1999 Ninja 250r - When riding front wobbles/feels loose

[99Ninja]

Hi everyone, first post here.

I recently purchased my first motorcycle about two months ago. It is a 1999 green Ninja 250r. I am having a blast riding it and performing basic maintenance. Recently I have noticed when traveling at least 20mph through 55mph (usually dont go much faster than that around town) the front end sometimes will have a quick spasm. It's hard to explain, let me try do be more descriptive.

Here is an example, I have noticed when doing roughly 25mph and up, if you press hard on the turn signal off button, the force from the press will transfer through the handlebars and you will feel the bike want to dip a little to the left. Randomly, when riding straight I get these spasms where the front end for split second feels like something is loose and the bikes wants to vear left or right. It's enough to scare me when riding. It is really hard to explain but it is feeling similar to like I said previously when you press hard on the turn signal off button. I understand the reasoning for that, as well as basic counter steering to turn.

I have felt the issue for the past week and at first I thought it was just me imagining it, the wind, or just a dip in the road I didnt see. I have been feeling it every ride.

To remedy the issue I have tried:

* Lowering tire PSI from 32 in the front and 36 in the rear to 30 in the front and 34 in the rear.

* Applying all my weight to the front and rear of the bike to try to replicate the issue. I was not able to.

* Double check all the obvious bolts (Not the large one between the handlebars though) and tire condition.

Things to know:

* Bike has been dumped by previous owner. The front fender is cracked on both sides near the spedometer. Also the wind screen is a tad bit bent on one side because of this.

* Tires are near new and have plenty of life left.

* Mileage = ~ 7500

Can anyone think of what I can do next? I looked into the steering head bearings on the ninja 250 wiki, but the instructions to tighten them were vague and I couldn't figure it out. Any help would be greatly appreciative! If you do not understand my description of the issue, I can do my best to re-word it.

[jkv45]

Sit on the bike and grab the front brake tightly. Push the bike forward and back - do you feel a clicking, clunking, or anything usual? http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Steerin...ng_replacement

Check the torque on the front axle - http://faq.ninja250.org/torque/ex250f/. If you can get the front wheel off the ground, you could grab the wheel and twist quickly side-to-side to see if you can feel any play in the bearings.

You could also loosen the bolts on the triple clamps and re-center the wheel, then re-torque everything - http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/I_need_...nd_front_wheel

[Ninjinsky]

Check the U shaped fork brace under the mudguard is tight (4 bolts)
If the fender is cracked the steel brace may well be loosened (sp?)
Similar to part 35009 in this diagram, a 4 bolt U plate
http://cdn.partzilla.com/diagram/kaw...9/0208/E-9.png

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by 99Ninja

......Can anyone think of what I can do next? I looked into the steering head bearings on the ninja 250 wiki, but the instructions to tighten them were vague and I couldn't figure it out. Any help would be greatly appreciative! If you do not understand my description of the issue, I can do my best to re-word it.

Welcome !!!

Please, take a look at these:
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=161030

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/show...ghlight=wooble

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/show...t=tank+slapper

[cuong-nutz]

Check to see if your forks are twisted in the triple clamps.