Wobble

[bardo688]

ok got around 110mph and front tire did the scary ass wobble thing three seperate times ive tried to push past and too scared gets worst the faster you go any ideas (03 XB9S with new tires and iam sure the people who replaced them didnt know how to check brake light fluid or replave the O-Ring valves in the exhaust)

 

[ophawk]

exact same thing with mine when it had the original tires, I couldn't go past 115,after I put new ones on she was smooth all the way to 130. Make sure the tires are fresh, made within the last year or so. you can tell by the date code. Tires take a set if they aren't stored properly, or sat for awhile with weight on them. If they are fresh, I would definitely have someone re-balance them, if you don't trust the other installers.
Later

 

[Macbuell]

Buy from a cheap online retailer. They go through so many tires there is no way you would be sold an old tire.

 

[bardo688]

well iam wondering if the tread has anything to do with it. ima let it set some and hopefully get some new ones when riding primes up but i dont really need to be goin that fast (16still)

 

[Stevenc150]

It being an '03, you probably need to check the steering head bearings.

Also check your front isolator. - Front Isolator worn

 

[bardo688]

sorry i have no clue about that but are you sure something could be worn out that quick (5.5k Miles) or could it sitting or be a manufacture problem

 

[Stevenc150]

They're labeled #1 in the schematic below, sandwiched in between your triple trees. BTW, post up your email and I have the '03 Parts manual in PDF I can send to you.

You may be right, 5500 miles is a bit to soon for them to be bad unless it's been dropped hard from wheelies a lot.

 

[bardo688]

[email protected]
I already bought a manual already thanks though
How hard is it to change them and check them

 

[onelogue]

Balancing!! If the balancing is slightly off you will feel it at higher speeds.

 

[Stevenc150]

Get the front end off the ground and wobbling the wheel and then the bars, checking for slop in the trees. Make sure it's supported well, have someone help so it doesn't fall over or move a lot while you're checking it.

 

[bardo688]

alright thanks when it gets a lil warmer ill take it down to my buddy who owns a bike shop and have him check it out with me and balance the tires too to be on the safe side

 

[Stevenc150]

Yeah, if you check all that, there isn't much left besides wheel bearings and your tires, like they said earlier. Does it still have the original tires.

BTW, while it's there, '03s had a recall on their wheel bearings, fronts & rears. If the seals on the bearings are black, they need replaced with the newer orange seal bearings.

Anyway, post up what you find and good luck.

 

[bardo688]

Nah tires were replaced before i bought it but the people where complete rude ******** but i got the bike for a steal...shipping should have been 800+ from NC to KS and they quoted 400 (for them to get the guys to do it i guess and 400+ for their profit) but made them honer 400 and the shipper they went through said they do have lots of problems with them (ebay % was like 99)idk the name on them but the front tire has a reg tread pattern but i dont like the cut thats right down the middle (line of symmetry) i gatta work next few days but ill make it down to the shop and call HD maby i can force them to do recall if it wasnt done

 

[bardo688]

Ya Steven you where right i took it to a friend at our local bike shop and he had it all fixed up in a few hours...Took her up way past 130 suggested a steering stablizer if i wanna go that fast but i dont need to...Triple Tree was loose and forks where way outta whack guy before me dropped it hard on wheelies iam assuming.
Thanks alot Steven and everyone else for the help[up][smirk]

 

[Stevenc150]

I'm just glad to hear you've got a safer ride. [up]

 

[Jezuz]

Hello there, thanks for all the info!
I get a bit of wobble when I'm braking, sometimes it's hardly noticable, sometines it feels like I'm driving on a series of bumps. I tightened brake pads a bit, and found out that at some point the pads slightly touch the disk, I think that might mean that my disk is bended a bit and that causes the problem? Anyone had a similar experience?
Thanks!

 

[TooFst]

I've seen it on cars. The slight "brake drag" can be felt in the steering wheel. Not very common but it does happen

 

[BuellerPilot]

Hello there, thanks for all the info!
I get a bit of wobble when I'm braking, sometimes it's hardly noticable, sometines it feels like I'm driving on a series of bumps. I tightened brake pads a bit, and found out that at some point the pads slightly touch the disk, I think that might mean that my disk is bended a bit and that causes the problem? Anyone had a similar experience?
Thanks!

If your pads touch/drag only in certain areas on your rotor when spinning the wheel your rotor is warped/bent and would feel like a series of bumps when braking.

Get the front wheel off the ground and spin the wheel and watch the rotor. If there’s bent/warped spots it's toast. There’s no real way to fix it, as the rotor cannot be turned and even if you were able to mount it up on a lathe, there’s not much material on these to be able to turn them smooth. Your only option to fix it correctly/safely is a new rotor. If you get a new rotor, get new mounting hardware for it as well and sand the pads flat or replace those too.

If the rotor is flat, but wobbles, could be the mounting hardware is jacked and the rotor though flat and true, isn't spinning true and would show the same symptoms.

Sometimes if there is uneven glazing or wear on the rotor, though true and straight it could feel “bumpy” when braking. You could resurface the rotor to fix that. Do a search for the proper way to resurface a rotor using an abrasive pad leaving cross hatch patterns. Ignore any and all “polishing” threads you come across lol.

~Mike....

 

[Jezuz]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if I'll be able to check by eye if the rotor is a little bent by spinning the wheel, but I'll try it. It certainly does feel like bumps when braking, and when adjusting the brake pads tighter, it does touch/drag in an area.
This would mean new rotor + mounting hardware + pads = $$$. [sad]
The only other way I can think to check if it's straight is to take the rotor off, check if mounting is ok (I think it's floating, so there shouldn't be a problem, or am I wrong?), and if yes and give it to a friend, maybe he can take it to the machine shop where he works and check it on some equipment.
Thanks again for all the info!

 

[jimijeans]

Jezuz,(Buller Pilot)has good Rep.,His advise has helped me & there are others that have also done this a long time as well.The front rotor (is)very expensive plus the hardware. About 70% of the brake power is on the front wheel. Depending on whats going on at the time.EBR has a sale about every 2 mths. or so on their site. Sign up so you can get up dates for sales & stuff. Got mine for $100. bucks (just) rotor. Once you take it down be careful not to use the old stuff w/ mix of new parts . Buddy of mine did that and it didn't work out to well. He's ok just scared the crap out of him.