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Old 08-07-2009, 01:11 PM   #1
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From: kennewick

I Ride: black zzr600
head shake question
first off what are the factors that cause headshake?

heres the scenario. 20 mph, no shake. 40-50 is when it shakes the worst, and 60+ no shake.

my guess is the front tire, but not sure where to start to correct this problem.
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Old 08-07-2009, 02:37 PM   #2
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From: spokane, wa

I Ride: 2006 R6 + 2008 RXV4.5 + 1985 RZ350 + 2003 YZ250F + 8 MORE
first check the obvious like tire condition-front and rear, along with tire pressure. do you have a mismatched set of tires? get the wheels in the air and check for a bent rim and rock the fork to see if there is any play in the steering head bearings. are the beads set all the way around on both sides of the tire, on both rims?
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Old 08-07-2009, 03:34 PM   #3
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From: Puyallup, Wa

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on acceleration, deceleration, steady throttle
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Old 08-07-2009, 04:20 PM   #4
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“ Quote:
Originally Posted by fastfoodfred View Post
first check the obvious like tire condition-front and rear, along with tire pressure. do you have a mismatched set of tires? get the wheels in the air and check for a bent rim and rock the fork to see if there is any play in the steering head bearings. are the beads set all the way around on both sides of the tire, on both rims?
Do you wheelie? If so Double check those steering head bearings.
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Old 08-07-2009, 05:41 PM   #5
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From: Poky, ID

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Based on those symptoms, at those speeds, I would check the front wheel balance before anything else.
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Old 08-07-2009, 05:51 PM   #6
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From: Spokane Valley

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“ Quote:
Originally Posted by SparkyZ View Post
Based on those symptoms, at those speeds, I would check the front wheel balance before anything else.
!

KevinD
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Old 08-07-2009, 08:41 PM   #7
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From: kennewick

I Ride: black zzr600
thanks for all the replies, it does this on decelleration when i let go of the clipons.


i checked my front end and everything is tight, and i don't do wheelies or anything, i did have to replace the rear tire a couple thousand miles ago, im just riding the last few miles out if the front before i replace it. so the tires arent the same, i went with a pilot road 2ct on the rear. so that sounds like it may be the problem. the front tire is cupped a bit, i might need to adjust the suspension too perhaps?
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Old 08-07-2009, 08:53 PM   #8
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are you running stock suspension?
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Old 08-07-2009, 08:56 PM   #9
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From: Mill Creek, Wa

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“ Quote:
Originally Posted by noslofiveoh View Post
thanks for all the replies, it does this on decelleration when i let go of the clipons.


i checked my front end and everything is tight, and i don't do wheelies or anything, i did have to replace the rear tire a couple thousand miles ago, im just riding the last few miles out if the front before i replace it. so the tires arent the same, i went with a pilot road 2ct on the rear. so that sounds like it may be the problem. the front tire is cupped a bit, i might need to adjust the suspension too perhaps?
i think i found your problem....
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Old 08-07-2009, 08:59 PM   #10
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“ Quote:
Originally Posted by Grantizzle View Post
i think i found your problem....

that is also in the list of things to correct.
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Old 08-07-2009, 09:30 PM   #11
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From: Seattle, WA

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did it do it before you changed the tire? Sounds like a balance issue to me. If you bike has headshake just going down the highway, there's something wrong with it. Take it back to where you got your tire changed and have them check the balance.
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Old 08-07-2009, 10:51 PM   #12
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From: Kenmore, WA

I Ride: 2006 dr z400s, 1979 Suzuki GS750 (about to be 1000cc), 1965 Honda CL160 (racer), a couple of deathtrap pocketbikes.
how are your fork seals? check for even fork oil levels in both sides.
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Old 08-07-2009, 10:55 PM   #13
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“ Quote:
Originally Posted by noslofiveoh View Post
thanks for all the replies, it does this on decelleration when i let go of the clipons.


