Odd handling problem

[geoff.b]

Hi all,
   my M1000ie Dark (2003) has developed an odd problem over the last couple of months. Increasingly, any input at the pegs (moving foot forward for a quick gear change, or bouncing foot on a peg) causes a mild wobble at the front end. This is most evident at speeds over 100kmh.

I've just had the front Showas rebuilt i case I had a fork problem, still no joy.

I have an Ohlins steering damper, but haven't been game to back it off to see what the wobble is like without it. Tires are good (Michelen Pilot Power running 34f/36r psi), rear shock is an Ohlins. No obvious cracks in steering head or swing arm. Bike has approx 20,000kms on it.

Any suggestions please?

Thank you

Geoff

[ducpainter]

Have you checked your steering head bearings?

[Jobu]

Have you checked your steering head bearings?

Yea, sounds like those might be wearing out or the steering stem nut is loose.

Also, check rear wheel alignment.  I recently had a little problem that caused my rear wheel to get out of alignment (completely my fault, though) and it caused some nasty headshake at higher speeds.

[clubhousemotorsports]

+1
sounds like something is loose
head bearings
axle pinch bolts
wheel bearings
rear wheel
rear wheel bearings

your damper may be masking just how bad the symptoms are, this is a problem. Dampers are like turning up the radio in the car so you don't know the engine sounds like it is going to blow.

[mitt]

Also engine mount bolts

mitt

[Spidey]

Any suggestions please?

Yeah.  Don't ride it until you've got this figured out. 

What's the condition of your tires?  What work did you do to the bike (if anything) in the month prior to noticing the wobble?

It's probably not the front end, as you've just had that apart. (I assume they took the forks off the bike to rebuild).  I'd check rear alignment (just take the rear wheel off and put it back on again), chain and sprocket wear, swingarm pivot, engine bolts, steering stem nut and steering bearings.   If the steering stem nut was loose, you'd probably notice it at slow speed as well.  Try backing off the damper and see if it feels loose at slow speeds.   

[scott_araujo]

It might be the front end, just not the sliders.  As already mentioned check the head tube bearings and make sure the forks tubes are properly aligned.  Again make sure nothing else is loose.  Also, are the wheels balanced well?

Scott

[geoff.b]

Thank you for all the tips.

Front forks have been stripped down, and the front reassembled. I didn't check the head stem bearing while I had it apart, regretting that...

Tires are all good, good pressure, I put new rear sprocket and chain on about 2000km ago. Front sprocket in good condition. I've aligned the back wheel by at least two different methods.

I think I will have to put on a sturdy pair of underpants, wind the steering damper down, and take it for a ride. See how bad it is.

While I'm here, I believe the steering head bearings are ball-type. Can you get tapered roller bearings for the Monsters?

I'll keep looking for the problem and let you know what I find. I hate handling problems like this, especially after a dramatic tank slapper years ago that put dents in the fuel tank.

[ducpainter]

Thank you for all the tips.

Front forks have been stripped down, and the front reassembled. I didn't check the head stem bearing while I had it apart, regretting that...

Tires are all good, good pressure, I put new rear sprocket and chain on about 2000km ago. Front sprocket in good condition. I've aligned the back wheel by at least two different methods.

I think I will have to put on a sturdy pair of underpants, wind the steering damper down, and take it for a ride. See how bad it is.

While I'm here, I believe the steering head bearings are ball-type. Can you get tapered roller bearings for the Monsters?

I'll keep looking for the problem and let you know what I find. I hate handling problems like this, especially after a dramatic tank slapper years ago that put dents in the fuel tank.

My 96 has tapered rollers, but I don't know if all the dimensions match up with the later ST style frames.

[Spidey]

Random thought --  did you check to make sure the wheel weights are still on the wheels?