Front end "wobble"

[Mr T]

I just got back from riding, and it feels like the Fazer has a slight wobble at slow speeds. I checked the tyre pressure, and that's ok.
Any ideas on what the problem could be?

07 Fazer with 3200km on clock

T

 

[oldfast007]

Axle nuts tourque, tire bead, steering head, check everything south of your knees.

 

[Wahh12]

I'd put the bike on the center stand and check the steering head by grabbing the front forks a wiggling them front and back checking for play. I' had a similar problem and it turned out to be my steering head bearings.

 

[reiobard]

is it only while braking?

 

[AlanB]

is it only while braking?

:hijack: Pardon the interruption, but since you asked about braking, I thought maybe you would have some insight on this. I have notice of late, aound 4,500 miles, that sometimes I get chatter in the front under braking and need to back off the brakes to stop. In an emergency, I can see this as a real problem. I'm trying to figure out what variables might cause it. So farI'm coming up with road surface or maybe I'm holding it in gear too long. Pads look fine. Any thoughts?

We now return to our regular thread...

 

[reiobard]

:hijack: Pardon the interruption, but since you asked about braking, I thought maybe you would have some insight on this. I have notice of late, aound 4,500 miles, that sometimes I get chatter in the front under braking and need to back off the brakes to stop. In an emergency, I can see this as a real problem. I'm trying to figure out what variables might cause it. So farI'm coming up with road surface or maybe I'm holding it in gear too long. Pads look fine. Any thoughts?

We now return to our regular thread...

see reply post #8

http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-general-discussion/4467-shudder-low-speed-turn-front-brake.html

 

[HavBlue]

This is just me but if the bike were mine out come the tools and that front end gets pulled. Why? The FZ6 does not wobble and the mere fact that a wobble could be a huge disaster at speed (I hate tank slappers) tells me it's time to get up close and personal with any issue even remotely similar to a wobble. I like knowing as opposed to guessing.

 

[wrightme43]

This is just me but if the bike were mine out come the tools and that front end gets pulled. Why? The FZ6 does not wobble and the mere fact that a wobble could be a huge disaster at speed (I hate tank slappers) tells me it's time to get up close and personal with any issue even remotely similar to a wobble. I like knowing as opposed to guessing.

Yes this has to be fixed. If you cant or dont want to do it, take this one into the dealer. If you have to let off the brakes, you can die. This is serious.

 

[rbesr]

What do your tires look like? Is there any sign of cupping on them? Every Dunlop tire I've ever had has cupped at one time or another, regardless of how well I tried to keep them aired to the proper inflation.

 

[wrightme43]

With 3700 miles and it being a 07 this should be under warrenty. It may not be but it should.

 

[Avalon786]

I had those wobbles in 2 situations.
1) is when i'm giving full throttle in that case i assume its because i'm flooring it the front lifts a tiny bit (plus i was going up hill) and hence some wobble might appear under heavy acceleration (this has only happened 2-3 times in 2 years), right?
2) I have my front tire that is cupped and when i let go of the handle bars when slowing down (for ex coming to a red light) then it starts to wobble and the bars go from left to right, i assume this is due to my cupped front tire?

 

[rbesr]

Avalon786,
A cupped front tire can cause exactly what you are describing on decel.

 

[HavBlue]

Avalon786,
A cupped front tire can cause exactly what you are describing on decel.

A cupped front tire becomes a constant. In other words it should crate an issue on acceleration, deceleration, turning and on a cruise. Granted, the various load conditions will cause a difference but the condition will be there just the same. It concerns me that the bars are floating back and forth. In any event this is something that needs to be addressed and should in no way be put on the back burner.

 

[rbesr]

It should but the rider doesn't always feel it. With the weight transfer forward during decel, it becomes more evident. Regardless, I agree, it definitely is something needing to be corrected. Now!

 

[Mr T]

Gents, many thanks for all the positive responses. I have thanked everyone. Avalon786 reply, post #11 “when i let go of the handle bars when slowing down (for ex coming to a red light) then it starts to wobble and the bars go from left to right, best describes my problem. Excuse my ignorance, but what is a cupped tire?

I’m planning on fitting 2 x pilot power 2ct’ next week as the stock Dunlop’s are crap. Hopefully this will sort out the problem

T

 

[Fred]

Uneven wear of a tire's tread.

This can happen in several ways, the most obvious is a place where the tread wears faster, thus creating a "cup" in the tread.

You can also have raised blocks of tread that wear more on the front than the back, or vice versa, giving the tire tread a saw toothed profile.

In your case, centerstand the bike, put some weight on the back so that the front wheel comes up, and slowly spin the front wheel. See if you notice any variation in the tread.

I don't know if anyone mentioned it already, but make sure you haven't lost a wheel weight.

 

[Wavex]

I am quite surprised no-one mentioned the steering head bearings... very frequent problem on the FZ, and will create front end wobble and "knocks" when braking or going over bumps...

I`ve changed to All Balls tappered bearing on both my FZs... much much better.

:edit: this is what a lot of ppl saw when changing their steering bearings on the FZ... the stock bearing seal is crap... All Balls is cheap and great:

View attachment 5293

 

[Mr T]

Uneven wear of a tire's tread.

This can happen in several ways, the most obvious is a place where the tread wears faster, thus creating a "cup" in the tread.

You can also have raised blocks of tread that wear more on the front than the back, or vice versa, giving the tire tread a saw toothed profile.

In your case, centerstand the bike, put some weight on the back so that the front wheel comes up, and slowly spin the front wheel. See if you notice any variation in the tread.

I don't know if anyone mentioned it already, but make sure you haven't lost a wheel weight.

Fred, much appreciated, i have a list of things to check this weekend. Running dyna beads in both tires, no problem so far with beads in my MT01
bike is as smooth as glass

T

 

[Mr T]

I am quite surprised no-one mentioned the steering head bearings... very frequent problem on the FZ, and will create front end wobble and "knocks" when braking or going over bumps...

I`ve changed to All Balls tappered bearing on both my FZs... much much better.

:edit: this is what a lot of ppl saw when changing their steering bearings on the FZ... the stock bearing seal is crap... All Balls is cheap and great:

View attachment 5293

Any idea what the replacement bearings and seal numbers are? I have noticed brown fluid oozing from the yoke, so I think I'll do the steering head bearings anyhow.

T

 

[Avalon786]

So i checked again and my wobble is pretty much gone, i knew i had a front cupped tire due to not enough air in the tire (i honestly didnt check pressure once for a whole year as i was not riding much for that year i just forgot to do it ) but i must have put over 1000miles since i discovered it was cupped (found out when i got my 4000miles service) since i've been checking the PSI regularly and i think i smoothed out the tire to a more even wear