xs Handle bars

[scdxs]

HELP ME WITH THIS GUYS

I just picked up my "new" 1980 XS last night and on the ride home noticed a considerable wobble in the handle bars. Has any one experienced this? I noticed bushings at the triplr trees is this the answer? If so.not can it be reduced/eliminated? Thanks.

[LoserShoes]

Do they look like the original bars? Could be someone put in a set that was too small a diameter.

Steve

[scdxs]

Stock Bars

They are stock bars. The wobble goes through the tripple trees to the nuts below. I was thinking the wobble comes from the bushings. I assume you don't have this on your bike? Any remedy? Do I need a new triple tree?

[John]

You say there are bushings, and nuts attached to the handlebar risers? They are not cast directly into the upper triple tree? The OEM upper triple clamp for an XS11 does not have detachable risers mounted in rubber, they are cast into the upper clamp. If you have rubber mounted risers on an XS11, then they are not original. The XS750-850 does have the rubber mounted, detachable risers, and it's sounds like someone has swapped out the triple clamps.
You talking about an XS11, aren't you?

[scdxs]

xs11

Yup xs11! Sounds like a swap. To you're knowledge, are the 750 and 850 supposed to wobble (perhaps to reduce vibration)?

[John]

Just the very nature of the rubber bushings should allow for some flex, but I wouldn't think that a wobble would be built in. I used to own a 79 XS750 Special, but that was 15 years ago , and I don't remember just how much give there was in the bars/bushings. I would recommend getting the proper triple clamps though.

[LoserShoes]

What your top triple tree should look like.
There small differences between Standard and Special, but this should help.



Steve

[MartyA]

If the wobble just showed up suddenly, and when you are riding in a straight line, you might have a bubble in your tire, or a broken belt. Mine suddenly started wobbling over 60 last fall, found a missing wheel weight.

Check air pressure - front and rear tires.

If the wobble is on the sweepers or curves you should look at everything that tightens. Steering head, axle, handle bar bolts...

How old are the shocks? Worn out shocks can cause wandering.

[beechfront]

this probably does not apply to you - but on my bike, if i let go of the handle bars it will begin to shake violently. and this only happens when i have my luggage rack installed. very strange.

[excess11]

Reply

If your bikes front end shakes when you let go of the bars it sounds like you should check your wheel bearings and also the bushings in the rear swing arm. Are your tires worn uneven,more wear on left or right side of tire. That would indicate one of these problems