Vibration in the front forks?

[LCS249]

So, I only just got my XJ and while it looks pretty good cosmetically, it's going to need a fair amount of TLC. Runs rough, seems to put out a lot of fumes ...

(sort of wish I was able to buy the one in NJ that just came up.)

Took it for a longer ride yesterday and the vibration in the front forks was an issue. Could really feel it in my right hand since I had to keep a tight grip on the throttle.

I know this bike was in an accident about a year ago, and a fork stabilizer was installed.

Maybe the forks need to be replaced?

Your thoughts and ideas would be much appreciated.

[Ken Talbot]

I would look first at the front tire to see if has any uneven wear such as cupping, etc. If the vibration is more pronounced at a particular speed, then I would take the wheel off to check its balance. Look also for any signs that the forks might been been bent, or knocked slightly out of alignment. If it looks like things might have been tweaked a bit, there is a process for loosening it all up, straightening it, then snugging it all back up again. Use the search tool at the top of the page to look for 'fork align' or similar variations.

[LCS249]

Thank you, Ken. That sounds like the right start.

The rear is a Metzler that looks pretty good, but the front is a King or King's something that I can't judge. Will ask someone.

The age of the tires is a complete unknown with a used bike that has changed hands a few times in the past few years.

The odometer says 16,000, and I'm hoping that's right, vs. it having been replaced at some time.

I did a Carfax check prior to buying and it said the only issue was the accident report and that the mileage was good.

best, Leon

[TopCatGr58]

Hey LEON,

It might be a CHING-SHEN?

You may not be aware of this, but you should be able to find an oval stamped/molded into the side of the tire, with a few numbers in it, like (4203) or such. The first 2 numbers are the week of production, the last 2 are the year, so the above example is the 42nd week of 2003. THat will help tell you what year and how old the tire is. Has been recommended that if it's more than 4 years old, that you'll probably want to invest in a new one anyways!

BTW, the XJ used a built in fork brake on the underside of the OEM fender to start with, so with an additional FB mounted on top, it should be quite stable otherwise, so check out what Ken said about alignments. One trick is to take a plane of glass from like an 8x10 picture and lay it across the upper tubes, it should contact both tubes flatly, but if it doesn't then they are out of line, or even bent!?
T.C.

[LCS249]

Thanks, T.C., I didn't know about the oval.

And I agree on replacement based on age. Dried out rubber is not a good way to meet the road.

The plate glass idea is cool -- I can try that.

Best, Leon

[prometheus578]

Tire could also have developed a flat spot from sitting too long. I'd replace it, as it's a King, or a Kong, or as T.C. mentioned, maybe a "Chicken-Skin". (they may be good enough for people in China... but their lives have little value to me)

[LCS249]

Yep, it's a Kings ... but I can't find that oval T.C. mentioned. It may be at the top under the fender.

Need to move everything in the garage to see... will check later.

[LCS249]

To TopCat's dating question...

O.K., T.C.

Got out a strong light and looked.

The front tire is (2604) -- 26th week of 2004 ...

... and the Metzler Marathon in back that I was so happy to see is (3600) -- 36th week of 2000 ...

Guess I'm getting both front and rear tires.

best, Leon

P.S. Thank you for enlightening me on that.