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front end wobble, leans to right...

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by thorin, Aug 19, 2010.

  1. thorin

    thorin Member

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    like the title says....
    the front end wobbles, most noticeably when i release the handlebars when decelerating. is this a tire/wheel balance issue?
    i ask because i've also noticed the front fender is canted to the right a bit (with no impact marks or dents) and so is the instrument cluster.
    what should i be looking for or investigating?
    thanks for your advice or comments...
     
  2. gratscot

    gratscot Member

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    Sounds like the tire is off balance somehow, put it on the center stand and get someone to hold the back down so the front tire is floating and then spin it and see what happens.
     
  3. iwingameover

    iwingameover Active Member

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    Your forks could be twisted and likely are if the gauges and fender are crooked.
     
  4. thorin

    thorin Member

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    twisted sounds like a good description for the front setup. i'll free wheel the front tire also, a great suggestion to check how "true" the wheel/tire is.
    if the setup is twisted, is a mechanical correction an option?
     
  5. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    as long as the fork tube(s) and or triple trees aren't bent, yes it is.

    Simply loosen all the pinch bolts on the triple clamps, the axle pinch bolt and the axle nut, and snug back to finger-tight.

    Then "snug up" the upper triple tree clamps a bit more, but not tight.

    Take the bike off the stand, hold the front brake, and bounce the forks a bit.

    Tighten the upper clamp bolts to the specified torque; then snug up the lower triple tree clamps.

    Bounce. Tighten the lower triple tree clamps to specified torque.

    Snug up the axle nut and pinch bolts.

    Bounce. Tighten axle nut to specified torque. Install new cotter pin if applicable.

    Bounce. Tighten pinch bolts to specified torque.

    If the forks and triple trees are straight, then your front end is now straight as well.

    Keep in mind if you have tubular handlebars, the bar could be bent as well. Replacements are cheap (for tubular bars.)
     
  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Quick additional thought: in regard to tires: Check the date codes; if they're over 6 years old, pitch 'em. They're tubeless; you don't want to imagine the result of a blow-out...

    Also-- just because a bike has low miles, it still doesn't mean you don't have a lot of work to do. It took me a solid year to recommission my '83 and it had 7100 on it when I got it.
     
  7. iwingameover

    iwingameover Active Member

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    depends on what caused the twisting.
     
  8. xyxj650

    xyxj650 Member

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    Not saying this is your problem but if your front end wobbles if you release the handlebars you may want to replace your steering stem bearings. That will also cause front end wobble. Going to the right sounds like a diffrent problem though.
     
  9. thorin

    thorin Member

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    that's great advice on the tires...even though the tread is excellent, i know they are WAY old and should not be ridden on.
    as for the work ahead, i'm with ya pal. for every item i cross off the list, 2 more get added!
    the more i learn, the more i have to do.....
     
  10. thorin

    thorin Member

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    wow, thanks bigfitz52, for taking the time to post the how-to on straigtening the forks. i'm going to give it a shot today and see what happens. i'll post results. here.
     
  11. thorin

    thorin Member

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    well, the advice i got here fixed my problem today. i followed the process and was met with limited results. i then located the tire against a garage post and got medieval with the handlebars while sitting on the bike (with appropriate fasteners loose) and finally achieved success.
    i now have handlebars that point the same way as my tire....whooppeee!
    thanks guys...
     

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