Hi to All...A question to all who might have experienced this condition: I have a 1980 GL interstate I fully dismantled (engine from frame to bare frame) that has 27000 original miles on it. When fully re-assembled and test driven I do experience a scary wobble every time I run over any a road seam that's got imperfections or just irregular road surfaces. This does present a white knuckle moment every time this happens. During the re-assembly process all bearings were inspected for dimensions and condition...all is good. The proper torques were observed for all installations during re-assembly. The tires are at propper inflation with little wear, it does ride well on good surfaced roads at any speeds. Any ideas or cures are very welcome...........
HondaWalt
Scary wobbling when riding over road imperfections
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- newday777
- Posts: 857
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:21 pm
- Location: Milford NH and Oceanside, CA (N San Diego)
- Motorcycle: 2008 Cabernet Red. Level 4
1983 GL1100A Wineberry to sell 36,000 miles
1999A Restored and sold at 19,000 miles
1999SE Totaled by cager at 105,000 miles
Re: Scary wobbling when riding over road imperfections
Happy New Year HondaWalt
Have you gone back and retorqued the steering nut? They need to be retorqued after 100 miles or so.
How old is the date codes of the tires?
What tire pressures are you running?
Are you keeping watch of the tire pressures weekly, each time you ride? I know it's winter there. I grew up riding in NH.
Did you inspect the underside of the frame around the swingarm? They have been know to rust out along with the removable frame member that holds the motor. If the bike was rode in the salt conditions that could be a possibility along if you are at the coast and have ambient salt air moisture. I know the ambient air has lots of moisture there anyhow so check those areas closely.
Have you gone back and retorqued the steering nut? They need to be retorqued after 100 miles or so.
How old is the date codes of the tires?
What tire pressures are you running?
Are you keeping watch of the tire pressures weekly, each time you ride? I know it's winter there. I grew up riding in NH.
Did you inspect the underside of the frame around the swingarm? They have been know to rust out along with the removable frame member that holds the motor. If the bike was rode in the salt conditions that could be a possibility along if you are at the coast and have ambient salt air moisture. I know the ambient air has lots of moisture there anyhow so check those areas closely.
- tiretony
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2012 3:54 pm
- Location: Joshua Tree, CA
- Motorcycle: 1983 gl1100a aspencade
Re: Scary wobbling when riding over road imperfections
If the tire was removed during restoration be sure it has reseated properly. There is a thin line molded into the tire very close to the bead. That is called the rim line and it has to be parallel to the rim all the way around on both sides of the tire. The tire will look OK to a casual observer but check that rim line. Definitely a possible cause of that wobble. If it is not seated the rim line will dive closer to the rim in that area, you then need to lubricate the beads and reinflate the tire.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (wife's!)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Scary wobbling when riding over road imperfections
The causes are myriad, but a lot of them have to do with looseness. I had this problem develop in my GL1500 recently, and it turned out to be a failing front wheel bearing that was causing free play in my front wheel. It can also be loose steering head bearings, loose suspension bushings, worn/loose axle or fastener hardware, even a loose swingarm pivot/bearing or rear wheel bearing.
My GL1100 had a high-speed weave, it turned out whoever had installed the swingarm last, put the pivot pins in backward (right on left side, left on right side), causing too much lateral free play in the swingarm. Once I put the pins in correctly, greased and torqued them, the weave went away.
This topic gets a lot of talk here - have a look through some of the other threads for suggestions: Front-end wobble
My GL1100 had a high-speed weave, it turned out whoever had installed the swingarm last, put the pivot pins in backward (right on left side, left on right side), causing too much lateral free play in the swingarm. Once I put the pins in correctly, greased and torqued them, the weave went away.
This topic gets a lot of talk here - have a look through some of the other threads for suggestions: Front-end wobble
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- Posts: 33
- Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:10 am
- Location: west haven,ct.
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100
1980 CB 900C
1974 CB 550
Re: Scary wobbling when riding over road imperfections
"Happy New Year" and Thanks to all here that responded to my question. I will be useing this information in hopes to cure my bike problems when the weather warms and I can work in my garage. Upon a successfull test drive I will post the cure here for all to know. That being said if someone else in the future has a similar problem the wisdom of this forum can agin be passed on.
This Site and Group of individuals are Great, especially since this is such a diverse bank of experience and knowlage.....Thanks Again!
HondaWalt
This Site and Group of individuals are Great, especially since this is such a diverse bank of experience and knowlage.....Thanks Again!
HondaWalt
- littlebeaver
- Posts: 4452
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- Motorcycle: 1981 gl 1100 I , 79 Yamaha XS11
Special, 82 Kawa 750 CSR, 82 Kawa 750 LTD, 03 Kawa Nomad 1500, 99 Kawa Voyager 1200
Re: Scary wobbling when riding over road imperfections
Oh my gosh really WingAdmin. backwards? the allen set thingy was on the other side of the battery side...Wow...How in the World could anyone make a mistake like that, that's scary, how long before you found that problem, oh man..
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 18736
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (wife's!)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Scary wobbling when riding over road imperfections
You don't even want to know.littlebeaver wrote:Oh my gosh really WingAdmin. backwards? the allen set thingy was on the other side of the battery side...Wow...How in the World could anyone make a mistake like that, that's scary, how long before you found that problem, oh man..
