Midrange Steering Wobble

[Parker]

Gang,

I'm doing some wintertime work on da Valk. One thing I've been meaning to address is a midrange (40-45 MPH) steering wobble if I take my hands off the handlebars in that range. I'm at the torque spec in the maintenance manual for head bearing preload, but still get the shimmy.

I saw a thread here that touched on this a little bit but it was about that low speed steering "drop over" that we're all familiar with. One possibility is I'm running Avon Venom R tires at near 40psi. Could the tires be the problem? The other thing talked about is an upgrade (?) to the steering head bearings. Anyone know about this? Ideas?

Parker
(Retired in NOV. and digging it!)

[MP]

Valks have the good bearings, as compared to GW's. Is the front tire worn at all?  Could cause that.

MP

[Challenger]

I have no idea what low speed drop over is and have never encountered it, But for your question, My I/S would go into a (wobble) shake if I let go of the bars on the road, several times, I just never let go of the handle bars after that. when my Avon front wore out and I installed the Metz, I decided to try it again. Steady as a rock and I could probably ride several miles with out touching the bars. I blame it on the tire since that is the only thing I changed.

[Parker]

Thanks Challenger. It just might be the Avon tire. It's got about 8K miles on it so it could be the culprit. Roger that too about if it does it...don't let go. 
Parker

[cookiedough]

I get the same thing ever since I put on the Avon Cobra's now with only about 4-5K miles on them or so.  I notice the wobble from the front tire around 30-45 mph if I let go it almost wobbles enough to tip over which is not right on a smooth road.  Never had that issue on my outdated and 6 year old dunlop D206 tires which were hard as a rock and needed changing ASAP.  I have tried 36 psi to 42 psi for front tire and makes no difference.  Some say the front tire needs to be put on and torqued correctly, but sure others will chime in on that.  Won't need new tires and probably new front and rear brakes since brakes are OEM from 2001 until 3 years from now so might just live with it unless the shake/wobble becomes any worse.  I just won't let go of the handlebars. 

[Valker]

Only thing that will do that is the tires....probably. If the rear shocks are really bad, or loose in their mountings/bushings, it can do that same thing.

[Grey]

When I had Avons installed on my Tourer at the Ride-In in New Mexico I got a slight wobble between 30 and 40. I remember at that time there were quite a few people who reprted some issues with the front Avon and if they got it replaced it would go away. I think it ended up being blamed on a bad lot of tires.

[TrickyD]

Had that problem with the original Dunlops and Avon Venoms, however the Avon Cobras haven't done that for me at 4500 miles so far.

[salty]

Check the balance of the tires. Pull the weights and put in some Dyna beads. I'm running cobras and beads, she's rock solid.

[cookiedough]

Never thought about the balancing of the front tire being off.  I did watch the mechanic balance the front tire on his machine and they seemed to know what they were doing, maybe not now?? 

I guess with around 4-5K on my Avon Cobra now it is too late to do anything about it since tire almost 1/2 shot besides taking off tire and balancing again or go dynabeads route?

[TrickyD]

TAZ and CHOLLA seem to really like the dynabeads. I haven't tried them yet!

[salty]

I use Dyna Beads in four different bikes all with different types of tires and they work superb! 

[Grey]

I have the Dyna Beads in my E3's and they work great in my opinion.

[MrBones]

Just for the record I have 20,000 on my Cobras and no vibrations. Yes I know there is disbelief but always get that milage out of my E3s also.

[NITRO]

The dealer put ride-on tire sealant in my front Metzler last spring. No wheel weights needed as the sealant also balances the tire besides sealing against punctures.