New ignition switch...new wobble

[ridernotbiker]

A few weekends ago I went to get the ignition switch replaced (via recall) on my 08 AE. My buddy rides along on his 07 AE for the same thing. The dealer/shop has both bike for about 2 hours and the replacements are completed. I look over the ignition area to see if there is any noticable changes (or damages). I couldn't see any difference except the throttle/brake cables are out of their retention bracket. My buddy still has a red lined decal on the key door of his ignition. OK, easy fixes. Let's ride. After the more than an hour ride back, we both commented how strongly the winds were trying to push us around. Again, no biggy.

A couple of days ago, I can't seem to track a good line in my lane. I thought I might not be what I call "in-the-groove" that day and should just go park it and wash it. (that's right, I said WASH it!) Anyhow, I'm glad I did. Both upper bracket pinch bolts for the forks were ready to fall out! I call my buddy to warn him, and while still on the phone I hear, "Oh my God! My steering nut just came off in my hand!" Normally I'd have some fun with a line like that but I was still in a very serious, pissed-off mood. We torque both bikes (85 ft.lb/steering nut, 19 for the pinch bolts) and wonder what "could have happened" if we didn't catch this. :mega_shok:

So that's the background for my "wobble" question. After the little torque job, I ride and I'm back in-the-groove tracking straight and falling into the turns so smoothly! Then, on a flat stretch, I release the throttle and let it roll off so can scratch or adjust or what ever. The left hand has a very, very light grip and the wobble starts during deceleration. :fie: Never had a true tankslapper but this I would discribe as a mini one with about a one inch forward throw and a one inch back travel of the handle bar tips. I'm able to repeat it but didn't notice the speed or rpms that it occurs. (Didn't think about it until later but speed was under 45mph). Once through a certain speed(?), the wobble goes away. All else feels very good. Acceleration is normal.

OK folks, what is not right or needs adjustment? Remember, the AE is still "in gear" when the throttle is released (no clutch and no putting it in neutral) and the engine is slowing the bike alot faster than one that can coast. Tires are good. Wheel weights looked OK. Bike evenly loaded. Road is straight, etc.

Looking for some helpful comments about the wobble and what you think about the fine service two bikes got that day. :worriedsmiley:

 

[mdisher]

OK, I won't say 'search' but if you do you'll find that a decel wobble between 40~50 (mostly around 45) is very common on these bikes. Had the same thing on my ZX11.

It's less pronounced when tires are new and gets worse with tire age but is very common.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Now there's an oxymoron,

A Bay County boy asking about a wobble.

As much as they get hammered over there.

But back on post, I'd say you two got a sometimes typical service by the Yamaha Dealer.

Just reading all the ignition recall stories seems to support that, though yours seems to take the cake.

As far as the wobble goes, I could mimic that on my 06 when the front tire had quite a few miles on it.

If the bolts were that loose, could the forks could be slightly askew? Maybe, but you could loosen everything up and try to re-tighten again as if you had removed the forks themselves.

Got a service manual?

 

[v65]

If I was your buddy I would have a look at the bearing races in the steering head.

 

[ridernotbiker]

Thanks Renegade. Tires have 5000 on them and it could be coincidental that the timing of this follows the loose bolt/nut issue. (still very fresh in my mind at the time)

Capt. Bob, thats my question too, if they could become askew. The wobble wasn't noticed with hands weighted on the bars. Thought the gyro of the wheel was upset a bit.

Lacking all other input, I'm leaning with commonality of this for the breed of the bike.

 

[ridernotbiker]

v65, I'll pass that on to him. Thanks.

 

[Brodie]

Hey you just found the Yamawobble. :shok:

Wakes you up doesn't it?


First things first, you and your buddy have to go back to the dealer and raise hell[SIZE=12pt] - big time! [/SIZE]

Make sure it 's when there are other customers present! Everybody needs to know what kind of service to expect when they bring their bikes in. These fucktards mechanics have some gall to send you two on your merry way with a front end that can fall apart at any moment when you're at speed in heavy traffic.



You guys could have been killed!



After that find another yamaha dealer! Don't EVER go back to them. :angry:

Now, the Yamawobble...

These bikes are sometimes prone to it. Tyre construction, inflation, tyre wear, sun spots, tyre pressure, steering head bearing looseness, and a myriad of other things may contribute to this phenomena. Typically it happens when decelerating from around 50 to 35 mph, but can happen at a constant speed in that range. My bike sometimes does that, typically it's telling me my front tyre is about due for replacement.

I won't go into what fixes you can perform to minimize the wobble, others will chime in on that - or you can search the forum for past discussions. It can be addressed successfully if you stay at it.

Good luck!

Brodie

 

[fjr105]

Sorry to hear this story and very close to what took place on my visit to w. Washington st dealer here in Indy, what a bunch of idiots, I thought these where supposed to be professionals, short story I'll never go back there for any thing, I hope no one gets hurt from the idiots working on these thing's If I had it to do over I would have left the old ignition switch in.

