Handel Bar Shaking

[GolfVenture]

Went for a short ride today and needed to let go of the handel bars. Doing about 40mph +, when it got down to 35mph the bars shook from left to right very agressively. Another couple more seconds I think I would have crashed. I've only riding probably less than 2000 miles in two years and most of it was at 55mp or faster. So this caught me by surprised. Prior to then it has been 27 years since I've riden.

 

I put 32 psi in the front and I think 47 psi in the back just a couple days ago. As for Air shock pressure I put it about 18 front and I think about 55 rear just yesterday. I'm 170 lbs and riding single with about 5 lbs of luggage.

 

I read another thread about shakey bars but it was referring to after changing bar grips with related to weights.

 

Mine has stock rips.

 

Anyone know what I need to look at?

[Carbon_One]

Check your steering head bearings and tighten them as necessary. There a "how to" to do this in the Tech. library. Here's a link to it -- http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=511

Larry

[Yamamike]

Not that familiar with these bike yet myself (just got my 83) but you should check your steering head bearings and make sure everything on your front end is properly torqued (like fork brace) and/or you may be in need of a Superbrace.

Ride safe,

Mike

[buddy]

Check your steering head bearings and tighten them as necessary. There a "how to" to do this in the Tech. library. Here's a link to it -- http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=511

Larry

 

Carbon One is right ! do this and your problem will be fixed! Larry your the Man....

[Eck]

I would also check the front tire for being off center on the rim (not seated properly) if you just had it changed...not sure if you did have it changed out..

The rim could also be a bent if you hit a good size pot hole..only you would know..

but most likely the neck bearings are loose as already mentioned..

 

[GolfVenture]

It has a super brace and I just recently checked the bolts and they are tight. My 91 VR only has 6800 miles on it. Bought it about a month ago from the origional owner. It is in beautiful condition. I'll look into the steering soon. Meanwhile with the additional infomation I've provided about the 91 VR what other things could cause this.

[Freebird]

How old is the front tire? Gently run your palm along the edge of the tread to feel for cupping.

[GolfVenture]

Front tire has about 700 miles on it. I did this last summer buy a HF tire balancer. Good time for me to learn how to use it.

[Rick Butler]

Brian,

 

Trust me when I say that Larry has identified your problem with packing and adjusting your steering head bearings.

 

However, just about any bike will go into a decelleration wobble doing what you did. Now the real test is to lock the cruise control first and then take your hands lightly off the bars. If you get the wobble at say 40mph (and not at 70mph) then the loose head bearings are just starting to become a problem. But if it also does it at 70 then it's really time to do something about it.

 

But, sometimes tire condition will cause this, but the problem will always come back to the head bearings.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Rick

 

Went for a short ride today and needed to let go of the handel bars. Doing about 40mph +, when it got down to 35mph the bars shook from left to right very agressively. Another couple more seconds I think I would have crashed. I've only riding probably less than 2000 miles in two years and most of it was at 55mp or faster. So this caught me by surprised. Prior to then it has been 27 years since I've riden.

 

I put 32 psi in the front and I think 47 psi in the back just a couple days ago. As for Air shock pressure I put it about 18 front and I think about 55 rear just yesterday. I'm 170 lbs and riding single with about 5 lbs of luggage.

 

I read another thread about shakey bars but it was referring to after changing bar grips with related to weights.

 

Mine has stock rips.

 

Anyone know what I need to look at?

[GolfVenture]

Ok, I'll look into the steering soon.

 

Thanks everyone.

[Preacher Dude]

Check the air preasure in your tires. My 2006 Venture will do that if the tire does not have enough air pressure. Also check to see if you have wore places in that front tire. That will cause your handle bars to shake.

[KarlS]

On my 83 if I use the throttle lock I can go forever without touching the bars. but if I let go without using the throttle lock it will start the deceleration wobble at about 35mph just like yours did. I figured it was the nature of the beast. But do like suggested and try it with your cruise on.

[Kregerdoodle]

I think they nailed it with the barrings, I don`t know anything about 1st gens but if I put 18lbs in my front forks I would have blown the seals right out of the forks.... I think max PSI is around 7lbs... ?????

[CrazyHorse]

Mine will do this also around right in the 35-40 range upon deceleration with no hands. I have to check my bearings also.

[rjg1985]

My 85 did this same thing at 35 mph with a new front tire and properly adjusted head bearings. The fix for me was new Progressive springs. I wasn't sure at the time what was causing the wobble but the bike would bottom out on small bumps so that is why I changed the springs and had discovered that the wobble was also gone.

[bongobobny]

Yah! Very common issue with the 1st gen's. As mentioned previously repack/replace bearings and adjust nut tension, add a super brace, install progressive springs, and check/replace front tire to fix the issue. It usually occurs around 30 to 50 MPH but as long as you hold the handlebars it doesn't have a chance to start...