Handlebar "Shimmy"

Ramakill · 01-12-2012, 01:12 AM

Have noticed a couple of times when out riding on a smooth straight road, if I take both hands off the bars momentarily, they start to 'shimmy' (shaking motion) and I feel if I kept my hand off, the shimmy would increase till it became a 'tank slapper', which I know is a very serious situation. I never had this experience with my 900 Custom.

While holding the bars with both hands, there is no noticeable vibration, it only happens when both hands are off (one is OK). It doesn't seem to be present when riding two up, but for obvious safety reasons, I take both hands off for no more than a few seconds, when riding two up.

Could this be due to a front wheel balance problem or something else?? There is no play or binding in the head stem bearings, the steering seems fine.

All comments/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Dave · 01-12-2012, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramakill

Could this be due to a front wheel balance problem or something else??

Yes

cajun2wheels · 01-12-2012, 01:23 AM

Check the tire for cupping and tire pressure also.

Monkeyman · 01-12-2012, 01:58 AM

...

dkdixie · 01-12-2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

Check the tire for cupping and tire pressure also.

Replacing front tire cured same problem for me

**MAS Tequila** · 01-12-2012, 06:55 AM

Sometimes the tail wags the dog.

Check the rear tire also. BTDT an have the t-shirt.

MT

Fly · 01-12-2012, 07:52 AM

More than likely, it's the steering head is too loose and needs adjusting. Jack up till front tire is off pavement. Pull tire with a lot of pressure to the front and then shove it to the rear, it you hear a click or bump or feel any movement, the steering head needs adjusted.

Also, with front tire off pavement and wheel at center, slight pressure should not make wheel go all the way to one side, or the other, and bump when it stops.

**ringadingh** · 01-12-2012, 09:37 AM

Thats the wobble that a lot of Nomads seem to have. Some fellas never have had it, and others cant get rid of it. I tried everything to cure it on my bike and found the as the front tire wore the problem got worse. With new tires I would get some repreive from it for a couple months but then it would start returning.
There are lots of posts here discussing it, some have tightened the steering bearings a little more and fixed it. Keep your tire pressure set correct to avoid cupping and you should be able to keep it at a minimum.

**Top Cat** · 01-12-2012, 12:28 PM

Keep at least one hand on the freakin' bars at all times, problem solved.

**BudMan** · 01-12-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Keep at least one hand on the freakin' bars at all times, problem solved.

Now there's a thought..

redjay · 01-12-2012, 06:10 PM

My 05 Nomad never had the front end shimmy.

Ramakill · 01-12-2012, 07:08 PM

Thanks guys for all the responses. What are "ideal pressures" for the Nomad, those stated in the owners manual??

The rear tyre is brand new (Dunlop radial), while the new appears to be the original Bridgestone which is noisy and showing some signs of cupping, though still has plenty of tread left.

Thanks again.

jandreu · 01-12-2012, 07:44 PM

What year bike and how many miles? Adding this info to your sig line would help folks help you.

Mine was good, could ride for miles with the throttle lock on and no hands until about 6K miles. Then it started the light shimmy as you describe. I replaced the front tire at 8K and tighten the steering bearings, very loose, changed the fork oil to 20W and all is good with the world again.

**ringadingh** · 01-12-2012, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramakill

Thanks guys for all the responses. What are "ideal pressures" for the Nomad, those stated in the owners manual??

The rear tyre is brand new (Dunlop radial), while the new appears to be the original Bridgestone which is noisy and showing some signs of cupping, though still has plenty of tread left.

Thanks again.

I always used 42 psi in each tire, if your Bridgestone is cupping that could be part of the wobble your experiencing.

Ramakill · 01-13-2012, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jandreu

What year bike and how many miles? Adding this info to your sig line would help folks help you.

Signature with details added (apologies for that). Bike is '08 model and has just on 40,000 Km, has full service history, but will check head stem bearings for tightness. Will also recheck TP and adjust to that suggested (42 psi F & R). Being new to Nomads, still learning about all their 'idiosyncrasies'.

Rear stock air assist shocks also replaced with A/M (IKON brand), have recently replaced bushes on both (chopped out).

Cheers again for all the advice.

01-12-2012, 01:12 AM	#1
Ramakill Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 194	Handlebar "Shimmy" Have noticed a couple of times when out riding on a smooth straight road, if I take both hands off the bars momentarily, they start to 'shimmy' (shaking motion) and I feel if I kept my hand off, the shimmy would increase till it became a 'tank slapper', which I know is a very serious situation. I never had this experience with my 900 Custom. While holding the bars with both hands, there is no noticeable vibration, it only happens when both hands are off (one is OK). It doesn't seem to be present when riding two up, but for obvious safety reasons, I take both hands off for no more than a few seconds, when riding two up. Could this be due to a front wheel balance problem or something else?? There is no play or binding in the head stem bearings, the steering seems fine. All comments/suggestions greatly appreciated. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-12-2012, 01:23 AM	#3
cajun2wheels Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria La. Posts: 636	Check the tire for cupping and tire pressure also. __________________
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01-12-2012, 01:58 AM	#4
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	... __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 Last edited by Monkeyman; 01-26-2012 at 02:13 AM.
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01-12-2012, 06:55 AM	#6
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Sometimes the tail wags the dog. Check the rear tire also. BTDT an have the t-shirt. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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01-12-2012, 07:52 AM	#7
Fly Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Luzerne, IA Posts: 20	More than likely, it's the steering head is too loose and needs adjusting. Jack up till front tire is off pavement. Pull tire with a lot of pressure to the front and then shove it to the rear, it you hear a click or bump or feel any movement, the steering head needs adjusted. Also, with front tire off pavement and wheel at center, slight pressure should not make wheel go all the way to one side, or the other, and bump when it stops. __________________ Lorin "Fly" Potter http://iowa-vra.com
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01-12-2012, 09:37 AM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Thats the wobble that a lot of Nomads seem to have. Some fellas never have had it, and others cant get rid of it. I tried everything to cure it on my bike and found the as the front tire wore the problem got worse. With new tires I would get some repreive from it for a couple months but then it would start returning. There are lots of posts here discussing it, some have tightened the steering bearings a little more and fixed it. Keep your tire pressure set correct to avoid cupping and you should be able to keep it at a minimum. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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01-12-2012, 12:28 PM	#9
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Keep at least one hand on the freakin' bars at all times, problem solved. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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01-12-2012, 06:10 PM	#11
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,945	My 05 Nomad never had the front end shimmy.
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01-12-2012, 07:08 PM	#12
Ramakill Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 194	Thanks guys for all the responses. What are "ideal pressures" for the Nomad, those stated in the owners manual?? The rear tyre is brand new (Dunlop radial), while the new appears to be the original Bridgestone which is noisy and showing some signs of cupping, though still has plenty of tread left. Thanks again.
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01-12-2012, 07:44 PM	#13
jandreu Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Makawao, Hawaii Posts: 1,409	What year bike and how many miles? Adding this info to your sig line would help folks help you. Mine was good, could ride for miles with the throttle lock on and no hands until about 6K miles. Then it started the light shimmy as you describe. I replaced the front tire at 8K and tighten the steering bearings, very loose, changed the fork oil to 20W and all is good with the world again. __________________ James Andreu '07 1600 Red/Silver VBA Member #1356 jandreu@hawaiiantel.net
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