Home

Go Back   .: XT660.com - The #1 XT660 Resource :. > XT660Z T�n�r� > XT660Z T�n�r� General Discussions
FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Main site

Google

XT660Z T�n�r� General Discussions Everything and anything of general topic in relation to the new T�n�r� is discussed here

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  # 1  
Old 09-03-11, 10:58
zakidos zakidos is offline
Expert XT-Moto
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Uster, CH
Posts: 72
zakidos is on a distinguished road
Wobbly handlebar on motorways

Hey T�n�r� addicts!

In the last couple of weeks I noticed that my handlebar gets unsteady/starts wobblying around on motorways (120km/h). I'm not sure if it has something to do with vibrations in general (but it wasn't always so on motorways!) or maybe my wheels are out of balance or I get a bend in the rim somewhere or the tyres... I don't know... Or is it simply time to change the headset bearing? I've got 22000km on my clock...

Any ideas?

Thanks! Much appreciated.

Cheers, Mike
  # 2  
Old 09-03-11, 11:22
uberthumper uberthumper is offline
XT-Moto SuperStar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: East Midlands, UK
Posts: 860
uberthumper is on a distinguished road
What sort of tyres have you got on? That sort of wobble isn't unusual with knobblies, and it can come and go depending on the amount of tread left on the tyre. Changing the pressures a few psi up or down can cure it.

Or it could be any of the other reasons. Pretty easy to check the wheel runout and headstock bearings if you can get the front wheel off the floor.
__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

  # 3  
Old 09-03-11, 11:28
Stumpy Stumpy is offline
SemiPro XT-Moto
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 48
Stumpy is on a distinguished road
I had this when I had a Tenere. It was loose spokes on the front wheel.
__________________
2 Wheels
1 leg
0 Worries

Teneres we're taking over
  # 4  
Old 09-03-11, 13:10
zakidos zakidos is offline
Expert XT-Moto
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Uster, CH
Posts: 72
zakidos is on a distinguished road
I do have knobblies on (TKC80) which don't have much tread left. And I'll check the spokes this afternoon!

How can I check the headstock bearings by myself?
  # 5  
Old 09-03-11, 13:32
uberthumper uberthumper is offline
XT-Moto SuperStar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: East Midlands, UK
Posts: 860
uberthumper is on a distinguished road
Support the front wheel off the floor so the entire front end is free (ie using something like a centrestand plus a jack under the sump, not a front paddock stand of any sort.

Move the steering through its full range of travel and see if it's smooth - when headstock bearings wear they typically develop a 'notch' around the straight ahead position, which you should be able to feel.

Grab hold of the forks at the bottom and waggle them around to see if there is any play at the headstock.

If there's play, but the bearings don't feel notchy, you *might* be able to get away with just tightening them up a bit (take off the top yoke and tighten the locknut underneath). If they're notchy they'll definitely need replacing.

I'd be surprised if they've gone, but you never know. The Japanese manufacturers do seem to have a reputation for assembling them without enough grease in.
__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

  # 6  
Old 10-03-11, 10:52
zakidos zakidos is offline
Expert XT-Moto
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Uster, CH
Posts: 72
zakidos is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by uberthumper View Post
Support the front wheel off the floor so the entire front end is free (ie using something like a centrestand plus a jack under the sump, not a front paddock stand of any sort.

Move the steering through its full range of travel and see if it's smooth - when headstock bearings wear they typically develop a 'notch' around the straight ahead position, which you should be able to feel.

Grab hold of the forks at the bottom and waggle them around to see if there is any play at the headstock.

If there's play, but the bearings don't feel notchy, you *might* be able to get away with just tightening them up a bit (take off the top yoke and tighten the locknut underneath). If they're notchy they'll definitely need replacing.

I'd be surprised if they've gone, but you never know. The Japanese manufacturers do seem to have a reputation for assembling them without enough grease in.
Thank you uberthumper for the great explanation. I'll check that today. But I'm not so worried anymore. I simply blame it on my TKCs ;-)
  # 7  
Old 09-03-11, 14:13
Pleiades Pleiades is offline
XT-Moto SuperStar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: North Norfolk
Posts: 5,320
Pleiades is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by zakidos View Post
I do have knobblies on (TKC80) which don't have much tread left.
It'll be the tyres. TKCs do this, particularly when worn.
  # 8  
Old 09-03-11, 14:24
Gas_Up_Lets_Go Gas_Up_Lets_Go is offline
XT-Moto SuperStar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North Lakes - UK
Posts: 2,130
Gas_Up_Lets_Go is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by zakidos View Post
I do have knobblies on (TKC80) which don't have much tread left.
I wouldn't like to say what your problem is, but I've had lots of different results from TKC's depending on how much tread is left. Sometimes they can wobble at 30mph, other times at 70+
__________________
>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.




  # 9  
Old 09-03-11, 20:17
stumpydave stumpydave is offline
XT-Moto SuperStar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Wigan the home of pies
Posts: 361
stumpydave is on a distinguished road
I had this with my swiss army tyres when new. Was so convinced something was wrong i took the tyre back off and refitted it. Now 1000 miles later theyre sweet as a nut. At least i know what to expect next time.
__________________
I'm always in the sh1t, only the depth varies
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:09.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2019, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

  XT660         Archive   Main site


Footer
vBSkinworks Top