I copied this from a post from Jeff Saunders (owner of Z1 enterprises)

Motorcycle Wobble/Vibration Causes

There's a LONG list of potential area that can cause this.

These are not in any particular order

Wheel bearings

Steering bearings - repack grease, check tightness

Swing arm bushings/sleeves/bearings - replace if worn, repack grease

Fork springs aging - check spring length

Unequal fork oil - if seals leak, then your damping can be ineffective

Rear shocks aging, damper leaks - if you have oil leaking from the seals, the damping is toast.

Worn Tires/Mismatched tires/tire pressures/wrong size tires

Wheel alignment - don't trust the chain adjusters - I visually align the wheels.

Bent rims/broken spokes - get the wheels off the ground and spin them - check for run out / damage

Balance the wheels- makes a big difference.

Check for wheel run out(out of round).

Tire not fully beaded(seated on the rim).

Low air pressure in either tire.

Front disc warped - check for run out(out of round)

Dragging brake pads

Steering & swing arm bearings are very common problems, but so are tire issues (pressure/mismatch) and wheel alignment.

 

Would a steering damper help and where would you find one for it and I was also told by a dealer that it was a manufacturing safety feature built into the bike so you don't take your hands off the bars how true is this

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Steering dampners will help, but you'll probably need to make up a custom mount for it. Some choices:

Hyperpro Steering Dampers
webBikeWorld Search Results

 

I want to thank you for all your help

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My 85 Yamaha Virago 1000 was that way, if I let go of the bars it wobbled, but my 900 doesn't. I can let go and it stays smooth. I don't know for how long, because I have only done it for a few seconds.

 

Would a steering damper help

Maybe but that is just covering up a problem that is likely to get worse.
What speed does this happen at ?

You really should check over the things on the list provided before you consider a damper.
I think tires, alignment, wheel bearings and head bearings are at the top of the list.

Most bikes will exhibit a slight twitch at low speed with no hands......but it is only slight and should go away with a little increase in speed. Above 30, there should be NONE.

 

I would definitely check your bike against the list from Mike, especially if there has been no other damage or modification to the front end. That is, no crashes (low speed) or bumps that could have bent something (don't ask how I know!). Did the problem just start, or has it been there all along? My 1600 Classic has 38000 miles, and it still runs straight and true up around 95 mph (haven't gone faster than that in years). Also, I have no windshield. I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but I wouldn't think so. Hope you get it solved, wobbles are no fun.

 

Also, I have no windshield. I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but I wouldn't think so.

It shouldn't......unless it is mounted REALLY poorly. That is, crooked or off center or the shield itself is loose.

 

I don't think that is true no one would put something on a bike to make the front end wobble if you take your hands off the bars. Do not let the person touch your bike .

 

I don't think that is true no one would put something on a bike to make the front end wobble if you take your hands off the bars. Do not let the person touch your bike .

What is that comment referring to ??
I don't understand.
A short quote might help.

Of course nobody would PURPOSELY put something on that makes the front end unstable.

 

in australia its called tank slapping most common reason loose steering head bearings steering damper would help.

 

in australia its called tank slapping most common reason loose steering head bearings steering damper would help.

A "tank slapper" is what happens if you ignore it and it gets bad enough to cause a crash.

And I hope you are not recommending attaching a steering damper INSTEAD of fixing loose steering head bearings.......or any other known defect for that matter !!!

 

Sounds like the Vulcan Shimmy dance to me. It's caused by cupped tires on the front. I have a 2001 Drifter too, and I know when it's getting about time for tires when I get the wobble and I hear a hum from the front when I lean into a turn. You can run your hand over the tire and feel the raised edges on the tread. Seems that all the drifters get this, and so do a lot of the similar year F.I. Classics (same front forks and geometry). Replacing the front tire cures it.

If it's the steering neck bearings you can lift the front wheel off the ground and slowly turn the bars lock to lock. If it's smooth all the way, both ways, then you're good. If there's a "hitch" in the movement then you need to look into having the bearings worked on.

 

no of cause not fix the problem first then put the dampener on .you dont have to crash for it to be a tank slapper.

 

no of cause not fix the problem first then put the dampener on .
you dont have to crash for it to be a tank slapper.

Sigh.

If you find and fix the problem, likely a tire as was mentioned, you then won't NEED a steering damper.

An actual tank slapper is when the bars oscillate between full left and full right uncontrollably at high speed.

It is very unusual to recover from that without some kind of crash or get-off. I don't remember ever seeing one successfully recovered.

 

If it's the steering neck bearings you can lift the front wheel off the ground and slowly turn the bars lock to lock. If it's smooth all the way, both ways, then you're good. If there's a "hitch" in the movement then you need to look into having the bearings worked on.

I heard to check this you jack the front end up off the ground & pull up/forward then push down/backward on the forks several times, if there's play then there's stem bearing issues? Am I mistaken? :shock:

 

That'll work too, just some aren't so keen on yanking their bike around when it's already flying. The notchiness (not a word, but you know) will tell ya just as easy and there's less chance of a catastrophic event ruining your day.

 

What about bent rear shocks could that cause a head shake and it doesn't matter what speed it still does it and I bought it used and I didn't notice it until my brother said something because I dont make it a habit of riding with no hands lol because I've had it looked over by a dealer and there saying that its in alignment and the wheel bearings are fine also had the front fork tubes replaced and tires the only thing left is the neck bearings and they say there ok too

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Took my bike into the shop they replaced the bad neck and wheel bearings and no more head shake

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Took my bike into the shop they replaced the bad neck and wheel bearings and no more head shake

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Good to see you got it figured out and taken care of. Gonna be able to ride it some now and enjoy it? Many of us are stashing the bikes away for the winter.

 

Happy Thanksgiving all

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