Steering Shake


Information and questions on GL1500 Goldwings (1988-2000)
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Craignz
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2023 1:05 am
Location: New Zealand
Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500
1986 Honda CBX 750F Boldor
1990 BMW K100

Steering Shake

Post by Craignz »



Hi,
Have had the bike 6 months or so and only today did I try the 'stability' test and release the bars to see how the bike behaved.
It instantly went into a violent mini shake. The road was smooth and level, tyres are old but good, pressure good.
I have checked the head bearing as per instruction on this site. Cant get any play by holding the forks and pulling\pushing. If I put on full lock and pull from the bottom of the tyre
I get a very small amount of movement. Cant tell yet if its the head bearing play of in the forks. Lock to lock is smooth.
Any ideas, possibly front wheel requires balance?

Thank you in advance......


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charadyan
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2022 5:10 pm
Location: Atlantic, Iowa
Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500

Re: Steering Shake

Post by charadyan »

Mine had a violent shake also at 35mph when i would let go. Tires were also old and APPEARED good. I recently changed tires and that is when I noticed how badly feathered the front tire was. Put on the new tires and have not had shaking issue since.
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blupupher
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Location: Katy, Republic of Texas
Motorcycle: 2013 BMW K1600GT

Re: Steering Shake

Post by blupupher »

These bikes are notorious for the front end wobble if you let go of the bars between ~30 and 40 mph, even if everything is "perfect".
If it is doing it at higher speeds, then there is something going on.
Old tires can be the issue, even if they look good. A balance may help as well.
Do you have a fork brace? Even the cheaper Superbrace will help better than nothing (and you can't get the better Blackwing brace anymore).
Current ride: 2013 BMW K1600GT

Former rides: 2002 GL1800A, 2001 CB750, 1994 GL1500 SE, 1994 VT1100C , 1984 VF500F, 1982 CB750C, 1982 GS250T, 1981 CB900C, 1978 CB125s, 1976 TS185
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Craignz
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2023 1:05 am
Location: New Zealand
Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500
1986 Honda CBX 750F Boldor
1990 BMW K100

Re: Steering Shake

Post by Craignz »

Thank you for the replies.
The shake is at over 40 mph. At lower speed it is not as pronounced.
Thinking of getting the wheel balanced, if that doesn't help I will look at a new tyre.
Was looking at a brace and was pointed to the blackwing site by Rambozo. I sent an email and got a reply from a guy called Lester Forsythe.
He said he would look into postage to NZ, that was a couple of weeks ago and have yet to hear back..... fingers crossed!

Cheers
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Craignz
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2023 1:05 am
Location: New Zealand
Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500
1986 Honda CBX 750F Boldor
1990 BMW K100

Re: Steering Shake

Post by Craignz »

Have the front wheel off and checked the bearings, runout and balance.
All are good.
Very slight play on the steering head bearings, which I will check and re-grease etc

Tread on tyre is good and no obvious sign of cupping.
However, tyre age is 0314 !
Guess its time for a new front tyre
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offcenter
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Location: Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
Motorcycle: 99 Gl-1500 SE
76 GL-1000
77 Honda Trail 90

Re: Steering Shake

Post by offcenter »

I've posted this before.
My bike had Dunflops on the front when I got it.
There was no way I could take my hands off the bars. The bike would start that head shake immediately.
I put a Michelin Commander II on the front and the problem is gone.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
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Craignz
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2023 1:05 am
Location: New Zealand
Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500
1986 Honda CBX 750F Boldor
1990 BMW K100

Re: Steering Shake

Post by Craignz »

Thanks,
I'll have a look into the Michelin.
Don't know if anyone has had experience of Bridgstone?
Was looking at this one - Bridgestone 130/70-18 EA1 Exedra Max Radial Tubeless Front Cruiser Tyre
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Craignz
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2023 1:05 am
Location: New Zealand
Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500
1986 Honda CBX 750F Boldor
1990 BMW K100

Re: Steering Shake

Post by Craignz »

Hi,
Have followed the comprehensive instructions on the site (thank you Scott)
Have set to 14lbf but the lock tab will not align with the lock not cut out when finger tight (even after I flip it)
Is it OK to ease it back slightly?

Thanks

Craig


VWGene
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:15 pm
Location: Bay Point, CA
Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 Aspencade

Re: Steering Shake

Post by VWGene »

I had this dreaded shake when I purchased my GW 1500 Aspencade from a Honda motorcycle tech who kept the bike in immaculate condition. After checking everything I bought new Metzers, front and rear… Shake is still there, even with beads installed. Only happens when riding hands free, which I don’t do anyway. Other wise, I still enjoy the bike.
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Craignz
Posts: 61
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Location: New Zealand
Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500
1986 Honda CBX 750F Boldor
1990 BMW K100

Re: Steering Shake

Post by Craignz »

Thanks VWGene,

The latest update is that after I re-greased and reset steering bearings and fitted a new Bridgstone tyre, all is good.
I can now take my hands off the bars and its stable :)

Thanks for the input
VWGene
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:15 pm
Location: Bay Point, CA
Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 Aspencade

Re: Steering Shake

Post by VWGene »

Thanks for the update. Maybe I’ll try that.
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Craignz
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2023 1:05 am
Location: New Zealand
Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500
1986 Honda CBX 750F Boldor
1990 BMW K100

Re: Steering Shake

Post by Craignz »

Yes, its made a big difference.
I followed the instruction on here to do the bearings.
The only struggle I had was getting the auto indicator cancel switch out.
To get the wire long enough to drop the connector so its clear to separate, was awkward as the wiring is zip tied to the front of the steering boss
and difficult to get them un-clipped (and back together)
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Sadanorakman
Posts: 499
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:42 pm
Location: Midlands, ENGLAND
Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE (Blue)
1991 GL1500 SE (Gold)

Re: Steering Shake

Post by Sadanorakman »

Craignz wrote: Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:56 pm Thanks VWGene,

The latest update is that after I re-greased and reset steering bearings and fitted a new Bridgstone tyre, all is good.
I can now take my hands off the bars and its stable :)

Thanks for the input
I'd heard that tire cupping can cause this in addition to head bearing wear, but I've not suffered instability with mine at all, and regularly take both hands off to get some air up my sleeves when I hit cruise control.
Measure twice, cut once.
VWGene
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Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:15 pm
Location: Bay Point, CA
Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 Aspencade

Re: Steering Shake

Post by VWGene »

Wow! I’ve forgotten how good that feels.
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Sadanorakman
Posts: 499
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Location: Midlands, ENGLAND
Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE (Blue)
1991 GL1500 SE (Gold)

Re: Steering Shake

Post by Sadanorakman »

VWGene wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 6:22 pm Wow! I’ve forgotten how good that feels.
Yeah, I enjoy riding hands off ocassionally at anywhere between 40 and 70 mph, and shifting my weight to gently steer the bike. The thing just has so much gyroscopic stability going on. Just call me irisponsible 😜

I also like to stand up on the pegs every now and again to get some wind in my face, through my jacket, and around my ass!!!


Measure twice, cut once.
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