Death wobble and the dark side?

blackdogbrian · 09-24-2011, 12:58 AM

Evening all,

I've been doing a bit of research hunting around the various nomad forums on the topic of death wobble. I experienced an unfortunate one last month that I managed to walk away from, but now I have to fix the bike.

It had been my frist read ride (ie highway speeds) with the darkside mounted (and new front rubber). I have a list of things I need to check on my bike, starting wth the front stearing nut and bearings....

but...

In reviewing the comments on this forum, I'm not sure but I think I've noticed more examples of it with darkside tires.....
not that the dark side causes the wobble, (mine was present before) but that the darkside sometimes tends to amplify it.

I'm not sure if it's appropriate to put an actual poll, but
if you have been in a near miss tank slap / wobble, or went down as a result - Did you have a CT on the back?

Thanks folks,
B.

REDWIND · 09-24-2011, 05:52 AM

After going dark I did experience a wobble.
It was in the rear end not the front.
A couple adjustments of air pressure now tracking is true.

deacon · 09-24-2011, 09:38 AM

I've not experienced a wobble and I have the GYTT on the rear (32psi). Redwind, what are u running on the rear and what pressure are you using?

AlabamaNomadRider · 09-24-2011, 09:45 AM

It will be interesting to see how this turns out. I am pretty sure that Ringadingh had a ct on his bike when he wrecked a few months back. I remember his wreck was due to the death wobble.

recumbentbob · 09-24-2011, 09:51 AM

I had a wobble after first going to a car tire. Not a death wobble but enough to make me pucker at 70 MPH.

Tightened the headset bearings and no more wobble.

**markclark57** · 09-24-2011, 09:54 AM

I've had several wobbles on my Nomad. The most and the worst were on the stock tires at normal pressure. I now run a 205/60-16 GYTT. Still wobbles but not as bad.

I went down on a tank slapper decades ago (different bike). While recovering I met a flat track racer who told me to counter steer out of the wobble. Not enough to change lanes, just enough to change the weight, frame, steering balance. It has worked for me, but I haven't heard anyone else recommend that maneuver before or since.

AlabamaNomadRider · 09-24-2011, 10:23 AM

Guess I am fortunate in that my Nomad has never had any type of wobble.

macmac · 09-24-2011, 11:41 AM

Twice with a new SP 5000 and it was new new then. Both times I had acclerated hard to around 90 MPH of the un-corrected speedo, and was actively slowing since I had caught up to a car ahead of me. That was in the first week with a tire not at the proper psi and or broken in.

At the time I was running 40 psi cold in the tire, and now run 35 psi. Lower than that tracks better, but eats MPG's.

Both wobbles were mild, and since then 0 wobbles.

blowndodge · 09-24-2011, 12:16 PM

I've had no death wobble with my truck tire in 17K miles. I did the steering head at the same time and re-lubed and tighten the head tighter than the book (mis-print I believe) to the point than the bars wont fall by themselves with the bike lifted but just by barely touching them they'll move. I've had the throttle lock on took my hands off for a mile and it tracks like a freight train even on a lumpy highway. I wouldn't suspect the CT causing it.

**markclark57** · 09-24-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider

Guess I am fortunate in that my Nomad has never had any type of wobble.

On another thread you mentioned that you don't "push" the limits. That could be a why.
The only times I've ever gotten a wobble out of the Nomad was a 75 mph + on long sweeping turns.

**markclark57** · 09-24-2011, 01:51 PM

BD, I'll try your suggestion on the adjustment too.

blowndodge · 09-24-2011, 01:54 PM

Mark I've had mine up to 100 and on the way to the Redwoods those long 65mph sweepers on the 101 I took a few times at 80 and stable as can be!

**Kawhead** · 09-24-2011, 02:03 PM

I got that death wobble so bad one time my depressing life flashed before my eyes. and I could see the gates of hell was yawning at me. All of my in-laws were down there grinning and waving

So, I started living right and I put 15 ft lbs on my steering nut and got rid of the wicked death wobble.

**coacha** · 09-24-2011, 02:28 PM

I knew I could count on you to lighten the mood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kawhead

I got that death wobble so bad one time my depressing life flashed before my eyes. and I could see the gates of hell was yawning at me. All of my in-laws were down there grinning and waving

So, I started living right and I put 15 ft lbs on my steering nut and got rid of the wicked death wobble.

replay13 · 09-24-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kawhead

I got that death wobble so bad one time my depressing life flashed before my eyes. and I could see the gates of hell was yawning at me. All of my in-laws were down there grinning and waving

So, I started living right and I put 15 ft lbs on my steering nut and got rid of the wicked death wobble.