i checked my front end and everything is tight, and i don't do wheelies or anything, i did have to replace the rear tire a couple thousand miles ago, im just riding the last few miles out if the front before i replace it. so the tires arent the same, i went with a pilot road 2ct on the rear. so that sounds like it may be the problem. the front tire is cupped a bit, i might need to adjust the suspension too perhaps?
A cupped tire usually indicates 'under inflation'. Start there.
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Old 08-08-2009, 04:23 AM   #14
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From: spokane, wa

I Ride: 2006 R6 + 2008 RXV4.5 + 1985 RZ350 + 2003 YZ250F + 8 MORE
Getting the last few miles out of a front tire is your issue. I almost always replace my tires as a set. I don't do wheelies or burn outs or abrupt starts, and I am fairly agressive on corner entries, so my tires wear out somewhat evenly. I just don't try to push it on the last bit of tire life, so they both get replaced at the same time.
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Old 08-08-2009, 05:32 AM   #15
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From: soap lake wa.

I Ride: 00kaw12r, 97 tls1000, 96gsxr1260 turbo freakshow, kz1300gt, 88gsxr1100, 86gsxr750, 82gsx1100ez, 79kz1300, 75 ducati750gts, 72 gt550 cafe
Had leaky seals for TOO long...religously 36lbs air... same head shake, as you... cupped a tire in 2.5k. Some said, air too low... wen to 37lbs...slightly less shake... some said, not enough rebound, cranked in a bit more...slightly better... but had uneven and low fork oil still... did seals, gold valves and springs, headstock bearing check... still shook, on the way to mount new tire...(thanks SLYGRIN!!!!!!)
NEW TIRE... NO MORE SHAKE...
TIRE CUPPED= shake.
got cupped, from low fork oil+ not enough rebound... balance, screwed at that time prolly...
back to 36lbs psi... PERFECT+...
CHECK IT ALL...
FREE and clean, Ripp'n
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Last edited by Rippn; 08-08-2009 at 05:36 AM..
 
Old 08-08-2009, 06:08 PM   #16
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From: kennewick

I Ride: black zzr600
“ Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawker View Post
did it do it before you changed the tire? Sounds like a balance issue to me. If you bike has headshake just going down the highway, there's something wrong with it. Take it back to where you got your tire changed and have them check the balance.
no it didnt do it before i changed the rear tire.

“ Quote:
Originally Posted by courier11sec View Post
how are your fork seals? check for even fork oil levels in both sides.
fork seals look good, no leaks. ill look into how to check the oil level and do that.

“ Quote:
Originally Posted by james1300 View Post
A cupped tire usually indicates 'under inflation'. Start there.
ill check it out

“ Quote:
Originally Posted by fastfoodfred View Post
Getting the last few miles out of a front tire is your issue. I almost always replace my tires as a set. I don't do wheelies or burn outs or abrupt starts, and I am fairly agressive on corner entries, so my tires wear out somewhat evenly. I just don't try to push it on the last bit of tire life, so they both get replaced at the same time.
your probably right, i don't recall it doing this before i switched the rear tire.

“ Quote:
Originally Posted by Rippn View Post
Had leaky seals for TOO long...religously 36lbs air... same head shake, as you... cupped a tire in 2.5k. Some said, air too low... wen to 37lbs...slightly less shake... some said, not enough rebound, cranked in a bit more...slightly better... but had uneven and low fork oil still... did seals, gold valves and springs, headstock bearing check... still shook, on the way to mount new tire...(thanks SLYGRIN!!!!!!)
NEW TIRE... NO MORE SHAKE...
TIRE CUPPED= shake.
got cupped, from low fork oil+ not enough rebound... balance, screwed at that time prolly...
back to 36lbs psi... PERFECT+...
CHECK IT ALL...
FREE and clean, Ripp'n
yep sounds about right, that's my plan for tomorrow.

thanks for the advice everyone i appreciate it, i'll see what i can find out. ooh and the bike in question is my avatar, with 6.5k miles.
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Last edited by noslofiveoh; 08-08-2009 at 06:10 PM..
 
