Front end wobble??

[Flash105]

Bought a 08 Venture with 30k miles. Tires are old and I have a front end wobble when I let go of the handlebars!! I hope new tires will fix my issue.. Any Suggestions?? I'm thinking on putting Dunlops on her!!

[SpencerPJ]

I'd bet on your tires. I ride an older bike (83) so I can not say what the best ones are. Oh that debate could could on and on. lol

 

Next bet would be a loose front fork (steering head bearing nut). Pretty easy fix.

 

Here are a few older threads and opinions.

 

https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?132283-Front-End-Wobble

 

https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?57407-Front-End-Wobble

 

https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?29254-Front-End-Wobble

Edited May 6, 2020 by SpencerPJ

[CaseyJ955]

I've never gone wrong with Dunlop.

 

+1 on steering head bearing check/adjust along with tires.

[XV1100SE]

My experience is that the steering head is loose. Easy "quick fix" and doesn't cost you anything.

Trick is to elevate the bike (level) and turn the handlebars 45 degrees to the left. Turning to the right won't work as cables will impact the test. Let go of the handlebars after stopping at 45 degrees and if the bike turns, then you are too loose.

I don't rely on the "bounce" test because it is dependent on how hard you "bounce" it. If the bars move from a stopped 45 degrees, you are too loose. Loose steering head will cause the wobble when you let go of the bars.

[saddlebum]

I find the best way to set up the bearings is to follow manufacture spec using a torque wrench, If a torque wrench and/or special wrench is not available, then the next best method in my book, is follow the same procedure you would when setting up tapered wheel bearings such as those used on a trailer wheels.

 

With the front wheel off the ground

1 - tighten bearing while turning handle bars left to right until some drag is felt on handle bars.

2 - back off the nut until loose.

3 - re-tighten until you just reach a point were there is zero lash

4 - back off the nut approx 1/8 of a turn (this can vary from bike to bike) this will leave a bit of lash

5 - tighten the lock nut this should eliminate any lash introduced by backing off the adjusting nut

6 - with the front wheel still off the ground grab the fork at the axle. push and pull, back and forth to feel for any free play (bearing lash) .001" to .005" which is barely noticeable is acceptable but zero lash with no binding is preferred.

 

IF - there is too much lash back off the jam nut and just add a bit to the adjusting nut then tighten the jam nut.

 

ALWAYS keep in mind that what ever you set the adjusting nut to the jam nut will add to it and this is why you do not want to remove all the lash with the adjusting nut alone or the bearing could end up too tight.