I just relaized that I have no clue why this phenomenon happens! The rig was not correct... for months... never wobbled (now:35mph while slowing down... / riding at that speed a bit too), now that all is perfect... it started the wobble! Annoying... mainly also in curves that I would take at 35mph... (a bit now... I feel it). What is wrong??? alignement?
Appreciate it...
Be well...
Ara
Originally written by Beemerchef on 8/9/2007 8:41 PM
I just relaized that I have no clue why this phenomenon happens! The rig was not correct... for months... never wobbled (now:35mph while slowing down... / riding at that speed a bit too), now that all is perfect... it started the wobble! Annoying... mainly also in curves that I would take at 35mph... (a bit now... I feel it). What is wrong??? alignement?
Appreciate it...Be well...
Ara
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Could be anyone of a number of things or a combination of things. Any part that pivots with bearings or bushing invloved can be worn and cause a wobble to appear. (swingarm pivots, steering hear bearing etc). Also Loose spokes or flexing mount(s)can be an issue. If any mounts have moved the setup woudl have changed some which can cause a wobble.
What we hear referred to as a low speed wobble on a rig is not uncommon at all. I like to call it headshake instead if it is controllable by keeping a hand on the bars.
A common bandaid is a steering damper. I would explore all other avenues to get it corrected before installing a damper though.
Ara,
I hate to say it, but that's always been my early clue of a broken mount, but as Claude says there are many other possible causes.
Sometimes it can be as simple as a change in tire pressure or tread pattern.
You might also check your toe in. If it is nearly zero, nudge it in a little and see what happens.
Are you still at OxBow? I have been too busy to come looking for you and we are off to the Bend area this weekend, but I still would like to meet you and take a look at your rig.
Vernon
info@adventuresidecar.com
Originally written by Beemerchef on 8/9/2007 6:41 PM
I just relaized that I have no clue why this phenomenon happens! The rig was not correct... for months... never wobbled (now:MPH while slowing down... / riding at that speed a bit too), now that all is perfect... it started the wobble! Annoying... mainly also in curves that I would take at 35mph... (a bit now... I feel it). What is wrong??? alignement?
Appreciate it...Be well...
Ara
I dare say that all is not perfect. What exactly has been changed since there was no shake?
Aside from the answers already given, the weight distribution can come into play. I once had a HitchHiker mounted to a GL1200. The sidecar had three sets of mounting holes for the frame. I could lift the body off and move it forward or rearward on it's frame. The maximum difference between all the way forward and all the way back was only about 6 inches, but the handling would change dramatically from one position to the next. If I remember right, the further back it was the more shimmy I would get at the handlebars. When I moved it forward, the shake disappeared completely. Moving the fiberglass body that much should not have changed the weight distribution much at all, but it really made a difference.
For me, it's usually that the front ire pressure is low. Sometimes it means I need to tighten the steering bearings a hair. Ocassionally, a little bump at a weird angle will set it off, but when I steer hard to the left and back again, it usually stops.
I am still in Oxbow!!! I was going to move today as it was HOT yesterday, but it cooled off... Should be here for a while, one more week maybe... Vernon, are you also Red Menace on ADV Rider?
Oh!... what has changed?... nothing really as far as the alignement... Actually Andy who redid a lot left it the same, I have close to 7/8th" toe in... of course still pulls to the R when have road camber, even with the TILT...(unless TILT very high) and Jay Dauntless, Doug actually did the work, was kind enough to change the big bolts that hold the arms and also the threaded parts, he did not like at all what was showing... It did not wobble when it left the shop... I just checked... as I do now once a week, all the bolts and NOTHING is broken... The tires?... I keep them at... 40... I use to keep them at 38... maybe too much you might say? Will try less pressure tomorrow... I am not on flat ground to check more alignement...
A guessing game it is going to be... I know that!
The springs (Ohlins/really rides great!)of the bike have been changed to a 400lb rating, or something like that... (I still need to change that wonderful Ural shock!), maybe it is too stiff now... increased the rebound/dampening to a softer setting? Will try that too...
Thank for helping... I really appreciate it... come by and see me Vernon, no phone here but 24/7 Internet... MUST be the Swaybar!!! Ah!ah!ah!... just kidding Claude!!!
Be well...
Ara & Spirit
>>>MUST be the Swaybar!!! Ah!ah!ah!... just kidding Claude!!!<<<
Ara, unhook one end of the swaybar and see if it makes any difference. Just curious.
