joemugg
Expert Class
Posts: 109
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posted September 07, 2008 05:58 PM
Front end wobble
I'm starting to notice a wobble in the front end, at high speed and under acceleration. I have a Scott's damper installed and set to the next to the last click. When I'm accelerating at WOT in 4th, 5th or 6th gears and in excess of 100MPH the front end feels VERY light and shakes enough to be uncomfortable. Rolling out of the throttle settles it down a bit, so I am forced to constantly open and close the throttle to keep the front end stable while accelerating. And as I said, it seems to be getting worse. I rode with a fast group of guys today on GSXR750's and ZX12's and had trouble sticking with them on the straights because i couldn't maintain steady acceleration. What could be causing this?
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'06 ZX14 blue, Muzzy M14/M10, flies out, BMC filter, PCIII, SpeedoHealer, Scott's Steering Damper, 16 tooth Vortex
'97 GSXR600 street sweeper
  
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted September 07, 2008 06:08 PM
Do you have lowering links in the rear in middle or lowest hole???
How much do you weigh???
Steering neck loose???
Check front axle nut and pinch bolts!!!
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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joemugg
Expert Class
Posts: 109
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posted September 07, 2008 06:11 PM
Bike sits at stock height and I'm about 180. Front axle and pinch bolts are torqued to spec, haven't checked the steering neck yet.
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'06 ZX14 blue, Muzzy M14/M10, flies out, BMC filter, PCIII, SpeedoHealer, Scott's Steering Damper, 16 tooth Vortex
'97 GSXR600 street sweeper
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted September 07, 2008 06:18 PM
Lower the forks a 1/2 inch.....On the rear shock turn the shock colar 2 full turns clockwise after loosening the top colar lock by turning it counter clockwise...
After that, you should never have another wobble!!!
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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bigbore4
Zone Head
Posts: 806
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posted September 07, 2008 06:26 PM
Before I did anything, I would check the condition of your front tire. You say you've just started to notice the wobble? Unless something has gone awry with your suspension, the only variable is your tires. Doesn't take much to upset one of these bikes.
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bigbore4
Zone Head
Posts: 806
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posted September 07, 2008 06:27 PM
One other thing, make sure your wheels are inline. You may have the rear axle out of line, as some of the factory marks are a bit skewed.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted September 07, 2008 06:31 PM
The boyz covcered everything i was thinking already...
Tires,
Unloaded frt end,
Steering head brgs.
wheel brgs and alignment.
I still think its your frt tire.
I found at abouit 6000 miles they become cupped enough to change the amazing stability this bike exhibits.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted September 07, 2008 06:37 PM
I have 3500 miles on my front tire and trust me it's DONE ... The bike on the street turns like ass and feels nasty at high speeds .... Put a tire on it ... But do check your steering heads bearings and alignment ... You can ever be to safe ...
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Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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serius blk
Zone Head
Posts: 543
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posted September 07, 2008 08:01 PM
i have the same problem. changed the tire and thought it was out of balance. It was. But still have a wobble at high speeds. I pulled the brake calipers and spun the front wheel. Wheel bent on one side. Like the others said i would ck the rim to see if its bent. That wont cost u anything. Then the tire.
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warbird
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted September 08, 2008 03:59 AM
How much air pressure do you have in your tires? Lower pressures and a bigger print in the corners comes at the expense of straight line stability. Basics first...........check the condition of your tires. See if your front tire is cupped..........( usually from under inflation )Then be sure you have good pressure front AND back. Start with the reccomended pressures.............see if the wobble goes away.
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I'd Rather Be Roadracing.
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wndsrfr
Novice Class
Posts: 54
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posted September 08, 2008 04:22 AM
don,t kill the messenger but---
is it a wobble or a shake?--if its a shake look @ your mirrors --if they are floppin in the breeze
at high speed- try pullin&cappin them--- if it goes away tada!!-------- thats what my 14 was doing
however if it is a wobble follow the tires-brakes-head bearings route
good luck let us know how it turns out
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ghostman
Expert Class
Posts: 456
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posted September 08, 2008 10:45 AM
 Edited By: ghostman on 8 Sep 2008 11:46
Joemugg, I had the problem of a jittery front end at high speeds a couple of weeks ago.
