High speed stability

I bought an 82' Maxim 650 not too long ago, and have been fixing it up. It was running like butt, so I tossed some new spark plugs in it, and now it REALLY wants to go! Taking it on the freeway, it feels pretty good at 70, but when I hit 80, it feels VERY akward, and 85 is almost impossible to keep it straight. The whole bike starts to wander, and feels like it's doing a high speed slalom and will go out from under me at any moment.

It has 38,000 miles on her, so I was wondering what to look for. Is it just the nature of these bikes to top out like a geo metro? Or is it more likely that there's something out of balance/loose?

and FYI, I couldn't even get it to do 70 stable without the windshield, and with the windshield, it's way better.

 

My seca hold up really well right up to the TON... (100 MPH)

This may be a dumb question, but have you checked your tire pressure?

I'm thinking tires (or getting them balanced), swingarm bushings, and head bearings would be a great start...

I'm considering a steering stabilizer right now for mine, but I wouldn't bother with that until you're sure the other things mentioned are good.

 

I agree with ease. I can turn loose from mine at 100 and it will stay straight as an arrow. You should look at the alignment of the wheels and frame before trying something else.

 

I too have an 82 650 maxim and when I got mine I had similar problems. With tha many miles here is what I would check

1- Tires. If they are 3 years or older, replace them no matter how they look. If they are newer check for any cord breakage in the side wall.

2- Check your pressure in your tires

3- Check and replace your steering head bearings with the tapered variety.

4- Check and replace your wheel bearings

5- Check and replace swingarm bearings

Also remember that your bike will act diiferently on different surfaces. The interstates out here on the northern plains have longitudenal grooves cut in them. These will also make a bike wander.

If you are getting a highspeed whobble where the handle bars are moving back and forth this is a critical problem and should not be ridden till it gets fixed. My bike had that when I first got it and even did a "tank slapper" and left 3 diagonal skid on the road and quite nearly one in my pants. After that I did all the above and the bike runs true and straight.

Also, don't scrimp on tires. You only have two between you and the road. Spend the extra for GOOD tires. They make all the differance in the world.

Handle bar mounted windscreens and fairing have been known to cause these issues as well, especially in cross wind conditions.

Good Luck
The Buff

 

Put the Bike on the work stand.
Have someone hold down the back-end sot that the front wheel is off the floor.

FEEL the movement of the Handlebars ... lock to lock.

If there is the slightest hint of a binding or flat spot ...
You need new Bearings and Races for the Headset.

 

While up there also check for any play front/back. If so you need to re-tension the bearings or replace them.

 

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to blame the tires on this one. I took a good close look at them, and the pressure is good, but they've got signs of dry-rot. I'm gonna get some new ones put on asap.

As for the bearings, does anyone have some good sources online to order them?

Any bushings I should change while I have it apart?

 

Our local party guy, Chacal has the bearings. He'll likely be contacting you soon.

 

I had some wobble in my steering. Even after I stopped drinking.

Since I had installed new tires that were balanced already. I decided to replace the front wheel bearings and the stearing head bearings.

Boy am I glad that I did that. I can now take my hands off the bars and it runs straight and true.

Now I am going to looking into the swingarm bearings and rear wheel bearings. Hmmm, maybe that is a good WINTER job.

I think I hear the road calling. Now that seems like MUCH more fun.

 

Here they are!:

STEERING HEAD BEARINGS:

OEM and aftermarket steering neck or "tube" replacement bearings bring that "brand new" feeling back to your bike, improving handling, braking, and steering performance that has been reduced over the year by wear and tear on the bearings and related parts. We offer both the original Ball Bearings and parts for models so equipped, as well as aftermarket Tapered Roller Bearing Kits needed to upgrade this critical area to the most modern design. NOTE: all XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models used tapered roller bearings originally; all other XJ models used ball bearings from the factory.

NOTE: always use a high-quality, waterproof grease when installing any style of steering neck bearings!


