Tired of the wobble

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Motörhead

Motörhead

Well-known member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
208
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141
Location
Texas
My Bike Models
1985 Kawasaki Concours
1975 Honda GL1000
I've had this 1986 Aspencade for three years now and have racked up about 4.5k miles. The first issue I had with it after performing some repairs and servicing neglected by the PO was a parking lot weave, new tires eliminated it. That said the bike just doesn't inspire confidence when leaning over at speed as there's always a tendency to shake the handlebars, it's controllable by arm pressure but remains disconcerting as stated.

Last Saturday I took a 300 miles trip and upon entering Houston on the return leg a heavy rain was encountered. After a stop to don rain gear and a coffee recharge I proceeded to take a toll road detour around town. Of course there wasn't heavy leaning involved but I did hit some standing water which initiated a spooky tank slapper.

Years ago I took my trips on a Yamaha FJ1200 and this was never a problem.

What do I need to do to cure this and have a GL1200 that handles like a motorcycle should? Start with steering bearings? There's 44k showing on the odometer so I don't believe they're worn out and there isn't any indication of slop using the brake check technique. Fork oil is nearly new.

If this handling problem is an inherent flaw in the bike I'm going to put it on the market, reluctantly.

Edit: adding with the throttle lock engaged at 55 mph I can take both hands off the bars and it tracks with no shake at all, a different characteristic from another owner's problem I read about who described a "death wobble" at 35-45 mph.
 
Last edited:
Agree that steering head bearings can be a problem. I had a wobble on my '82 1100 at higher speeds (75 MPH) and discovered 4 items:

1. Steering head bearings were worn.
2. Front shock springs were worn (replaced with Progressive fork springs which stiffened the front end).
3. I had a Vetter faring which added 40lbs of weight to the front end.
4. I was carrying too much weight on the back end of the bike when taking long trips. In the 1100 manual, it specifically states the weight limits and that the bike can become, "unstable" if overloaded. I might have been a bit overloaded!

CGW_Midwest_Meet_2013 039.jpg


I changed the bags, removed the faring, changed the weight distribution and then added a trailer to tow cargo. That solved my wobble issues!


IMG_1073.JPG
 
There is one way (according to Honda) to check the steering stem bearings adjustment....

https://classicgoldwings.com/media/frame-and-suspension-12-25.31162/

brake check isn't it. When that method you'll know your bearings are shot (my opinion and experience).

That wobble can also be induced by the rear swing arm and wheel bearings.

The FSM has other things that should be checked also....
 
Thanks all for taking the time to pitch in. I guess a complete steering and suspension rebuild is on the menu for the winter. Hopefully it'll roll into turns properly.
 
dan filipi said:
I changed the front tire then wobble went away but did return after a few thousand miles.
Click to expand...
Same here and there's hardly any wear visible. I'm going to try steering head bearings first then another tire. Disassembly of the swingarm is not going to be loads of fun.
 
Motörhead said:
I've had this 1986 Aspencade for three years now and have racked up about 4.5k miles. The first issue I had with it after performing some repairs and servicing neglected by the PO was a parking lot weave, new tires eliminated it. That said the bike just doesn't inspire confidence when leaning over at speed as there's always a tendency to shake the handlebars, it's controllable by arm pressure but remains disconcerting as stated.

Last Saturday I took a 300 miles trip and upon entering Houston on the return leg a heavy rain was encountered. After a stop to don rain gear and a coffee recharge I proceeded to take a toll road detour around town. Of course there wasn't heavy leaning involved but I did hit some standing water which initiated a spooky tank slapper.

Years ago I took my trips on a Yamaha FJ1200 and this was never a problem.

What do I need to do to cure this and have a GL1200 that handles like a motorcycle should? Start with steering bearings? There's 44k showing on the odometer so I don't believe they're worn out and there isn't any indication of slop using the brake check technique. Fork oil is nearly new.

If this handling problem is an inherent flaw in the bike I'm going to put it on the market, reluctantly.

Edit: adding with the throttle lock engaged at 55 mph I can take both hands off the bars and it tracks with no shake at all, a different characteristic from another owner's problem I read about who described a "death wobble" at 35-45 mph.
Click to expand...
I bought my 1985 GL1200LTd new in '85 (still have the old girl). She gave me fits such as your's for three decades. From new she was not confidence inspiring. Honda could not duplicate the head shake she would do. Of course the mechanics rode with both hands on the handlebars. Through the years I replaced tires, fork brace, headset bearings, and fork springs. Nothing seemed to cure her problem. I wearily lived with the issue thinking it was a model design issue. After restoring two barn find 1200s I discovered how a 1200 should handle. There was only one other thing I had not replaced....front wheel bearings. After three decades I found the problem...but who would have thought bad wheel bearings straight out of the crate?! Now she is a different bike that I enjoy often...I ride it as often as my 1800. Check them bearings!
 
Dale Young said:
I bought my 1985 GL1200LTd new in '85 (still have the old girl). She gave me fits such as your's for three decades. From new she was not confidence inspiring. Honda could not duplicate the head shake she would do. Of course the mechanics rode with both hands on the handlebars. Through the years I replaced tires, fork brace, headset bearings, and fork springs. Nothing seemed to cure her problem. I wearily lived with the issue thinking it was a model design issue. After restoring two barn find 1200s I discovered how a 1200 should handle. There was only one other thing I had not replaced....front wheel bearings. After three decades I found the problem...but who would have thought bad wheel bearings straight out of the crate?! Now she is a different bike that I enjoy often...I ride it as often as my 1800. Check them bearings!
Click to expand...
The first link between the tire/wheel and motorcycle which must resist the torque impacted from lean angles, that has to be it! I checked for severe wear when the tire was changed by rotating the bearings with the fingers but, of course, that is only a cursory examination.

Quality bearings are on order and will post results.
 

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