Please help! Back wheel wobble and other stuff...

[Feasty]

I'm seriously worried about my bike. I'm currently at work after riding in this morning and now I'm not sure if riding it back home again tonight is a good idea, problem is I have no idea what's wrong with it!

It all started end of last week when the rear tyre felt like it had some oil on it, puncture or the pressure was too low. Cornering felt like I was on ice and I just had zero confidence at leaning over - I did anyway (stupid perhaps!) and the bike still kept grip absolutely fine. Hard acceleration was still fine and so made me think it was just my imagination. I checked the tyre anyway, pressure was fine, loads of grip left, nothing slippy on the tyre at all.
Yesterday the bike felt the same way, perhaps more so. I checked all the same things again but still can't find anything wrong. Then this morning it was worse still. This time I can definitely feel the rear wheel wobbling from side to side and when going round corners/roundabouts there's a kind of metallic clicking/squealing noise. If I accelerate hard the bike feels very slippy and wobbles a little from side to side.
So, things checked so far:

Tyre
Pressure is correct.
Tread, well there's loads left and nothing on the tyre that could cause it to slip.

Rear wheel
All the spokes seem solid.
I've got hold of the wheel and attempted to move it left and right, it moves a very small amount but nothing abnormal seems to happen. It still looks straighty compared to the front.

Chain
Looks okay and recently been lubbed.

Swingarm
All looks okay, again gave it a good shaking but nothing moves enough to worry me. The shock is quite rusty at the bottom where it attaches to the frame but doesn't appear to be coming apart at all.

Nuts and bolts
I haven't been able to use any tools, but nothing seems to be missing and everything is at least hand tight as I can't undo anything.


Only thing I can think it is, is either the wheel bearings - but would the bike feel so wobbly if these were on their way out? Or a buckled wheel, but surely that couldn't happen, I don't do any off roading or anything!?

My next thing to do would be to get it onto a paddock stand and check everything again, however I can't do that until I ride home. I'm not happy riding home because of how wobbly the bike now feels on corners!

I have no idea what to do.... Currently I'm going to try and ask some biker blokes I know to have a look at it with me. My other option is to call breakdown, but then it they can't find anything I have no option but to be taken home... and where does that leave me, since I can't get my bike to the local bike shop and they don't collect!

Any ideas very welcome!?
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[iooi]

Cracked frame...

Personally take a very steady ride to your local garage. Unless you are confident enough to remove rear wheel and check bearing, runout and the rest of the rear end.

It could simply be that your tyres have got squared off and you are sitting right on the point of the square.
Then again it could be something else.

Could even be the front bearings that have gone....
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Timmeh]

Get the front in the air and check the head bearings. If you can push/pull the front wheel back and forth then they are shot.

My CBR did the same thing a while ago, it was very unsteady in the corners and felt like it wanted to lowside all the time. A rebuild kit and two new front wheel bearings fixed it right up.


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GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
20:22:30 BLUEX5: i would love to be forced to undergo a**l plugging with different sizes
20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[Feasty]

Thanks for those tips, I've just had a couple of biker lads I know have a look and it appears the rear bearings are shot. I was able to get the rear wheel in the air and have a jiggle, the wheel moves quite a few mm's. It's alright when you know what you're looking for... I wouldn't have had a clue!!

I'm really suprised though as I didn't think that small amount of movement in the bearings would translate to such a big feeling of being wobbled all over the place on the road!

Hopefully it's safe enough to take a slow ride to the shop and get them replaced...
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).