Wobble!

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My 03 VFR has appeared to have developed a concerning wobble motion. I first noticed it on the motorway travelling with my topbox over 100mph... but just today whilst riding to work at this mini-roundabout, taking it without the topbox on at around 25mph the front felt incredibly vague and the wobble feeling returned, so I ended up taking the turn at around 12mph! Usually I enjoy flying around this roundabout at 35-40.

I've checked tyre pressure, I have a Bridgestone on the back and a Dunlop on the front.

I thought I'd bring my issue to all you knowledgeable folk here!

Steve

[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on Sep 26 2007, 01:47 AM, said:

My 03 VFR has appeared to have developed a concerning wobble motion. I first noticed it on the motorway travelling with my topbox over 100mph... but just today whilst riding to work at this mini-roundabout, taking it without the topbox on at around 25mph the front felt incredibly vague and the wobble feeling returned, so I ended up taking the turn at around 12mph! Usually I enjoy flying around this roundabout at 35-40.

I've checked tyre pressure, I have a Bridgestone on the back and a Dunlop on the front.

I thought I'd bring my issue to all you knowledgeable folk here!

Steve
loose the top box, it's a big lump sitting back there in the wind
your steering head bearings may need adjusting
tires could be wearing, particularly cupping on the front
swingarm bearings may also be contributing
check your tire pressures, cold and with a good guage.
is your rear shock still in working order, any sign of fluid leaking out
have you ever changed fork fluid, if not, it needs changing.
bike on centerstand, get a pal to sit on it ...
check for any loose/clunking motion in the forks and the swingarm

oh, I just reread your msg. you have mismatched tires, that's a BIG no-no.
<_<

Thanks very much for all that info, I'll check it out. I realise there's a similar thread going but it isn't just whilst slowing down, it appears to happen at any moment. I very rarely mis-match my tyres but I didn't quite have enough dosh to get the bridgestone so I opted for the cheaper dunlop.. I haven't had any issues with it in the 2000 miles I've done on them so far. It's only started happening, partilculary whilst the weather here in the UK has got colder?

What ever happened? I have matched tires, and am getting a deceleration wobble. Looking for answers.

With the bike on its center stand you standing in front of the bike
place a leg on each side of the front wheel and pench the wheel.
Grab the bars and move from side to side see if you feel play,
then move them front to back at the same time and see if you
feel play. If the wheel moves from side to side your problem is
in the front wheel bearings. If it moves front to back your head
race may be loose or bearings could be worn. Tighten the large
nut in the center of the tripple clamp.

You may find it easier to remove the calipers, let them hang a bit
then try and move the wheel or give it a spin to see if you see a
wobble. With the calipers removed you should be able to get a
good spin on the front wheel to check for warped rotor or rim.

If the wobble increases with speed I would be more apt to saying
its a bearing, warped wheel, or rotor.

The problem is not your topbox. You don't need to loose it. (unless you've filled it with water or something that is heavy and moves around) :P

1. The problem was still there at low speed, where the "lump" of the box would have no effect.
2. I'd venture that most folks who run a top case have gone as fast or faster with no similar effect.

Start with your tires and steering bearings. how many miles are on your front tire? is it cupped?

Good luck working through your excitement.... no more 100++ runs until you get it fixed.

cupped front tire.. 9 times out of 10. loose the "dud"lop.

yep, I think its the tyre, I never had this problem before hand and everyone I've spoken to said they would never mis-match tyres.. the only reason I decided to go for a dunlop is because the dealer was adamant that it makes little to no difference having a different rear tyre. Trouble is I have to replace the rear tyre now but I havent the money to put my bike on both bridgestones front and back.. ahh well I guess you live and learn.

I think I was in the line of thinking that I'm not going to explore the limits of these tryes so for someone like me I wouldn't notice it, but I am, and it's very un-nerving.

''With the bike on its center stand you standing in front of the bike
place a leg on each side of the front wheel and pench the wheel.
Grab the bars and move from side to side see if you feel play,
then move them front to back at the same time and see if you
feel play. If the wheel moves from side to side your problem is
in the front wheel bearings. If it moves front to back your head
race may be loose or bearings could be worn. Tighten the large
nut in the center of the tripple clamp.

You may find it easier to remove the calipers, let them hang a bit
then try and move the wheel or give it a spin to see if you see a
wobble. With the calipers removed you should be able to get a
good spin on the front wheel to check for warped rotor or rim.

If the wobble increases with speed I would be more apt to saying
its a bearing, warped wheel, or rotor. ''

Just tried that thanks, feels rock solid.

... oh man, nearly a year and 4 bikes later and I've got a Maxxis on the front and a Battleaxe on the rear and I'm getting a funny wobbling sensation again, yet when I'm leaned over I could quite literally be happy there all day, smooth, no surprises but in certain situations I can feel it.

It's most noticable if I take one hand off the bars, she starts wobbling frantically!!