Death Wobble

Ok so I've noticed my bike has developed a bit of the death wobbles. How does one adjust for this on a 6th gen?

EDIT: I should probably elaborate a little more. At high speeds (85-90ish) one can feel a miniscule vibration in the steering. Taking your hands off the bars is when the wobble is encountered.

Tire pressures are normal. Front tire may need replaced in another 2k miles or so.

 

My stock front went that way at aboot the same miles. Had to replace it but it was really no loss as the stock tires were not that great.

 

my 1980 nighthawk had the same problem between 55 and 60... and back then, the speed limit everywhere was 55, so I usually went 65 because the wobble went away at about 63... how old are the tires? how worn are they? are they stock or did you get a different brand afterwards?

I never figured out what caused mine, but I figured it was the rim or the mounting or the tire. Owned the bike for less than 8,000 miles and was a poor caretaker of vehicles back then.

 

My guess is either the front tire is shot or you need to tighten or replace your steering head bearings....

 

ck front tire balance and wheel alignment

 

Hmm...the consensus seems to be replace the front tire. I'll go that a go and see if it help. Can't hurt, I'm not a big fan of the battlaxes anyways...

 

Its like the scenero when you go to the doctor and you say, "doc, it only hurts when I do this." and the doc says, "dont do that."

Kidding aside, why take both hands off the bars unless your Valentino Rossi celebrating some sort of win. Thats just me though. My bikes would do that when the front tyres started wearing. With new tyres, never had a problem. Also steering head bearings may be worn. You should check tyre pressure too, but I didnt have to tell you that...Cheers

 

I would suggest not taking your hands off at 85 or 90. If your tire is starting to wear it is more than likely out of balance. I have a ilot power 2ct on my rear wheel right now and it use to run real smooth but now I can clearly see a worn area that's. Much worse than the other areas. Almost looks like I were to have locked my brakes up in the bad area. I won't buy another 2ct. But I would say balance or get a new tire and have it balanced.

 

Well truth be told I figured out my bike had a case of the wobbles when I pulled my hands off the bars to adjust the "load" I was carrying in my backpack (i.e. protruding from my backpack ). Other than that I'm not much a stunter so I have no reason to. With that said, the fact that it has a wobble can't be good. Oh, and I checked the pressure. Pressure is as according to the manual...

 

Ck ur swingarm bushings

 

Lets not make this overly complicated.

Typically, the first thing to check is the tire. You said you have 2K miles left, but don't say how many are on it.

We don't know how many miles are on the bike, or what year it is either. We only know you have Battleax tires on there.

Did you by any chance lose a weight on the front tire?

There are simple things you can check - such as head bearings - with the quick assistance of someone to push the read tire down while on its centerstand.

I'm willing to bet that if there aren't issues with your head bearings, its your tire.

Did you check the back tire? Is all good with that too? I understand the vibration is in your handlebars, and that definitely indicates the front, but its not like you have a 96" wheelbase on a bike. Shit can be transmitted from back to font and vice versa.

 

Are you saying you have an actual flat spot? How big? Kinda hard to lock the brakes up on our bikes (and sounds like you're only using that for a description anyway). But if you have a legitimate flat spot, unless the bike has been stored or sitting in the same position for months/years, sounds like you have a defective tire.

The Pilot Power 2ct may not be for everyone, but I don't think I've heard complaints of flat spots forming on tires. That's an issue.

 

I would say there are 5,500 miles on the front tire. 1,000 miles on the rear tire.

 

5,500 miles isn't bad for a bike tire, IMO, even if others got 10,000 out of theirs. Kind of like looking at a car tire. Some manufacturers will give 90,000 mile warranty, but how many drivers actually get 90,000 miles? My PP2 have about 4K on them, I'd be surprised if I get another 2 to 3K, yet I hear people saying they got 10-12K. That's just the way it goes.

I'd replace that sucker anyway, get it balanced, and I think all will be well. My bike is rock solid at the speeds you mention, and yes, I do take my hands off the bars at those speeds on occasion.

 

Here's another case where knowing the mileage on the bike is important to a good answer.

Stock headset bearings are almost always notchy or loose and needing replacement by 30-35,000 miles, and i'd start checking there first before you blame a tire.

 

Sorry, guess I should have posted this sooner. the bike has 15,000 miles on it.

 

Squirrel knows his shit. But I still say tire.

 

OK, @15k probably not head bearings, but they're easy to check anyway since you're fortunate enough to have a centerstand.

The FSM Periodic Maintenance Schedule (FSMPMS) recommends head bearing service at 15K mile intervals. That would include dropping the forks and steering stem out to clean, inspect (you can see some strange dents at 10X magnification !) re-grease, and reset the bearings.


2 hour and 3 beer job, whacha say, TC ?

To replace the lower bearing and race, add another hour or more and be prepared too cool off with more beer cuz that can be a sweaty job ! You'll need to wait for your new bearings to cool in the freezer for awhile, so just lie back.

Maybe not necessary but stuff you can take the time for if you have another biketo putz around on.

 

It is probably all...........tired oot.

 

So that is apart of the 15k service? If that's the case, I have a service plan from where I purchase the bike. :chaingun: