shaking it's head

[unfazed]

Bet it solved the shaking problem, you would be afraid to take you hands off to check it. :lol
How far did you ride with that load?

[chunk166]

XJ900 Diversions are prone to the front end "wobble"! most put it down to having a top box,i would suggest if you don't have a box on check wheel & swingarm bearings too!!!


Ray

[wezdavo]

Putting the obvious like wheel, head and swingarm bearings aside which can be checked in a few minutes..

The problem could lie in the geometery..

Have you checked the sag?

How far round is the rear preload ring?

If the sag is correct, and the shock is in good order, check the air gap in the forks as it could be too low..

[Fazbaz]

I used to have a Fazer and without luggage it was fine but even with an empty topbox it would emulate your bike.

I ended up fitting a cheapy steering damper for piece of mind mainly for when touring.

I've still got it if you want it for the cost of postage and a few beers ( the steering damper and connections / mounts, not the Fazer ) 

Baz 

[stevierst]

Thanks for the replies guys. Been using the fz1 for a week or so,  and left the 600 in the garage. Found out yesterday that there is a slow puncture in the rear tyre and pumped it up to 40psi, front was only on 25psi, took it up to 32. Went for a ride and the shake is dramatically reduced, but still there.
Got to look into this further, as my other two Fazers didn't have this problem.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[jonesthesteam]

Hi all, sorry to resurrect an oldish thread but noticed mine doing the same today and wondered if the lack of bar ends may be contributing? Its got heated grips and the bar ends are not fitted (done before I owned it), it is also a 2001 model so has preload, I did wind in the preload a bit earlier this week and again,  I wonder if this could cause it?, i have wound it back out now and will check it on the road tomorrow, any guidance or advice welcome as it is a bit disconcerting, especially as I like to ride with quite a light grip on the bars :eek


Thanks in advance


Jonesy

[stevierst]

Mine did/does it with standard bars and weights, now I've got 785's on, it still shakes. Gonna check/overhaul the forks this summer, so hopefully that will solve it.


Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[jonesthesteam]

Mine did/does it with standard bars and weights, now I've got 785's on, it still shakes. Gonna check/overhaul the forks this summer, so hopefully that will solve it.


Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Thanks, like you this is my 3rd gen 1 Fazer and the 1st time I've noticed it as an issue, am hoping winding the preload out again may help a bit, but haven't had the bike long and today was the first long ride on it, was wondering whether the fork oil gets thinner/hotter the longer its ridden and whether this may have an effect?, may be chasing my tail a bit on this one.


Jonesy

[markaboot]

[quote author=darrsi link=topic=6191.msg56299#msg56299 date=1360198644]
Wheel/tyre out of balance, uneven fork oil level.

iam with you DARRSI.......what condition is the tyre in ?
[/quote]


agreed, i used to get wobble at 100mph. new front and rebalance and its gone even at 120mph. closed roads obviously 

[Gnasher]

Hi all, sorry to resurrect an oldish thread but noticed mine doing the same today and wondered if the lack of bar ends may be contributing? Its got heated grips and the bar ends are not fitted (done before I owned it), it is also a 2001 model so has preload, I did wind in the preload a bit earlier this week and again,  I wonder if this could cause it?, i have wound it back out now and will check it on the road tomorrow, any guidance or advice welcome as it is a bit disconcerting, especially as I like to ride with quite a light grip on the bars :eek


Thanks in advance Jonesy 

Bar end weights will do nothing they are there to deaden vibration through the bars.  Jacking up your preload can have a impact as you are reducing/steepening the head angle to a point but you'd have to go some to make it start shaking it's head.  Check the headraces as if they are loose/worn they will be far more sensitive to any shock adjustment or tyre wear/pressures.       
 

[jonesthesteam]

[quote author=jonesthesteam link=topic=6191.msg70718#msg70718 date=1366474977]
Hi all, sorry to resurrect an oldish thread but noticed mine doing the same today and wondered if the lack of bar ends may be contributing? Its got heated grips and the bar ends are not fitted (done before I owned it), it is also a 2001 model so has preload, I did wind in the preload a bit earlier this week and again,  I wonder if this could cause it?, i have wound it back out now and will check it on the road tomorrow, any guidance or advice welcome as it is a bit disconcerting, especially as I like to ride with quite a light grip on the bars :eek


Thanks in advance Jonesy 

Bar end weights will do nothing they are there to deaden vibration through the bars.  Jacking up your preload can have a impact as you are reducing/steepening the head angle to a point but you'd have to go some to make it start shaking it's head.  Check the headraces as if they are loose/worn they will be far more sensitive to any shock adjustment or tyre wear/pressures.       

