are bad but it could be something that needs to be checked. Also check the wheel bearings. And while it is on the lift check to see if one of the brakes is dragging. One other thing is see if there is any side to side play in the swingarm. When was the swingarm and drive shaft greased? It could be a dry u-joint too. Just throwing out food for thought. Give you something to do on your day off.
	0

02-17-2009, 08:38 PM	#10
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Wobble-need help I posted about this problem late last summer. Had a lot of good responses that had some great information. Do a search on the subject on KawaNOW and see if you can find it. I'll look also and see if I can. My result fortunately was not a mechanical problem; but rather a tire problem. I had the tire switched-out and the problem went away. I would suggest you get it back to the dealer to have the "balance" checked; as well as making sure the rim was put back on the bike correctly. My guess is that you will find this is the problem. However; do not try to ride the bike any significant distance until you get this fixed. Any vibration is not acceptable; and could be extremely dangerous -- thus not worth the risk -- period. Don't accept any excuses -- get it fixed even if it means checking multiple potential problems. Despite many who claim some vibration in a Nomad is acceptable -- I disagree. My Nomad is as smooth as silk at all speeds; which tells me that any Nomad properly maintained can do the same -- and any Nomad that doesn't needs help. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
	0

02-17-2009, 10:27 PM	#11
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Wobble-need help I agree my Nomad is smooth as silk and has been from day 1, and its 3 yrs old +.
	0

02-19-2009, 06:40 AM	#12
redeye Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rocklin California Posts: 777	Wobble-need help HEY BENNY, did you sort out your wobble?
	0

02-19-2009, 08:41 AM	#13
bennynomad Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 40	Wobble-need help Not yet Redeye, I'm going to try your suggestion Friday, need to get the proper tools. I read the service manual and it said the same thing you suggested, so hopefully it works. Do you know what size socket I need to get for the axle nut? If that doesn't work, its back to the tire guy Saturday, weather permitting. Thanks for everyones suggestions, I'll let ya'll know how I come out.
	0

02-20-2009, 01:08 PM	#15
rlfaubion Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,582	Wobble-need help The axle nuts on a 1500 are different from those on a 1600
	0

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