FRONT END WOBBLE???????

[spirello]

It sure didnt look like there was much grease at all. So you might want to grease them cause the bottom and top race are a pian in the ass to get out unless you buy kawasakis tool for 165.00

[macmac]

I wonder why the factory is so tight with grease?

[spirello]

I dont know why they dont put more grease on the bearings but at about $120.00 for parts its alot easyer to grease them before they go bad>>>

[samkjr]

Funny this thread started today. I have an appt at the dealership tomorrow to check up on this very smae problem. I am 6700 on the stock front and have inspected it. I dont see any cupping or anything at all tire related. Balance wieght is still in place from factory. I get a very violent shake at 35-50 with even a soft grip on bars, let alone if I take my hands off. I am interested in hearing what they say. I will be sure to get back to everyone and let you know

[spirello]

samkjr That would be great. let me know what you find out. Nice looking bike you got there!!!!!!!!!!!

[1stgear]

I replaced my steering head bearings last May at 50,000mi., and I found there's a big difference in the way one sets the torque on the bearings. The manual ( and I think Gadget said the same)says that there should not be any extra weight on the trees, - wheel, forks, whatever- as that will put side pressures on the bearings. I read somewhere that this was a reason a lot of bikes assembled at some dealers had loose head bearings, - they were torqued with the front end completely assembled. The manual is pretty thorough on the tightening procedure, too. I also milled a big (38 mm impact, I think) to have 4 teats that matched the bearing stem nut, and used a torque wrench. I was a lot easier than trying to get a spanner set-up like Mom Kaw uses, and have had no problems with any wobble...

What the manual doesn't state is that the time honored way to set these is to make them just a little too tight (until the steering just barely binds) and then back it off a touch. If you don't, you always run the risk that something isn't fully seated or side loading is making the torque read higher than it really is.

[spirello]

Well i figured it out the steering stem nut had backed off probbly from all the vibration of the front wheel being cocked sideways for my ride to idaho. So i tightened the stem down and locktighted the top nut and man did it make a hugh difference. I think from the factory it was way to loose. It handles like a totally differnt bike. Thanks for all the input from everyone.

[rewindgy]

On an earlier post I thought the Avon's were causing my odd handling issues of late. I decided to investigate and ripped the damn thing apart - only took 20 minutes including Fairing. Guess what I found? Upper bearing - very minimal grease - no damage. Lower bearing - no grease just sludge and rust! I noticed a slight tick sound when moving bars back and forth - never heard it before but it was early this morning in the garage an there was no noises! I would highly recomend that all Nomad be checked with front tire off ground and bars turned full motion back and forth! This bike has only been on the road for 10 months and only has 25,000 km! Can you say Warranty?

Originally Posted by spirello

Well i figured it out the steering stem nut had backed off probbly from all the vibration of the front wheel being cocked sideways for my ride to idaho...

Wow! Well that's a new one on me. I've never actually towed a bike that far though. Frankly, I do think the stock steering stem torques are a bit low in the book.

Originally Posted by rewindgy

On an earlier post I thought the Avon's were causing my odd handling issues of late. I decided to investigate and ripped the damn thing apart - only took 20 minutes including Fairing. Guess what I found? Upper bearing - very minimal grease - no damage. Lower bearing - no grease just sludge and rust! I noticed a slight tick sound when moving bars back and forth - never heard it before but it was early this morning in the garage an there was no noises! I would highly recomend that all Nomad be checked with front tire off ground and bars turned full motion back and forth! This bike has only been on the road for 10 months and only has 25,000 km! Can you say Warranty?

Kawasaki puts VERY LITTLE grease on these bearings. I re-greased mine with Mobile-1 grease twice in 30,000 miles, but we don't have much rain here. If you ride in the rain a lot, or park out in the rain, I'd recommend installing the grease zerk in the neck so you can pump the whole dang thing full of boat trailer grease every couple months. That'll keep the water out and prevent rust.