With my luck the in-laws would drink all the beer before I got there!

09-24-2011, 12:58 AM	#1
blackdogbrian Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton Canada Posts: 384	Death wobble and the dark side? Evening all, I've been doing a bit of research hunting around the various nomad forums on the topic of death wobble. I experienced an unfortunate one last month that I managed to walk away from, but now I have to fix the bike. It had been my frist read ride (ie highway speeds) with the darkside mounted (and new front rubber). I have a list of things I need to check on my bike, starting wth the front stearing nut and bearings.... but... In reviewing the comments on this forum, I'm not sure but I think I've noticed more examples of it with darkside tires..... not that the dark side causes the wobble, (mine was present before) but that the darkside sometimes tends to amplify it. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to put an actual poll, but if you have been in a near miss tank slap / wobble, or went down as a result - Did you have a CT on the back? Thanks folks, B. __________________ Cheers, Brian 2004 1500fi - Blue and Grey Ultra Nomad - In progress CMC#12065 - Edmonton Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-24-2011, 05:52 AM	#2
REDWIND Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mebane,nc Posts: 84	After going dark I did experience a wobble. It was in the rear end not the front. A couple adjustments of air pressure now tracking is true. __________________ who you learn from depends on who is willing to teach Life Is Brief & Time Is A Thief
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09-24-2011, 09:51 AM	#5
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	I had a wobble after first going to a car tire. Not a death wobble but enough to make me pucker at 70 MPH. Tightened the headset bearings and no more wobble. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-24-2011, 09:54 AM	#6
markclark57 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,108	I've had several wobbles on my Nomad. The most and the worst were on the stock tires at normal pressure. I now run a 205/60-16 GYTT. Still wobbles but not as bad. I went down on a tank slapper decades ago (different bike). While recovering I met a flat track racer who told me to counter steer out of the wobble. Not enough to change lanes, just enough to change the weight, frame, steering balance. It has worked for me, but I haven't heard anyone else recommend that maneuver before or since. __________________ 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic "George III" (Patricia's) 2006 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Grace" (Mark's) Mark Clark VBA #1619 TaibhseDaid@Gmail.Com "Irish" @ Maricopa County Chapter of B.A.C.A. Phoenix, AZ
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09-24-2011, 11:41 AM	#8
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Twice with a new SP 5000 and it was new new then. Both times I had acclerated hard to around 90 MPH of the un-corrected speedo, and was actively slowing since I had caught up to a car ahead of me. That was in the first week with a tire not at the proper psi and or broken in. At the time I was running 40 psi cold in the tire, and now run 35 psi. Lower than that tracks better, but eats MPG's. Both wobbles were mild, and since then 0 wobbles. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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09-24-2011, 09:38 AM	#3
deacon Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spencorport, NY Posts: 325	I've not experienced a wobble and I have the GYTT on the rear (32psi). Redwind, what are u running on the rear and what pressure are you using?
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09-24-2011, 09:45 AM	#4
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	It will be interesting to see how this turns out. I am pretty sure that Ringadingh had a ct on his bike when he wrecked a few months back. I remember his wreck was due to the death wobble.
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09-24-2011, 10:23 AM	#7
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Guess I am fortunate in that my Nomad has never had any type of wobble.
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09-24-2011, 12:16 PM	#9
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	I've had no death wobble with my truck tire in 17K miles. I did the steering head at the same time and re-lubed and tighten the head tighter than the book (mis-print I believe) to the point than the bars wont fall by themselves with the bike lifted but just by barely touching them they'll move. I've had the throttle lock on took my hands off for a mile and it tracks like a freight train even on a lumpy highway. I wouldn't suspect the CT causing it. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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09-24-2011, 01:51 PM	#11
markclark57 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,108	BD, I'll try your suggestion on the adjustment too. __________________ 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic "George III" (Patricia's) 2006 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Grace" (Mark's) Mark Clark VBA #1619 TaibhseDaid@Gmail.Com "Irish" @ Maricopa County Chapter of B.A.C.A. Phoenix, AZ
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09-24-2011, 01:54 PM	#12
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Mark I've had mine up to 100 and on the way to the Redwoods those long 65mph sweepers on the 101 I took a few times at 80 and stable as can be! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

09-24-2011, 02:03 PM	#13
Kawhead Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 6th Floor up at the The Nervous Hospital up in East Central State, NC Posts: 7,454	I got that death wobble so bad one time my depressing life flashed before my eyes. and I could see the gates of hell was yawning at me. All of my in-laws were down there grinning and waving So, I started living right and I put 15 ft lbs on my steering nut and got rid of the wicked death wobble.
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