toledoUPSguy
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An old guy with a new toy
Posts: 320
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posted August 18, 2012 08:16 PM
my 14r has finally scared the crap out of me
Unfortunately not with an explosive burst of power when I wasn't expecting it. Just before the 600 mile service was due I (like many others) had 1 of the bolts that hold the fairing brace to the steering stem depart the vehicle. Before that the bike was as stable as you needed or nible as you wanted, was a great ride.
The day I got the bike back from the 600 was raining so the ride was straight home 5 miles. Went back the next day to get the fairing buffed out after the tech did his thing. Did the dyno run that day and went home as it was cool and damp. Was a couple of days later before I could actually get out and ride, took the long and fast way home from work. When it acted strange Friday morning I thought it was just me after a long night of work, when it did it again today on the way home I think I have an issue.
What's it doing? As best as I can describe it is twitching or bobbling and then falling into the turn on a left hander. When turning to the right it feels like it is trying to stand back up. It is extremely noticeable on slow turns (leaving a parking lot) and still definitely there when the speed is up. In a PM on a different forum blue07/grn14 asked how it felt it I took my hands of the bars. It didn't feel stable at all, hands went back quick. First place I wanted to check is air pressure but for some reason (son) can't find either gauge. I know they adjusted the chain, the lines aren't exactly even on both sides but are close. should probably go ahead and get a micrometer out and check.
I'm stumped, have never felt anything like this before while riding. There are a lot of knowledgeable members here. What do you think?
Thanks in advance.
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The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.
2014 ZX14r in nuclear sunset orange and black
  
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INTIMIDA2OR
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posted August 18, 2012 09:33 PM
Sounds like low air pressure in your tires. Maybe brakes sticking ? Get the wheels of the ground spin 'em and shake 'em. See if they spin free and if there's any play.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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blue07
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posted August 18, 2012 09:43 PM
 Edited By: blue07 on 19 Aug 2012 05:44
You might just check around down by the lower fork clamps...you said your fairing was shaking real bad...you don't suppose 'something' got out of whack around there and is causing some sort of stiction there do you?IDK...I know mine will 'pop' when I turn the bars all the way right or left...but it's only the steering bottom plastic cover hitting the rad guard at one point along it's travel...it isn't any problem.Doesn't catch or anything.But it can be heard with the bike off.
I know yours is a different issue...but...maybe something IS hanging the steering up somehow?
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Obba
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posted August 19, 2012 05:12 AM
As Blue is saying, check that the steering is free with no catching. Front wheel up and when loaded.
As Intimidator says, check the wheels for any free play.
Your tires are on the right bead?
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Shane661
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posted August 19, 2012 05:39 AM
Edited By: Shane661 on 19 Aug 2012 13:40
I also had a fairing stay bolt back out, and then next one was ready. Luckily I know what that feels like (my 12R used to do it all the time), so I addressed it right away.
I would be looking for something they did at the shop during the service. Ask them every thing they did, and also check the obvious like rear wheel alignment,even chain tension...could be a combination of several small things creating the sensation. Make sure they put the proper wheel spacers back in, if they removed the wheels.
Shane
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colt
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if u aint first your last
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posted August 19, 2012 08:55 AM
I'm kinda in same boat new to the zx14 but on outher bikes I could take my hands off bars and coast to stop on this bike if I let go it starts to do what I call death wobble ?????
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INTIMIDA2OR
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posted August 19, 2012 10:14 AM
quote:
I'm kinda in same boat new to the zx14 but on outher bikes I could take my hands off bars and coast to stop on this bike if I let go it starts to do what I call death wobble ?????
I can tell you for fact that is not normal!
I can take my hands off the bars and coast to a stop no problem.
The only time I get a wobble is when the tire gets a bit on the old side or if I hit a pot hole and it messes the tire up a bit .
Run your hand across the tire . It should feel smooth . If it feels wavy or choppy then the tire is at fault and is what is causing the wobble.
Suspension not adjusted properly can cause a tire to wear funny like that cause the tire isn't making good contact with the ground. Kinda skipping over the road instead of following it.
A wheel weight coming off will cause a problem too.
A loose steering head will cause it too.
A simple check of the steering is to get the bike level and front wheel off the ground. Pull on the wheel and see if there is any play.
Let the steering fall both directions. It should fall till it hits the stops lightly and without bouncing on the stops.
If the steering bounces then it's too loose. If the steering doesn't hit the stops by itself then it's too tight.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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toledoUPSguy
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An old guy with a new toy
Posts: 320
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posted August 19, 2012 10:29 AM
guess i need to buy some lifts ASAP so I can check front end. tire pressure is 42.6 in front and 43.6 in rear.
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The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.
2014 ZX14r in nuclear sunset orange and black
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INTIMIDA2OR
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posted August 19, 2012 10:34 AM
Keep us posted 
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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Shane661
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posted August 19, 2012 11:01 AM
quote:
I'm kinda in same boat new to the zx14 but on outher bikes I could take my hands off bars and coast to stop on this bike if I let go it starts to do what I call death wobble ?????
At 370 lbs, your suspension setup and tire pressures are going to be critical. Make sure it is all set up properly for your weight, as a first step.
