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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: weaselnoze on April 25, 2006, 04:47:51 PM

Title: out of alignment..
Post by: weaselnoze on April 25, 2006, 04:47:51 PM
need help here. something has been askew ever since my crash last year.  i have front wheel wobble.  i cant figure out what would cause this.  my wheel is straight and true to my knowledge.  its a new wheel.  but SOMETHING is out of wack. its even visible to the eye.  it seems as tho something is twisted.  the white line shows the direction of the tire/wheel and the green is where it should be.   any input is appreciated..

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/weaselnoze/tempstuff/wheelalign.jpg)
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: roguegeek on April 25, 2006, 04:52:57 PM
I have absolutely no constructive words to give you, but I do have a comment... Your bike isn't straight. What would that make it then? Ghey. :thumb:
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: scratch on April 25, 2006, 04:55:45 PM
May have bent the frame causing the front wheel to be out of alignment with the rear wheel.  Or, the axle is bent.  Tire pressure?

Axle - Take out the cotter pin and loosen the pinch bolt and the axle nut, and rotate the axle in place.  Maybe prop up the front wheel so you can spin it.  Spin the wheel and rotate the axle at the same time, if the brake begins to drag more or less at any point the axle is bent (but it may not be bent alot).
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: weaselnoze on April 25, 2006, 04:58:44 PM
frame took a big hit just under the tank on left side.  front wheel took huge hit too.   i've ruled out bent frame theory tho cause u can see in the picture that its not in line with the fender.  bent forks? its not tire pressure for sure.
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: scratch on April 25, 2006, 05:01:58 PM
Then just rotate the forks in the tripleclamps. :thumb:  But, I doubt that will get rid of the wobble.
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: weaselnoze on April 25, 2006, 05:03:16 PM
so just loosen it and turn in or out?  what do i turn it with?
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: scratch on April 25, 2006, 05:10:23 PM
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25400.msg263530#msg263530
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25109.msg259227#msg259227
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: runsilent on April 25, 2006, 06:14:20 PM
First, put the bike on the centerstand, put blocks under the exhaust pipes and spin the front wheel to see if there is any wobble due to a bent wheel, improperly seated tire, or bent rotor.

Next loosen the 4 screws that attach the fork brace to the forks and 3 of the four triple clamp screws that hold the forks.  If there is a twist in the forks they will slip back in place when loosened.

As far as the fender not lining up with the tire, that is easily corrected.  Loosen all 8 screws in the fork brace and turn fender to align with wheel and tighten.

Can't see enough of that front tire to identify it.  There have been 2 recent reports of front wheel wobble on the EX500 forum with the Sport Demons that wasn't there before the tire change.  Would wobble on coasting in the 40-50 mph range.  Worse if grip on bars is relaxed or released.  I had a similar wobble years ago with a Nighthawk 650 that was corrected with a tire change.

An improperly seated tire can frequently be spotted by visual inspection without spinning.  There is a line around tires close to the lip of the wheel rim that will be equally distant from the rim all the way around if the bead is seated properly.
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: oramac on April 25, 2006, 06:20:27 PM
+1 runsilent

I had a bad wobble right between 45 and 55.  I loosened my fork brace and the castle nut on my axle then realigned.  Tightend everything back up...all better now.
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: runsilent on April 25, 2006, 06:23:38 PM
Quote from: weaselnoze on April 25, 2006, 04:58:44 PM
.........................bent forks? ..........................

Check by removing front wheel and fender and fork brace.  Loosen fork tube in tripple clamp and rotate while observing lowest round part of the fork tube slider to see if it turns true or if wobbles indicating it's bent.
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: jake42 on April 25, 2006, 06:35:16 PM
Can't see enough of that front tire to identify it.  There have been 2 recent reports of front wheel wobble on the EX500 forum with the Sport Demons that wasn't there before the tire change.  Would wobble on coasting in the 40-50 mph range.  Worse if grip on bars is relaxed or released.  I had a similar wobble years ago with a Nighthawk 650 that was corrected with a tire change.

AHAHA.... SO that's the damn culprit.  I have this exact wobble. It's only in the 40-50 mph range. I've tried everything to get rid of it. Had the tires remounted and balanced. Done the triple clamps. Always follow proper torque specs. I even have a new set of steering tube bearings ready to install if I ever had the time.   Never had the problem with the Dunlops on there.
Maybe it's time to try the Avons.


edit... anyone wanna buy a slightly used 140X70 rear sport demon so I can get the Avons.




Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: jake42 on April 26, 2006, 10:14:26 PM
bump--anoyne else have the 40-50 mph wobbles
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: ajgs500 on April 26, 2006, 10:24:12 PM
I'll let you know if I ever get my bike back......
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: Dwn4whadever on April 26, 2006, 10:37:37 PM
Quote from: ajgs500 on April 26, 2006, 10:24:12 PM
I'll let you know if I ever get my bike back......

Is your nike in  the shop?
Title: Re: out of alignment..
Post by: ajgs500 on April 26, 2006, 10:39:33 PM
yes..... i have to call the appraiser tomm so we can hash out the details... they wanted to total the bike cause they no longer make the tank but I said No!!!!!