Speed wobble at 45-55

[robfriedenberger]

So I got a bit of an odd one here guys, so over the week end I took a 600 mile trip though ohio sending some friends off of a cross country trip. During the course of that trip the gs was happy as it could be besides a slight speed wobble......I've never noticed this before and it kinda scared me to be honest. So I noticed 8/10 times if I would let go of the bars at 55ish and cost that I would get a speed wobble, if i placed one finger on the bars the wobble would be gone, or if i tapped the rear brake.

I though this was kinda strange but i figured that it was due to all my gear soaked riding jacked soaked ridding pants, sleeping bag, tent, change of clothes, tank bag with tools. So it didn't freak me out that much, until monday when I had a quick run to the store, so in squid fashion I noticed the same thing.

Bearing are new as of may so I doubt they are the culprit, would they be consistent or only a a certain speed  ?

Tires are bt-45s with 3k on them, I didn't balance them but I have not noticed this before. Once again if it were tires I'd thing would be all the time

I'll hopefully be pulling the front wheel today to check the front end bearings, whats the best way to check the steering stem bearings

[Janx101]

i get that wobble if i go hands free too.... not severe but its disconcerting for sure! ... i solved it by keeping at least one hand on the bars while moving! 

if it turns out to be an issue with your investigation then i guess id better take note and follow your lead! 

[robfriedenberger]

I worry to much not to figure it out, its scary when the rear wheel bearings go so I cant image the front ones.

[gsJack]

Never had any stability issues with the GSs but had to change the steering head bearings on 2 of my old Hondas.  The Nighthawk 650 was similar to yours, coasting down from 40-50 mph with hands off of bars I had a wobble.  A new front tire eliminated it for a short while but then it came back.  A new set of steering head bearings then fixed it for good.

Checked the bearings by putting on ctr stand and lifting front end by pushing down on rear grab handle and slowiy turning the bars back and forth thru the center position.  A slight detent could be felt at straight ahead position in both cases.   Also encourage the bars to turn from center and release them with wheel held up and if they don't turn all the way to lock from weight of bars could be a bearing tightness problem.  Then with bars straight ahead bounce the front of bike on front tire to check for looseness in bearings.

[Suzuki Stevo]

One of the things that will cause headshake if it's not a worn out part is a steep (quick) steering angle, in that case headshake goes with the territory, like if you added a longer shock in the rear, that would alter the steering angle.  But that doesn't sound like what's going on in your case if you have never noticed it before.

[robfriedenberger]

I checked the steering stem bearings by sitting on the bike today wile on the center stand, It felt really smooth and just wanted hit the locks, I tried to pull on the bars and push to check for lose-ness and there was none. Ill check by bouncing the front end in the morning.

I forgot to add that I did adjust the the rear factory shock all the way up since my gear was adding a few pounds, Ill try to dial it back down to see if that helps 

[mustangGT90210]

I'd put money on it being a tire. Get that thing balanced if it isn't. If not, get it checked out and prepare to replace it. I've had to replace front tires twice on 2 different bikes because they were worn in a way that caused them to shake at that speed.

[Joolstacho]

Ah jeez Rob, it's that spelling mistake on "Tires" again !

[robfriedenberger]

I attempted to bounce the front end this morning, and it seamed fine. No weird movement or play. However when riding down a large hill and hitting the front brake I notice the bars clicked slightly forward. So it seams like steering stem bearings as of right now. I'm going to wait it out until the end of the season to tear into it, I'm not ready to give up any riding days. Hopefully it can wait until colder days.