Took it out on a long straight stretch on a back road a couple of days later just to concentrate on what was going on.
The conclusion was my GUT was in the damn way and I couldn't tuck to save my life! LOL!!!!
My upper torso was acting like a frackin' wind sale!
A week and a half and a few sit-ups later, all is well! 
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I'm There Whether You See Me Or Not.
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pazx14rider
Zone Head
Posts: 953
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posted September 08, 2008 03:05 PM
i have 7000 now on my front tire and its getting worse started doing that at 3000 miles more than likely its the front tire, mine cupped real bad on the edges was also told once when i got a violent bar shake at wot my rear was all over back and fourth possibility too hope im some help joe.
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joemugg
Expert Class
Posts: 109
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posted September 08, 2008 05:44 PM
Okay, the front tire LOOKS good to the eye, but when I run my hand over it I can feel dips forming all over the tread. I run around 28psi front and 30psi rear. The wobble is definitely in the bars, they oscilate left to right, and like I said, its not the speed I'm traveling, its the acceleration. Cruising or coasting at 150MPH isn't a problem, its downshifting and going WOT that causes it. Ghostman, I've felt that wobble, too, but its more in my helmet than the bars. ; ) Going to get a new tire as soon as I get back to town. What's the best tire? Thanks guys!
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'06 ZX14 blue, Muzzy M14/M10, flies out, BMC filter, PCIII, SpeedoHealer, Scott's Steering Damper, 16 tooth Vortex
'97 GSXR600 street sweeper
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joemugg
Expert Class
Posts: 109
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posted September 08, 2008 05:46 PM
Oh yeah, anybody else taken Crotchrocket's route and lowered the front end? I ride 100% street.
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'06 ZX14 blue, Muzzy M14/M10, flies out, BMC filter, PCIII, SpeedoHealer, Scott's Steering Damper, 16 tooth Vortex
'97 GSXR600 street sweeper
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted September 08, 2008 06:14 PM
mine is lowered, and never had a problem with front end being unstable, except few times at track..
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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warbird
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted September 08, 2008 07:02 PM
Joe.............28/30???  Those are VERY low pressures..........and that is why you feel the cupping on your front tire. Do you have the owners manual? What does it say for recommended pressures? Give those pressures a try and see how your high speed manners improve............... 
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I'd Rather Be Roadracing.
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted September 09, 2008 02:25 AM
Edited By: BobC on 9 Sep 2008 03:26
quote:
Oh yeah, anybody else taken Crotchrocket's route and lowered the front end? I ride 100% street.
Mine is lowered but just by 1 cm and I strap it down some more for quarters. If I ride it on the road with the rear lowered too, Muzzy links, it does sometimes shake its head but never when at normal rear ride height. I doubt if your tire being worn would cause wobble, it would just lose its precise feel and handle like a dog. The pressures you gave are a bit low, they are more like track pressures and not normally suitable for the road as the tire does not get hot enough.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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Superman T
Pro
Posts: 1831
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posted September 09, 2008 05:50 AM
quote:
Joe.............28/30??? Those are VERY low pressures..........and that is why you feel the cupping on your front tire. Do you have the owners manual? What does it say for recommended pressures? Give those pressures a try and see how your high speed manners improve...............
Agreed, the tire PSI is 42 for both front and back.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted September 09, 2008 07:55 AM
I run 34 and 34, once warm they get to 37/ 39
Great feedback at the expense of premature cupping...
I weigh 200 lbs BTW.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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joemugg
Expert Class
Posts: 109
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posted September 09, 2008 03:35 PM
No kidding? You guys are running pressures that high?! I've got a new Shinko on the rear and lowered the pressure from 32 to 30 during the ride Sunday because the back end was sliding out on me. I'll raise the pressures with the new treads and see what its like. Thanks!
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'06 ZX14 blue, Muzzy M14/M10, flies out, BMC filter, PCIII, SpeedoHealer, Scott's Steering Damper, 16 tooth Vortex
'97 GSXR600 street sweeper
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted September 09, 2008 03:50 PM
Anytire will slide when new if your aggressive...Your pressure is on the low side for street riding
My 12 only see's the DragStrip, front tire has 45lbs. rear is 20lbs.
On the street I would use 36 front, 36 rear...
Hey Dub, try using Nitrogen...It's good stuff...
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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