Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[VTXGRL]

Hi guys, long time no post (but I still lurk a lot).  I've finally started to develop the infamous wobble and have just bought the All Balls tapered bearings and progressive front springs.  Here's my question... how permanent is this fix?  The reason I ask is that I don't have the tools or know-how to do this myself.  So if it's a pretty permanent fix I'll just spend the $$ to have the stealer do it.  But if this is something I'll have to do again in the next however-many-miles, is there someone out there willing to lend a hand and show me how to do this on my own and let me know the exact tools I need? (been checking posts/threads and see quite a few just make their own special tool for the bearing job)  I've been learning to do most of the basic maintenance myself, so I'm not completely inept , however, I would need some help.

If anyone is willing, we could talk about compensation, be it $$ or food & beer.  I live out in the Keller area.  Thanks!

[gsboriqua]

Bearings wear out, but I do believe the all balls will last alot longer than than oem ones.  Upon install, I could immediately see how the design is an improvement over the oem's.  A couple things I would check though is to make sure your triple trees are secure.  You may just need to tighten them up and the wobble will go away.

[ViciousNoob]

The wobble is caused by the cheap a$$ bearings that comes from the factory. The all-balls fixes it for good. Mine has about 10k miles since the swap...no wobble has come back

[hipshot]

One thing that a lot of people tend to overlook is maintenance. You occasionally have to reset the bearing as it wears, to preclude slack . I've seen a lot of high-mileage bikes that had too-loose steering head bearings. We're not talking a whole lot of slack, but it doesn't take much. Often retorquing the bearing will cure the problem.

[TEXVTXER]

+1 on retorqueing (sp?) the steering bearings...

[Crewsn]

all the advice given is correct. I've got an 1800 that at 25K had to retorque the trees due to "slop".
since you already have the bearings go ahead and definetly replace them. I have yet to read of anyone ever having to replace the new bearings. good luck and ride safe.

[SteveS]

I had my 06 1300R checked at the dealer for steering wobble and a clunking niose in the front end. They said the wobble was typical of the model with stock tires,they suggested tightening the steering head bearings ( 6324 miles ).
 After $75.00 ,it still wobbled,and still had the klunking.
Put in Race Tech front springs (7473 miles ),that took care of the clunking ( front forks bottoming out on the stops ),the wobble not as bad.
Changed tires to Metzler 880's  ( 13699 miles ), 2000 miles ago no more wobble!!!!!!
These tires made my bike feel and ride so much better.
Good luck and have a nice day

[ViciousNoob]

Trust me on this one..... It's the bearings

I had the dreaded wobble. It was freaking horrible. i was just learning how to ride and it wobbled like hell....

I retorqued the old ones four times on my '03 1300 retro. Went too tight, too loose, just right, no help. When I replaced the bearings, it was immediately fixed. I swear it's the problem. I'm so sure that if it does not fix it, I'll give you the $26 bucks for the bearings and hang on to them myself. It'll work... I promise!

[VTXGRL]

Trust me on this one..... It's the bearings

I had the dreaded wobble. It was freaking horrible. i was just learning how to ride and it wobbled like hell....

I retorqued the old ones four times on my '03 1300 retro. Went too tight, too loose, just right, no help. When I replaced the bearings, it was immediately fixed. I swear it's the problem. I'm so sure that if it does not fix it, I'll give you the $26 bucks for the bearings and hang on to them myself. It'll work... I promise!

Yep, that must be the issue as this past week I borrowed a neighbors wrench and re-torqued with basically no effect.  I've got Metz tires, balance & tire pressure is good as well.  So now that I've got the All Balls & Progressives (I love DLP sales!), guess I'll just take it to the stealer for installation.

[Bomber]

I'm doing the Big Ballz and progressives all the way around.  Looking for someone in the DFW area that has that stinking socket to borrow or rent.  Even if I have to buy a socket, it'll be cheaper than a stealer taking off my fairing and other doo dadz. 

I could easily get a tankslapper if I let go of the bars when slowing through 40 or so.

[Tinman5507]

I believe i got one i'll check an post back tonight an let you know.

[Tinman5507]

It's going to be a 30 or 31mm, i have a 29 an 32mm. sorry

[hooter]

If it's a 30MM socket a 1 3/16" will work and if 31MM a 1 1/4" is just a hair big but should work. Find a hex socket (6 point) and you'll be ok.

[hipshot]

It's a castle socket.

[hooter]

It's a castle socket.

Woops I forgot.