Front End Wobble

[Devita818]

Here is the problem my buddy has a 09 250r that has a wobble in the front end. He laid it over at 10mph but the problem existed before the accident.
When he lets off the bars the whole front end begins to wobble and shimmy from side to side. We tried the obvious things changing the fluid and seals in the front forks he even bought a stabilizer but none of it seemed to help. IS there anything that we are overlooking or is there anybody out there with the same problem?

[csmith12]

A search here of front end wobble should reveal quite a few of us had/has the problem. Mine however does not.

After checking the front end bits, your next step would be to look at the front tire, balance, air pressure, ect. When all else fails, try a new one. Many riders have experienced wobbles, shakes and other forms of chatter and it was solved by simply a new tire.

Also, check for stem nut tightness and the head bearing.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Devita818

Here is the problem my buddy has a 09 250r that has a wobble in the front end. He laid it over at 10mph but the problem existed before the accident.
When he lets off the bars the whole front end begins to wobble and shimmy from side to side. We tried the obvious things changing the fluid and seals in the front forks he even bought a stabilizer but none of it seemed to help. IS there anything that we are overlooking or is there anybody out there with the same problem?

Many things could be the origin of those wobbles, therefore your friend has a long list of things to check:
- Too rigid hold of handlebar.
- Out of dynamic balance (side to side) tires.
- Out of alignment wheels.
- Worn or frozen-links chain (chain latching).
- Lack of weights in the ends of the handlebars.
- Loose bearings: wheels, swing-arm and/or steering column.
- Deviations in pitch geometry: too tall front and or too low rear.
- Tall and/or heavy tail luggage.

Check this out:
http://www.ninja250forum.com/forums/...d.php?p=530268

[Devita818]

Thank you for the reply as far as tire problems we are assuming that's not it because the front tire is new and has less than 500 miles on it. And for balancing and alignment the shop that swapped the tires never balanced the tire so we ended up getting that done once again less than 500 miles ago.

Originally Posted by Motofool

Many things could be the origin of those wobbles, therefore your friend has a long list of things to check:
- Too rigid hold of handlebar.New handelbars and wobbles when no holding on to bars
- Out of dynamic balance (side to side) tires.Possible something to look into
- Out of alignment wheels.Alignment done less than 500 miles ago
- Worn or frozen-links chain (chain latching).Chain seems to be fine we oil and clean our crap
- Lack of weights in the ends of the handlebars.Wobbled with the stock bars and bar ends
- Loose bearings: wheels, swing-arm and/or steering column.Something to check into
- Deviations in pitch geometry: too tall front and or too low rear. The front seems to be sagging compared to my 2012
- Tall and/or heavy tail luggage.Only if your talking about his wife lol

Check this out:
https://ninja250forum.com/forums/sho...d.php?p=530268

[Alex]

https://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Front_End_Wobbles

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Devita818

Thank you for the reply as far as tire problems we are assuming that's not it because the front tire is new and has less than 500 miles on it. And for balancing and alignment the shop that swapped the tires never balanced the tire so we ended up getting that done once again less than 500 miles ago.

You are welcome

If you could lift the front tire and make it turn free in the air, it may start a little, almost imperceptible oscillation.

If that happens, the tire may be properly balanced radially (there is no heavy spot to rotation) but it is not balanced laterally (one side weights more than the other).

Placing balancing weights over one side of the rim can cause that reaction.
If so, you may want relocating that weight from one side to the opposite side until the oscillation disappears.

As the front tire is the air, grab the bottom of the forks and shake them back and forth, trying to notice play in the head's bearings.
Those are weak ball bearings and, if lubrication and periodic adjustments are neglected, some play develops and it only takes a little play to cause steering problems.

Do the same to detect play in the bearings of the wheels.
Those also require lubrication after a while, even when they are the sealed type.

If you could lift the rear tire and do the same, you could find the same situation and correct it.
While the tire is in the air, shake the swing-arm side to side and see if there is some play.
Those are needle bearings at the pivot of the arm and, if lubrication is neglected, some play develops and it only takes a little play to cause steering problems.

As the rear tire turns check that the chain keeps a constant slack.
If not, the chain has worn one segment more than others or some links are frozen and the constant tightening-slacking cycles induce steering problems as well.

[FBR_BDavis]

Just because a tire was balanced 500 miles ago does not mean it is still in balance.. The weight could have shifted on the rim, or could have come off altogether.. Always look at the most obvious and/or least expensive repair first and go from there..

[alex.s]