Shane
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blue07
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posted August 19, 2012 11:39 AM
Edited By: blue07 on 19 Aug 2012 19:42
Tire pressure sounds okay.42 recommended.So when you're riding..it's gonna be a bit more.The spacers...hmmm...could be they removed the rear wheel and got the spacer in on the wrong side?That could be...They are NOT the same on that rear hub.Fronts are the same.
I've only ever had a slight...VERY SLIGHT wiggle at between 40 and 50 decelerating with my hands off the bars(on my 14's)(not this one yet)....always a front tire cured it.A death wobble sounds pretty bad...something definitely NOT okay there.I can ride mine all the way down to zero without hands and she's smooth as glass.
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colt
Expert Class
if u aint first your last
Posts: 163
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posted August 19, 2012 04:05 PM
Idk bout the weight cause my lil 636 and r6 did fine one was lowered and I did wheelies and endos
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venomous_zx
Expert Class
2012 14r - low and long-
Posts: 321
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posted August 19, 2012 04:39 PM
im kinda in the same state your in toledo. i just put a new set of tires on my 2012. now i get
handlebar wobble. it started at about 55mph. had it rebalanced and it wobbled at about 35mph. still wobbles. ive had the front tire balanced three times at two different shops. ill be home tuesday and ill lift the bike and spin the wheel and check play in the steering system. ill also check for any visible defects in the tire. As to your case i would check the steering and check the weights on your tire.the weight may be missing.
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sensei
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INTIMIDA2OR
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posted August 20, 2012 12:09 PM
One thing I've noticed about these bikes is that the front ends are very picky about tires. Any little thing wrong an these front ends will find it and tell you all about it with a nice wobble.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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blue07
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Posts: 485
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posted August 20, 2012 12:18 PM
Edited By: blue07 on 20 Aug 2012 20:19
"One thing I've noticed about these bikes is that the front ends are very picky about tires"...yup...true that.There's also a lot of weight on that front tire when cornering as well...it can wear without actually seeing something 'wrong'.Everyone brakes different.Rides different.Loads their suspensions different.The tires are bearing the brunt of all that.Sliding and downshifting take a big shot at the tires.
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Audioboyz
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posted August 20, 2012 03:40 PM
I had one bike that was very sensitive to front tires A 82 GPz 750.When the tread got low it was a death trap.This bike is starting to cup a little.No wobbling or anything.I put both tires on myself and balanced them very carefully.So guess thats the key.
Craig
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2009 Monster ZX-14
Brocks Alienhead,PCV, flys out,LSL Riser kit,-1 front sprocket,43 Vortex rear sprocket,K&N Air Filter, Zero Gravity tall smoked screen,block off plates,175HP 104 torque
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toledoUPSguy
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An old guy with a new toy
Posts: 320
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posted August 20, 2012 04:54 PM
A small update. Last night I put my phone on voice record mode with a wind sock on the mike under my helmet. Went for a ride and was going to take detailed notes on what was going on. Short version, absolutely noting funny or scary happened. No wiggle on corner entry, no falling into turn, no hint of shake or wheel imbalance up to 140mph and solid coasting hands off. Only thing I THINK I can put my finger on is back end feels lower as I can now flat foot the bike at stop light (5'10" and 168). It was also 20+ degrees warmer than it was the 2 days it was acting up. I rode it to work tonight and it will be cool again for the ride.
Thanks again for the help
____________
The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.
2014 ZX14r in nuclear sunset orange and black
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INTIMIDA2OR
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posted August 20, 2012 05:09 PM
quote:
...yup...true that.There's also a lot of weight on that front tire when cornering as well...it can wear without actually seeing something 'wrong'.Everyone brakes different.Rides different.Loads their suspensions different.The tires are bearing the brunt of all that.Sliding and downshifting take a big shot at the tires.
I've noticed hard canyon riding will keep the tire "looking smooth" but a low speed wobble usually happens.
A lot of street riding and hard braking will make the tire look all cupped and distorted but no wobbles happen .
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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toledoUPSguy
Expert Class
An old guy with a new toy
Posts: 320
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posted August 23, 2012 01:38 PM
After this morings ride home I am convinced what I'm feeling is totally tire related. These tires don't stick at all when the temp is below 60degrees. Outside temp was 57 degrees for my ride home. Made a few turns and felt no slip, wiggle, fall in or anthing else from the front end but made a right hand corner in 2nd gear steady throttle (no wacking the throttle or anything stupid) and the back end completely slid out from under me. Between the good Lord above and some dirt bike skills I didn't go down.
funny thing is I never noticed any of this (and crapping one's pants is noticealbe) before the first service but the temps were a little higher in the mornings before.
Thanks again for all the replies.
____________
The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.
2014 ZX14r in nuclear sunset orange and black
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venomous_zx
Expert Class
2012 14r - low and long-
Posts: 321
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posted August 24, 2012 05:46 AM
just a heads up i solved my handlebar wobble. it was the new tire i had installed. i lifted the bike and spun the tire freely and you can see the tire bounce up and down. so i installed my old tire and she rides smooth once again. dam shinko tire.looks like im getting my pair of michelins after all.
toledo, you mentioned the rear end feels lower.. did the shop adjust your shock?
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sensei
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