.02

P.S. I didn't get more then a couple miles away from the stealership before I noticed the F*ckups and returned immediately, raised hell and they took care of it, it still shouldn't have happened

 

[JamesK]

I know on my GenII the wobble you describe occurs when I have the topbox on, without the topbox my FJR will come to almost a stop wobble free, on even reasonable tire, i.e. without front excessive cupping.

PS. my experience is with a Givi E52, but I think the problem would be similar with the Yama topbox too.

 

[ahchiu]

Did you call the dealer and tell them what happened, I would give them hell

 

[boomerang]

I'm wondering if a fork stiffing brace would help with the wobble? Also wondering if any one else has the same complaint as I do about the way the fjr tends to be influenced so much by uneven roads or cracks. To me it feels like the bike or frame or forks are twisting and flexing.

 

[jzzmusician]

Boomerang,

You wrote: "Also wondering if any one else has the same complaint as I do about the way the fjr tends to be influenced so much by uneven roads or cracks. To me it feels like the bike or frame or forks are twisting and flexing."

Mine did that until I did adjusted the suspension and put on new tires. Now on the same roads I go faster with less effort and no "nervousness" in the handling.

Bob

 

[Patriot]

I know on my GenII the wobble you describe occurs when I have the topbox on, without the topbox my FJR will come to almost a stop wobble free, on even reasonable tire, i.e. without front excessive cupping.PS. my experience is with a Givi E52, but I think the problem would be similar with the Yama topbox too.

my Gen I with Yammy trunk (topbox)

+1

seems proportional to age/mileage of front tire

 

[dcarver]

It has more to do with tire wear and front wheel loading than anything else.

I can make new tires dance and make worn tires by changing suspension settings and ride positions.

Proven across a variety of brands/models of tires and 65k plus miles.

Now, there is nothing 'wrong'with your bike. But the dealer, phuck him and make him squeal. That just ain't right.

 

[RadioHowie]

phuck him and make him squeal

Best advice given since since Josephine told Napoleon to pass on Waterloo.

He didn't. The OP should!

 

[ridernotbiker]

All good stuff. Thanks to all.

I finally did a search, and yes, it is well covered here. Been signed up since about September and lurked for about 10 months before that and still missed that whole section (and more no doubt.)

I have miles on the tires, cal sci medium shield, and a pillion back rest that may catch some slipstream. All this could be contributing factors.

As for the dealer... the manager wasn't in Tuesday (and closed Monday) but my co-victim has sent an email and made a phone call. He has a service plan there, I think for four years, with almost three left, and has all routine servicing done there. He will be making demands. I have lost nothing because I was there under recall. (But what I could have lost...!!! :dead: ) Maybe I can get an apology and a parting gift. Might send Yamamama a note if I don't get a warm fuzzy. I won't spend a penny there and will warn anyone thinking about going there. :exclamation:

I've taken off the backrest and I'll try some minor suspension adjustments to see if that helps with the wobble.

From me...words you already know but never hurts to be reminded of... ALWAYS look over your bike after servicing. After that, check it again and touch the parts! (Things that should move, must; and things that shouldn't move, mustn't.) Then have a different set of eyes look it over.

 

[ridernotbiker]

A short update:

I took the backrest off and checked the suspension, and confirmed that’s not a contributing factor (didn't think it would be). Test runs found the wobble worse than originally known. Starting out at 65mph, I allow a hands-off decel and get the wobble beginning at 55mph through to the low 40's then it will smooth out again. (scary at about 45!) :scare:

The answer (for me):

The "Bridgestone Ridge". (About a 1" wide bulge around the entire center of the tire. Well documented in the forums.) As the wheel decays and weight shifts (cg) forward, it falls off of the centerline of the tire (the "Ridge"). Because the wheel's rotation is slowing, a non-constant is exploited and the stability of a gyroscopic effect that tries to hold it "true" and keep it centered is upset. The ridge magnifies what is normally not noticed by the engineering design of the bike.

There you have it. Bad tire.

Tread wear is minimal that I don't like that I will have to replace it. I've been riding with the ridge so long without a problem that I guess that it was time for it to show up in the handling somewhere. Coincidental that it showed up after finding the loose pinch bolts.

The dealer never called me but did tell my friend that if I need something just ask the service manager. That's sooooo nothing!

How vague. Dealer hasn't said anything more than an apology to him either. By-the-way, for the local riders, it's the one at our neighboring county. I was really hoping they would work out good after the cold dealing I had with our local dealer.

Thanks again to all.

 

[Brodie]

...there you have it. Bad tire.Tread wear is minimal that I don't like that I will have to replace it. I've been riding with the ridge so long without a problem that I guess that it was time for it to show up in the handling somewhere...

The neat thing about these bikes is the way they go through tyres. :blink:

If you have a set giving you problems, just put a couple thousand miles on them and you get a chance to try a different brand.

It's not like the bike is doomed to run it's whole service life on the same rubber.




The other neat thing is our tyre size is very popular, even my daughter's CBR600F4i uses the same exact size front and rear. If there is a decent amount of groove depth and the general condition of the tyre is good, perhaps you can sell it to a sport bike owner for 40 bucks.

Worth a try.

Brodie