Hi All, I have a front end wobble on my 06 1050 Sprint ST. Stratford Triumph said it was the fork header bearings that needed replacing, £300 to replace quoted. Frasers Of Gloucester said it was the vibration from the engine traveling through the chain and into the frame. Nothing to worry about- all perfectly normal. I'm not happy with either of these opinions. Any suggestions?
Sorry you have a wobble, head bearings seems more likely than engine vibes (sounds like inexperienced bull!) !!!! But have you checked the basics tyre condition and pressures (BOTH) , wheel alignment, free smooth steering with no notchines - no play in head bearings with f wheel off the deck ?? Balance weights have not flung off etc. It really annoys me that the "experts" will take our money on a hunch, then when that does not turn out to be the solution, charge for something else. Can you find a "proper" mechanic for a 2nd opinion? My dealer seems to have have lost its experienced mechanics and employed young inexperienced (cheaper?) lads . I think every repair centre should have someone there who has knowledge and experience to advise others and help them learn. Sadly this seem less and less now... Hope you find the answer !
Yeah. Frasers gave the whole head stick a good going over. The wobble is consistent no matter the speed or revs so not likely to be wheel balancing. Anyone know a good mechanic in the Coventry area?
Ok, more info. The wobble or jitter, or whatever, is at a constant rate and not dependent on speed or revs. It is however more noticeable at 20-30 mph when the handling goes a bit funny. Less noticeabe after 4000 revs. Could wheel alignment cause anything like this? I don't think it is wheel bearing, brake, tire etc related because it is the same with power, without, at high speed and low.
Sounds a bit like a misshaped tyre to me get someone to hold the bike with the front wheel off the ground and spin the tyre looking for it being wobbling up-down or side to side on the rim.
Speed would affect that though. I've had it for 3 month. Judder seems to have developed over the last 6 weeks.
But you said is more noticeable up to 30-40 mph and therefore is speed related, whether that be high or low speed. And a tyre can distort slowly or quickly over a period of time to a small or larger extent, I personally would check rather than dismissing things because you don't think its likely.
Sorry. It is hard to explain. All I know is that it doesn't change with speed like wheel balancing or bearing might.
What, causing a front end wobble. Unlikely in my opinion. This is more likely to be a front tyre issue than anything else.
Front end "issues" can be generated by a problem with the back of the bike ! Swing arm bearings can cause weaving, shot rear wheel bearings can cause weaving/instability issues. What I'm hearing here is headstem bearings loose or worn out , it's more likely if the headstem bearings are ball and race than if they are tapered needle roller bearings ! I had similar experiences with my America when it was 18 months old had 25,000 klm and roller bearings , I put tapered roller bearings in , now got 110,000 klm and its never reoccured . So Check all front bearings and tyre wear and pressure , if nothing found do the same for the rear ! It's most likely a worn/loose bearing . Cheers capt
You’re gonna need to go through things systematically I would start with the tyres then wheels moving onto wheel bearings then head bearings and suspension bushes/bearings It’s important not to dismiss the back end as when it comes to bikes the tail can wag the dog
Some bedtime reading...... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_and_motorcycle_dynamics I am with Dilli. If you think of normal motion as an imperceptible snake like movement you will appreciate that back end lateral rigidity is important or you effectively have slight (uncontrolled) rear wheel steering that you correct at the front. There are multiple possibilities but they all turn (sic) on something rotating in the cycle parts being worn: tyres, bearings, bushes. Systematic nose to tail checks required. For much the same reason a chain is a lousy transmitter of vibration. It might itself be a cause but seriously?
