Wobble!

[Im Faster]

Okay, this is driving me NUTS!!!

I ride a 1983 GS750E, always had this problem since i bought it.
I put some Progressive springs in hoping it would help but it did not other than that new tires did not help either.

The problem, driving on the freeway especially, at speeds over 80 i get wobbly (no i dont constantly drive that fast, i was just trying to trouble shoot this problem)
Also (the part that scares me) when driving at highways speeds 65+ and I change lines (with the bump between the lanes, or going over the thick painted lines) i wobble also its just for a second or two then its done.
not wrecked that i know of, i dropped into in a parking lot once, on a stupid tar snake going like 3 mph maybe,
30k miles

Oh also if im riding, and take my hands off the bars it pulls to the left, i can get it to ride strait but i have to sit like on the right side of the bike.


any ideas?

[tkent02]

Steering stem berings, swingarm bearings, are the likely culprits. Tires, shocks, forks, other things may have an effect as well. No change at all with the fork springs or the tires? Is this a high mileage bike or has it been wrecked?

[Im Faster]

not wrecked that i know of, i dropped into in a parking lot once, on a stupid tar snake going like 3 mph maybe,
30k miles

Oh also if im riding, and take my hands off the bars it pulls to the left, i can get it to ride strait but i have to sit like on the right side of the bike.

[spyug]

Can you be more specific? Is it in the front end or do you feel it under your bum?

In either case, I would suspect wheel bearings or head stock bearings, or if in the rear, perhaps swingarm bearings. I once had an XS650 with a worn swingarm bearing that would "twitch" when making lane changes. Just for a second then fine again going straight.

If its from the backend, it could also be chain and sprockets out of alignment.

You mention new tires, so I presume these were properly installed and balanced? There is also a possibility that you have problem rim. Is it cast or are you running wires? If they are cast look for dings or anything that may cause it not to turn true i.e. wobbles a bit. There is more of a likely hood this is the issue with wires that the spokes are not properly "tuned" and once again the wheel is not turning true.

It could be any of these things or even a combination so I think you need to try and narrow down which end of the bike it appears to come from. Get the bike on a lift or center stand and rotate the wheels looking for true running. Push and pull on things to check for sloppiness. Everything should be tight but move smoothly. Try and wiggle and torque the swingarm (i.e with the backend raised and wheel not touching the ground push down on one side while pulling up the other). It should move up and down but not sideways. Check the steering head bearing the handle bars should move smoothly side to side with no notchiness.

Let us know if you find anything suspicious.

[tkent02]

Oh also if im riding, and take my hands off the bars it pulls to the left, i can get it to ride strait but i have to sit like on the right side of the bike.

What method of aligning the rear wheel do you use when you adjust the chain?

Are the forks tweaked in the triple clamps?

[Im Faster]

The wobble is the front end shaking like in the handlebars.
mine also is only for a second. the faster im going the longer it lasts basically.

tires were installed at a shop and balanced cast rims.
they LOOK fine but ill double check.

[Im Faster]

nothing appears to be tweaked (and i did gave the problem before i dropped it.)
and ive never aligned anything.

[tkent02]

and ive never aligned anything.

Not even when you adjust the chain tension?

[Guest]

When was the last time the steering head and swing arms bearings have been serviced? How about the wheel bearings? Fork oil? Check the rims and tires and make they run out true. Sometimes you can get a tire that is not round. Check all your alignments including the chain to the sprockets. Could be one thing or a number of things contributing to the wobble. Think about purchasing a fork brace as well.

[Im Faster]

well i guess so, ive only had to adjust the chain once.

[Im Faster]

ive never serviced the steering head or swing arm bearings.
and never replaced wheel bearings.

[Guest]

ive never serviced the steering head or swing arm bearings.
and never replaced wheel bearings.

Get busy then, you have some work to do. You can't be Faster with a bike that doesn't handle.

[tkent02]

You have some work to do. Just a guess, several of these bearings are a little bit worn, the rear wheel being misaligned sets it off.
All easy to fix.

[Im Faster]

what exactly should i replace
-wheel bearings
-swing arm bearing
- steering head bearing
anything else?

[Guest]

what exactly should i replace
-wheel bearings
-swing arm bearing
- steering head bearing
anything else?

If they have never been serviced since you have had the bike (chances are they have never been serviced on a bike that old), replace it all. Forks need servicing as well. Rear shocks? They stock or aftermarkets?