Whats with the wobble

Tam Dang · Derestricted Danger Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Karma :

I have become a bit more confident on my bike now after crashing it, so push it a bit harder than I used to, and I have noticed that if I let go/hold very lightly the handle bars, then I get vibrations through the forks, this usaully happens under faster riding conditions, and today it scared me as i had the bike leant over and it was wobbbling, it feels as if it gets worse until I grip the hanebars hard enough to stop it. The feeling is similair to a car with the tracking off (small but quite fast side to side)
Now, is this normal, and what steering dampers are for, or is my frame/forks bent. What should I check for?

Thanks, Tam

Aikman666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Karma :

Check for any play in your or notchyness headstock and wheel bearings. Next roll the bike forward a few paces and listen to see if you can hear the brake pads grazing the disk incoherently (meaning you have a warped disk). It could even be down to one of your balancing weights coming off the rim and upsetting the balance which isnt entirely un known.
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The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

steering dampers are for this. thats why they are on bigger bikes. when it happens lots or violently, thats a tank slapper which is very dangerous.

Check everything obvious first like above.

Fagin · Derestricted Danger Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Karma :

You say you crashed it recently?

Have you checked the obvious, tires for damage and pressures? Wheel balancers still there?

Did your bike hit anything? i.e. are the bars straight when you are going straight? If not it good just be the forks are twisted and a loosen off and retighten may do it.

Sometimes what you think is a problem coming from the front is often coming from the back. It's worth checking the rear wheel alignment too.

Fisty · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Karma :

Tam Dang · Derestricted Danger Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Karma :

Yea thanks, thats what I was thinking about the steering damper, ease the symptoms but not the problem. Will have to check alignment.

lydanial · Brolly Dolly Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Karma :

sounds like your wheel out of balance, i think i would start with that.

get it off and to a garage, get them to check it and see.

after that if its still the same then its a process of elimination through everything else.

(edit) when i got my old zx6r 2 years ago it was great to ride up to about 90 (so urban test ride didnt get to see this), anyway hit just over the ton and it started vibrating like mad through the wheels and steering. anyway told my mate i was concerned. he came and had a look and just ripped all the balance weights off the front and back and it was sorted.
mind you the guy who had it before was an old chap who admitted never going above 80 so never felt it, and there was also something like 60grams on the back and 40 on the front. (too many).