Old 08-08-2009, 10:45 PM   #17
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From: spokane, wa

I Ride: 2006 R6 + 2008 RXV4.5 + 1985 RZ350 + 2003 YZ250F + 8 MORE
Check the rear tire to be sure it is seated all the way around on both sides, for balance, and also alignment. I once replaced a rear tire that started the same issue. Ditching the tire fixed the issue. Another time a set of used Dunlop 208's caused me instability issues that scared the crap out of me.

Wierd how the rear can effect the front.
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Old 08-09-2009, 04:13 PM   #18
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From: kennewick

I Ride: black zzr600
“ Quote:
Originally Posted by fastfoodfred View Post
Check the rear tire to be sure it is seated all the way around on both sides, for balance, and also alignment. I once replaced a rear tire that started the same issue. Ditching the tire fixed the issue. Another time a set of used Dunlop 208's caused me instability issues that scared the crap out of me.

Wierd how the rear can effect the front.
i checked the rear and it looks ok to me as far as i can tell. i double checked the alignment as well and it's even on both sides.
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Old 08-10-2009, 10:56 AM   #19
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From: Muk, WA

I Ride: Suzuki SV1000N, XR650R, CRF450R
Every street bike I have ever owned will start to wobble if you take you hands off the bars at about 40mph +/-. This is normal, you can not cure it. Don't take your hands off the bars at that speed. Here is a pretty good article on motorcycle stability, but the best was by Gordon Jennings, I just couldn't find it.

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/instability.htm
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Old 08-10-2009, 11:55 AM   #20
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I Ride: GSXR600, CBR600, YZ444, RZ350
No headshake before new rear tire? I would bet that your new rear tire is taller than your old rear tire, therefore raising the back of the bike. Either drop the fork tubes in the triple clamps to raise the front end, or replace the front tire to raise the front end. Or don't take your hands off the bars at 40+ mph while decelerating. My bike does it real bad, so I play around and watch the headlight wobble at night. Good times...
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Old 08-10-2009, 01:27 PM   #21
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thanks guys, pete thanks for the read, i'll check it out.
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Old 08-10-2009, 01:47 PM   #22
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From: soap lake wa.

I Ride: 00kaw12r, 97 tls1000, 96gsxr1260 turbo freakshow, kz1300gt, 88gsxr1100, 86gsxr750, 82gsx1100ez, 79kz1300, 75 ducati750gts, 72 gt550 cafe
It IS NOT "NORMAL"... there is something loose, worn, improperly adjusted or set up,
miss matched... Period. Find out what... get on a zzr forum, to see if it is something that happens FOR A REASON, to that bike. Also... check your fork bushings,
by full lock ... grabing your font axle area and your slider end and rock it... look at your dust seal to see if it wiggles...kind of like looking at your headstock bearing for play... but lower. check the swing arm bearings by a tug on the rear of the swinger... check your wheel bearings too... FIND OUT WHY!!... it's ONLY gonna GET WORSE...
FREE and clean, Ripp'n
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Old 08-11-2009, 07:40 AM   #23
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From: Pasco
“ Quote:
Originally Posted by Rippn View Post
It IS NOT "NORMAL"... there is something loose, worn, improperly adjusted or set up,
miss matched... Period. Find out what... get on a zzr forum, to see if it is something that happens FOR A REASON, to that bike. Also... check your fork bushings,
by full lock ... grabing your font axle area and your slider end and rock it... look at your dust seal to see if it wiggles...kind of like looking at your headstock bearing for play... but lower. check the swing arm bearings by a tug on the rear of the swinger... check your wheel bearings too... FIND OUT WHY!!... it's ONLY gonna GET WORSE...
FREE and clean, Ripp'n
I agree!

I have never had a street bike do this, it is NOT "normal".