[/quote]


Thanks, have wound the preload back out again and no real difference, always wondered whether the preload does much at all!, anyhows it only happens when taking hands off the bars so not a big issue, I have planned some progressive springs and a new front tyre in a few months and a service in a couple of weeks when I'll ask them to check the head races, so hopefully all that that will make a difference.


Jonesy

[darrsi]

They've already got progressive springs as standard.
I'd be inclined to change the fork oil if you don't know when it was last checked, and make sure the levels are spot on.
The level for 00/01 bikes are different to 98/99 bikes because you have the adjusters, so more internal metal work and less oil, so make sure you get the correct air gap from the manual.
And i don't know what build you are, but if you are of the heavier variety then try using 15w grade oil rather than 10w, i found it to make the front end much more stable, but then i'm no lightweight.
If you look like you need a good meal then stay with the 10w otherwise you'll find it a bit bumpy up front, although at least you can use your adjusters.
I've got older forks without adjusters on my 00/01 bike, but have had no problems at all. 

[jonesthesteam]

They've already got progressive springs as standard.
I'd be inclined to change the fork oil if you don't know when it was last checked, and make sure the levels are spot on.
The level for 00/01 bikes are different to 98/99 bikes because you have the adjusters, so more internal metal work and less oil, so make sure you get the correct air gap from the manual.
And i don't know what build you are, but if you are of the heavier variety then try using 15w grade oil rather than 10w, i found it to make the front end much more stable, but then i'm no lightweight.
If you look like you need a good meal then stay with the 10w otherwise you'll find it a bit bumpy up front, although at least you can use your adjusters.
I've got older forks without adjusters on my 00/01 bike, but have had no problems at all. 

Never knew that!, just saved me £100, thanks, I'm 12 stone so pretty average build, I think I'll get a new tyre as one will be needed soon and make sure they balance it at the same time and see if that helps.


Do you have any guide on what I should set the preload at?, i see there are 6 marks, when I got it a month ago you could see 5 of the markings, it is a bit bumpy on the front end but the roads in Devon are in a pretty shit way which doesn't help. I have no idea how suspension settings work regarding sag and all that!


Jonesy

[darrsi]

I always preferred the front to be firm firstly 'cos i'm heavier but also 'cos i used to take passengers and you get much better control when the front isn't diving on braking.
When i had adjustable forks i had them turned right in with just the one notch showing.
For your weight i wouldn't try the 15w oil, i reckon you'll find it too firm.
If i was you i'd try it on the 3rd notch for a while and if you don't like it move one notch at a time until you feel what's best for you.

[domtrails]

If its done it from purchase then it could be twisted forks, if its been a gradual thing then change the front tyre and or get it balanced properly. Worst thing is a bent and or twisted frame - dont want to scare you but maybe you should have a close look.

[jonesthesteam]

If its done it from purchase then it could be twisted forks, if its been a gradual thing then change the front tyre and or get it balanced properly. Worst thing is a bent and or twisted frame - dont want to scare you but maybe you should have a close look.

Eeeeek! , no worries though, bike was HPI checked and thoroughly checked over at my local garage prior to purchase so am pretty confident that all is okay structurally  , front tyre is a bit square and doesn't have much life left so will replace sooner rather than later and get balanced etc, with hands on the bars there's no wobble at all right up to warp speed, its just when releasing them a wobble starts, exactly as the OP described, I'll also set the preload to 3 and take it from there, thanks for the advice


Jonesy

[darrsi]

Don't forget when a tyre is worn the balancing is not as accurate as when it was new, 'cos there's less rubber and weight.

[domtrails]

Almost defo the front tyre - get it changed but beware you will find the bike handles rather well with new boots dont fall into the trap I fell into of over confidence and then come a cropper...... :'(

[jonesthesteam]

Just in case anyone else has this problem, today I had a new front tyre fitted and balanced and voila problem solved, sorry to highjack your thread stevierst and hope you solve your problem soon.


Jonesy