Note that you shoudl nto have a pull to the right unless something has changed. Possiblt static tilt or lean has changed. Static tilt can change is your sidecar shock is sacked out. This would preload the swaybar and could cause an issue. Check it out.
Originally written by Beemerchef on 8/10/2007 7:11 PM
I am still in Oxbow!!! I was going to move today as it was HOT yesterday, but it cooled off... Should be here for a while, one more week maybe... Vernon, are you also Red Menace on ADV Rider?
Ara & Spirit
Yes, I am the Red Menace! Looking at your map, you drove right by my place coming up the Columbia Gorge. We had some Australian friends, who are touring North America aboard a black 07 Ural Patrol, staying with us they passed through Hells Canyon and Ox bow around August 3rd and were heading East...
Ara,
You made a long ride through tough terretories.
The bearing balls or cones start to make nests and start to deform, which mekes headshake become worse.
Small sugestion: Check the bearings of the stearing head this way:
Lift the bike on its main stand. Put weight or somebody on the back seat to lift the front wheel. With a finger touching the upper bearing cap and the main frame force the front fork forth. If you feel slack tighten it up.
Then move the handle softly from end to end. It must be completely smooth. When the bearings are worn in the center the handle bar will wobble and "click back" into the center position.
Then its high time to change them.
Good bless you and Spirit,
My kids and my person are jealous... some moment we are on the road to destiny.
Best regards
Sven Peter Pan
This article may help explain.
"Why does it Wobble? By Bill Ballou"
http://members.aol.com/sidebike99/sidecararticles.html
Well, my front Ohlin shock (and rear also) was send back about a month ago to have the new springs mounted and at the same time serviced as I have it done every 20K. also my front one was sipping oil... this morning as I wanted to sfoten them a bit (trial and error) I noticed the front one is sipping again... I have it always done in Georgia, Jacob at Canton Yamaha, use to be with TRAXXION Dynamics (all AMA work) always has done a great job... but, something has gone wrong... I did soften both shocks as I went to town, better, stil wobbles between 40 and 30 at deccelaration... might be the leakage that has changed to shocks property... So... as good Karma entails... I bumped into a bunch of riders from Seattle that all had Ohlins and they gave me a few places i could check if they could do a repair while I wait, not having much of a choice...
The closest being "Mac's" in Clarkston?... not sure if they service Olhins...
A little further "Rob Muzzi Kawazaki" in Bend, OR...
And for sure GP Suspension in Portland...
Good info... The rig is rideable of course... would not go too far... will start getting some phone numbers on the Internet... write or go somewhere where my phone works!!! No coverage at all here...
The fun part of living on the road!!!
Who knows Vernon, maybe I will see you if I backtrack!!!
Be well... and yes, will check the bearings too.
Ara & Spirit
Well, how about that!!! I soften the rebound/damp on both Ohlins and the wobble is practically gone!!! Just a hair of it when slowing down with hands OFF the handlebar (I know... keep your hands on the handlebar!!!) around 25mph... only at THAT speed... no wobble with hands ON the handlebar... Maybe we have learned something boys and girls?
The springs as I mentionned where changed to/for a 400lb rider (you know TwinTwin's math equation...), this means that when the rebound/damp is too hard... it will wobble... That is just my rig of course... could it be generalized?... who knows!
Checked the oil leak again... it is just wet at the bottom... definitly needs to be fixed...
Anyhow... amazing as how things changed even when you cough twice and keep on riding!!! Only cough once...
Your help on this Forum is always appreciated...
Be well...
Ara & Spirit
Jawa importers comment to sipping front fork:
"Become aware when when no oil is comeing out!"
Next service I will try machinery shaft seals
Sven
Ara, Connie and I will be driving down the coast,, from Bellingham to Los ANgeles on our return from Alaska next week. We arrive in Bellingham on the ferry next Tuesday the 21st. Stopping in Portland,Or., then home.
If you will be in the area over that time frame, would love to hook up and say hello.
Greg
Well, no wobble... not the slightest... no pulling... smooth... and why?... I had to get three tires today in Boise!!! my tires were gone pretty much... Worn out tires causing a wobble??? I tightened up back the damp/comp of the shocks... still perfect... did we learn something? or did I sneeze to hard!!!
Greg... Portland is 360 miles from here... I am actually going tomorrow to have my shock fixed friday by GP suspension while I wait... Let me know if you have any plans to come this way...
Be well...
Ara & Spirit