If it started with the rear tire change, I would start with having the rear tire rebalanced. It could be causing an oscillation that transfers to the front end. If a balance doesnt help, dismount the rear tire and spin it on the rim 180 degrees, rebalance, and see if that helps.
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Old 08-11-2009, 08:16 AM   #24
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From: Corvallis, OR

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“ Quote:
Originally Posted by noslofiveoh View Post
thanks for all the replies, it does this on decelleration when i let go of the clipons.
My vote is your steering bearing needs a little tightening (a good front tire is needed too!)
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Old 08-11-2009, 03:02 PM   #25
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From: Muk, WA

I Ride: Suzuki SV1000N, XR650R, CRF450R
Just try taking your hands off the bars at a 50 mph cruise, on any sporty street bike. Betcha don't make it down to 30.
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Old 08-11-2009, 06:04 PM   #26
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I tried it. I made it well below 30.
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Old 08-11-2009, 06:41 PM   #27
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Joined: Apr 2007
From: soap lake wa.

I Ride: 00kaw12r, 97 tls1000, 96gsxr1260 turbo freakshow, kz1300gt, 88gsxr1100, 86gsxr750, 82gsx1100ez, 79kz1300, 75 ducati750gts, 72 gt550 cafe
PETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!
MY 97 TL1000S DOSEN'T EVEN SHAKE UNDER DECELERATION...
from 70+ DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bwhahahahahahaahahahahaahahahahaahahahhaaa!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OOOPS!...sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....
FREE and clean, Ripp'n
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Old 08-11-2009, 09:35 PM   #28
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I Ride: black zzr600
well at this point i'm going to start with a new front tire, because i know for sure that the one i have now is not helping (for all i know is the problem) one of these night's i'll get to a bike night and see if i can get someone with more experience than myself check it out if it's not too much trouble.
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Old 08-11-2009, 10:03 PM   #29
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Joined: Jun 2007
From: Covington, WA

I Ride: RC51, TL1000R, GSXR 750 (in pieces), Magna 1100, R6 (track)
How did you check rear tire alignment? Going by the marks on the swingarm=fail...if you measured from the rear of the swingarm to the axle, you'll get much more reliable results. Usually a misaligned rear will have headshakes on hard acceleration rather than decel though.
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Old 08-11-2009, 10:55 PM   #30
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Joined: Apr 2007
From: soap lake wa.

I Ride: 00kaw12r, 97 tls1000, 96gsxr1260 turbo freakshow, kz1300gt, 88gsxr1100, 86gsxr750, 82gsx1100ez, 79kz1300, 75 ducati750gts, 72 gt550 cafe
FIELD STRIP IT AT 'BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets do TEAM rht/lft side strip time trials... ignore the 4' foot oxygen tank and ported butterfly gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAIT!!!!!... James, can you bring about 8 of them 2000lbr' firefighter /hazmat scuba numbers... w/ a gang manifold...Can ya get a "jaws of life", for the chain?????? and a BIG PIPE WRENCH...HECK YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I getta to "work" w/ somebody that's ALREADY gone to jail for stripp'n bikes... we aint gotta put it back togather, do we?????... we do????...
shoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...I'm out...I'll NEVER remember...wait...what day????
Bwhahahahahahahahahahahahaahhhaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FREE and clean, Ripp'n
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Old 08-12-2009, 08:29 AM   #31
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From: kennewick

I Ride: black zzr600
“ Quote:
Originally Posted by gixer_racer View Post
How did you check rear tire alignment? Going by the marks on the swingarm=fail...if you measured from the rear of the swingarm to the axle, you'll get much more reliable results. Usually a misaligned rear will have headshakes on hard acceleration rather than decel though.
i just checked it the way u described and it is off a tad, so i will adjust that and check it on my lunch break, thanks for the tip.
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Old 08-12-2009, 08:32 AM   #32
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hahah ripp'n yous a funny guy, thanks for the mornin laugh
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Old 08-12-2009, 08:43 AM   #33
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From: Beaverton, OR

I Ride: Rizla, RC51
Did you remove the bar ends? Whese small insignificant pieces of metal when removed will cause your bars to act funny, vibrations, wobble ect......
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Old 08-12-2009, 09:12 AM   #34
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I Ride: black zzr600
“ Quote:
Originally Posted by SMOKE View Post
Did you remove the bar ends? Whese small insignificant pieces of metal when removed will cause your bars to act funny, vibrations, wobble ect......
i took em off and polished them but i put them back on
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