Slow speed wobble, GL1500.

If it goes away when the tyre warms up, I would say the tyre is the problem.

What is the conditions of the back tire?

Rear tire.

newday777 said:

What is the conditions of the back tire?

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The rear tire has about 25% wear also, but does have a little "cupping" and has always "whined" in the curves since I've owned the machine. (Sept. 2011.) It had 68,000 when I bought it and the tires really don't look or measure much different now. (now 74,000)
I had a similar problem with my 03 VTX, but it would wobble only at 45 MPH and did it all of the time. I had the steering nut re-torqued and it has been fine ever since.
I'm going to check that rear tire again and the front one too. Maybe I'm overlooking something.

What is the manufacturing date code on these tires?

Are there balancing beads in these tires? I have read in some cases they clump together. Some of the beads have static to them. If they stick together rather than move freely that could give the hopping wobble feeling on "first acceleration" especially if there is moisture in the tires from the filling pump and cold tires.

I had the same wobble on my 96 1500. The front tire was cupped so I replaced it and installed ceramic beads. No more wabble at any speed

It's only in the AM or "first half" of the daily round trip, not at the start of the return "second half" huh? Perhaps it's just the bike sensing your sleepiness still and waking you up the best way it knows? Or maybe it's because that's when the tire is it's coolest and at it's lowest inflation?


:waving:

I'd say inspect the preload on the steering head bearing. It might help to snug it up a bit.

CrystalPistol said:

It's only in the AM or "first half" of the daily round trip, not at the start of the return "second half" huh? Perhaps it's just the bike sensing your sleepiness still and waking you up the best way it knows? Or maybe it's because that's when the tire is it's coolest and at it's lowest inflation?


:waving:

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You got a good point there...LOL...It does make sense though. I'm waiting for it to warm up a little this morning; "39 degrees" to put it on the center stand and inspect things closer.
Thanks for all of the input. If something obvious is found, I'll post the findings.

39 degrees, are you sure your not shivering?

JamesPal said:

39 degrees, are you sure your not shivering?

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I last rode to work this past Thursday at 7 AM, 59 degrees...nice; Friday drove the wife's car because of rain...wanted to ride this morning, but changed my mind because I didn't want to shiver. :grin:

I had taken everything off the tripple tree to get at the adjusting nut/tab washer, and both the locknut and adjusting nut was finger tight. I have read other posts about the 1500 head bearing nuts being loose. After properly setting the pre-load(4-6 pounds of pull), I installed a SuperBrace, and flushed the forks,threw in some CounterAct beads, and it has never done it again. jimsjinx

Norm
What are your tire pressures at?
What are the tire date codes on your tires?