Ball Bearings and Associated Parts:

Although we do offer a full selection of original components to rebuild your stock ball-bearing style steering neck system, we highly recommend that you upgrade to the tapered roller bearing style bearing system with one of our Roller Bearings and Seals Kits listed further below.

The only items that interchange when upgrading from ball bearings to tapered bearings are the adjuster RING NUT(s) and the UPPER RACE COVER.


Tapered Roller Bearings and Associated Parts:

Both original roller bearings (for XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models) and kits to upgrade all other models to this style bearing are offered. The aftermarket kits that we offer use only the highest quality, precision ground and assembled high-speed bearings available, and include both upper and lower dust seals.

Tapered bearings offer a vast improvement in performance and durability as compared to stock ball bearings. Additionally, you can increase the ring nut torque value to a slightly higher (25-30 foot-pounds) as opposed to original, thus even further reducing slop and play in your steering. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU CHECK FOR BINDING AT ALL POSITIONS, INCLUDING FULL LOCK POSITIONS, WHEN CONVERTING FROM BALL BEARINGS TO TAPERED BEARINGS!


HCP1911 Aftermarket tapered roller bearings STEERING HEAD BEARINGS AND SEALS KIT, for all XJ550 models. Contains upper and lower tapered roller bearings and an upper and lower dust seal.
$ 35.00


HCP1912 Aftermarket tapered roller bearings STEERING HEAD BEARINGS AND SEALS KIT, for all XJ650 and XJ750 models. Contains upper and lower tapered roller bearings and an upper and lower dust seal.
$ 41.00



HCP509 OEM upper tapered roller STEERING HEAD BEARING, fits all XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models.
$ 28.00

HCP4490 OEM lower tapered roller STEERING HEAD BEARING, fits all XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models.
$ 28.00

HCP1913 Aftermarket tapered roller bearings STEERING HEAD BEARINGS AND SEALS KIT, for all XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models. Contains upper and lower tapered roller bearings and an upper and lower dust seal. Note that originally, no dust seals were used on these models, and we feel it is a worthy upgrade to install these seals!
$ 31.00


HCP4488 OEM steering neck upper bearing TANG WASHER, use 1 per bike, for all XJ700 and XJ900RK models. This is the uppermost washer used on the steering head shaft assembly.
$ 4.50

HCP4491 OEM steering neck adjuster RING NUT, the castellated nut used to adjust the tightness of the bearings. XJ550 models used one ring nut, while all other models used two. These nuts require the use of a special ring-nut tool to tighten and remove, and they are listed further below. Each:
$ 6.00

HCP4482 OEM steering neck upper bearing FLAT WASHER, use 1 per bike, for all XJ700 and XJ900RK models.
$ 3.50

HCP4497 OEM upper roller bearing RACE COVER, goes directly above the upper bearing. Use 1 per bike, for all XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models.
$ 3.95



Steering Bearings Tools:


HCP1692 Aftermarket steering head tube BEARING RACE REMOVAL TOOL. This very high quality, split flared-shaft bearing race removal device grasps the edges of the bearing races at four positions and pops them out with ease. Makes a sometimes very frustrating task simple.
$ 44.95


HCP8041 Aftermarket steering stem Ring Nut ADJUSTER WRENCH, special tanged wrench properly grabs the castellations in the ring nuts and holds firm, preventing the rounding-off of the ring nut when trying to loosen or install them using incorrect tools (such as channel lock pliers). Adjusts to a wide range of sizes to fit most bikes. A professional grade tool.
$ 79.00


HCP7863 Aftermarket steering stem ring nut and shock absorber ADJUSTER TOOL, heavy-duty chrome plated spanner "wrench" is the correct size to work with all XJ-series bike steering stem ring nuts, as well as fitting the adjuster tab on rear shock absorbers (for those models that have non-air adjustable rear shocks). Very high quality, versatile tool to have in your box.
$ 24.00

 

Len, does HCP1912 include bearings AND races?

 

thats so wrong!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Stereo.........yes!