Classic to Nomad

[redjay]

Originally Posted by Jtpntx

Well crap. So I purchased brand new OEM lowers from ebay. I also got a recurv windshield from longrides.com and put them both on today.

Got it out on the road and the buffeting is much better. However something isn't right. In fact not good.

Not a windy day really. I got to about 70 and seemed fine. At 75mph the front end started to wobble. If I hadn't throttled down immediately I think would have got out of control.
That sucks.

I think it's the lowers but maybe a combo of lowers, aftermarket faring and curved windshield. Either way not a good thing.

Did it wobble at 75mph before the mods ?
Usually worn stem bearings are apparent at lower speeds than 75mph and usually only when you take your hands off the bars.

Take the lowers off and take it for another ride and do a process of elimination until you find what is causing the wobble.

[Jtpntx]

Never before and I took a pretty long ride just last week and I had to keep pace with a friends on his Victory cruiser.
The only other time it's happened was a little while back I was going fairly slow and took my hands off the bars. At the time I just thought maybe the weight of the faring assembly and audio means you don't do that.

I'm going to get it on a jack maybe this weekend and check out the bearings. I think I'd rather it be that than something else.

[Jllm02199]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

Mine did that, It was the Stem Bearings. May be worth it to get another opinion though.

I agree, tighten the stem bearings.

[Jtpntx]

lol, yeah and after a little reading on the subject I realize how common this issue is. Guess I'm pretty new to this so live and learn.

[VulcanE]

I don't think it is the fairing or lowers. Mine has a Premeux fairing, and some oversized lowers, and at any speed, I can take my hands off the bars, and it is solid.(now). Mine did do that, and I replaced the stem bearings and races, and went by torque specs for a 1500 (14 ft lbs) and not a 1600 (63 in lbs), both use the same bearings.

[DragonLady58]

Yep, steering bearings, those big ole wings hanging off on the side of the forks amplify it. Especially on windy/gusty rides passing by groups of trees that will give you a irregular airflow across the front of the bike....
Another thing, loose steering bearings will amplify the squirrelyness of rain grooves in the roads/bridges, and the grating on bridges....will make the bike feel that theres a wet noodle in the middle of the frame....same for worn/wrong tires, and loose wheel bearings....

[Jtpntx]

All good info thanks guys.
Im hoping it turns out to be needing only an adjustment

[MAS Tequila]

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

Yep, steering bearings, those big ole wings hanging off on the side of the forks amplify it. Especially on windy/gusty rides passing by groups of trees that will give you a irregular airflow across the front of the bike....
Another thing, loose steering bearings will amplify the squirrelyness of rain grooves in the roads/bridges, and the grating on bridges....will make the bike feel that theres a wet noodle in the middle of the frame....same for worn/wrong tires, and loose wheel bearings....

And drawbridges...

Those metal grates can be a lot of fun.

MT

[Rasta]

Originally Posted by Jllm02199

I agree, tighten the stem bearings.

Me three. Tightened mine on both Nomads and I can let go at about any speed. A lot people jump ahead and replace them but not necessary half the time.

[Joedaddy]

Originally Posted by Jtpntx

Here's my other DIY part of the bike. The cost of faring brackets plus no guarantee they worked for a classic, I decided to get mine from Lowes. Here's a pic of it roughed in. Seems to work but once it's in that's it. No adjusting. So I lined it up best I could before bolting it on.

I need to fab some brackets for my 01 classic - SG conversion. What are those?

[Jtpntx]

They are called pipe hangers.
I used 1 1/2 and 1 1/4 i think.

I had to grind them down quite a bit on the side.
Then i coated the inside with plastidip.

The have a female threaded socket on the side and i just cut a bolt to make a threaded dowel type thing.
Works great looks ok and are less that 2 bucks each.

[Jtpntx]

I checked mine today. Barley touch the handle bars and it steers from center to hard stop on both side with a little bounce.
I couldnt budge the forks. Pulled back and forth as hard as i could and theres no movement at all.

Also nothing that would make me think the race is worn or grooved.

So guess ill reverse my recent add ons.

[thonly1]

Nice job !

Man, I thought I got a good deal back in 09 when I got the bags and all hardware but the chrome rail covers for $200.

Regards,
Trent