What is normal?

[Deano62]

Ok, I've read the owner's manual, and I've read the Haynes Workshop Manual. Now I'm coming to my new source for information.

I took the state safety course on their bike... a 250. Needless to say, even someone of my limited stature can "toss around" something that small. After a 22 year break from riding I re-started on this 1979 XS1100 Std. My riding skills are more than adequate for this bike. But this monster of mine is loaded... Vetter faring, hard bags, and trunk. On the hi-way or the Pocono Mountain backroads, it's all good. BUT... in a slow tight turn the front end wobbles something fierce. It feels like the axle nuts have been loosened. I can feather the clutch and goose the throttle to keep from going down, but it gets pretty hairy. Are you wondering if there is a point? Ok, ok.

Is there something loose in the forks somewhere? Or, is the weight of the faring just making it feel that way?

In case you're wondering why I don't ask my mechanic... after taking it in to the Yamaha dealer twice, I don't trust them as far as I can throw them.

Oh, and by the way -- I'm loving this forum. I wish I had found it sooner. I would have gone to the WV rally this weekend. Just didn't have time to plan.

[Ken Talbot]

The weight of the fairing does contribute to that wobbly feeling, as will lack of a fork brace, low tire pressure, and loose bolts on the triple trees.
- You can check for the loose bolts yourself, although you might want to remove the fairing first so you can see what you're getting into.
- Tire pressure is easy.
- You can demonstrate for yourself how much flex there is in the front end. At a standstill, grab the handlebars and pull them left then right rapidly just a couple of inches or so. The term limp noodle might come to mind. Is this what you're feeling during your low-speed manoeuvers?

[steelcat]

If you have a special front end, low air pres. will give you a wobble & mushy feel.

[Underdog]

I assume you mean the air in the forks not tires? Whats a good number to run in them? And, is it normal for them to bleed down slowly? I put 23 lbs in mine to see if they would hold (just sitting in the garage) lost 3lbs in a couple of days. Sorry to cut in on the thread. I thought it relevant.

[skids]

There might be a couple of other things you can do, like adjust the steering head, check for tire wear profile (tread flattened around the center), and maybe check axle bearings for slop, and trailing arm adjustment. I wonder if maybe progressive springs in the forks with slightly higher viscosity fork oil, in lieu of using air pressure, is the way to go for you?

Originally posted by Ken Talbot
The weight of the fairing does contribute to that wobbly feeling, as will lack of a fork brace, low tire pressure, and loose bolts on the triple trees.
-(snip)?

[mitch]

Underdog

The capacity is so small in the forks that just unplugging the gauge then plugging it back in will cost u 3 lbs. leave it for a couple weeks then check it, also consider the amount of time it takes to get the gauge off and on....................MITCH

[Deano62]

Thanks for the input everyone. The Haynes book says the forks should be air assist. But in the exploded diagram there is no air valve. As of right now I'm going to attribute the problem to worn tires. I've been told a couple of times now that I really need to get tires. Alas, the landlord wants his rent too. Have to prioritize...guess the rent will have to wait. lol

Thanks again for the input.