Our GL1800 had a wobble from the time I picked it up (new). After a few miles I checked tire pressure ("look for simple fixes first"), front was only about 24 psi. When fully inflated, I still had a wobble. I have lived with it for 55g miles.
When I read the class action law suit, I was very interested in the possible solution being tapered steering bearings.
Our local MI CHROME shop in Richmond, MI was having a special so I took our bike down late last week and had the bearings replaced ($165 total cost). Nothing else was done and the wobble is GONE! They have replaced about 7 sets recently and all but one totally eliminated the wobble. I'm impressed.
On my ride to Michigan Chrome, I tested my wobble. It probably would have crashed without putting my hands back on the grips between 40 and 50. It was noticable at 60 and even under 40, but not what I would call the tank slapper wobbel I would almost always get between 40 and 50.
With my new tapered bearings, my first test was getting up to 60 mph removing my hands and letting it decel to about 30. NO WOBBLE. Then, I set the cruise at 60, my hands off the handlebars, tapped the handlebar to see if I could get it to wobble. NONE. With the cruise set at 60 mph, I then would drop the cruise a little at a time until only going 30 mph, each time tapping the handlebars to see if I could get it to wobble. NONE AT ANY SPEED.
My wobble was eliminated by tapered wheel bearings and I consider the $165 well spent money. Thanks Beth, Bob & Jim for your Fall Special.
When I read the class action law suit, I was very interested in the possible solution being tapered steering bearings.
Our local MI CHROME shop in Richmond, MI was having a special so I took our bike down late last week and had the bearings replaced ($165 total cost). Nothing else was done and the wobble is GONE! They have replaced about 7 sets recently and all but one totally eliminated the wobble. I'm impressed.
On my ride to Michigan Chrome, I tested my wobble. It probably would have crashed without putting my hands back on the grips between 40 and 50. It was noticable at 60 and even under 40, but not what I would call the tank slapper wobbel I would almost always get between 40 and 50.
With my new tapered bearings, my first test was getting up to 60 mph removing my hands and letting it decel to about 30. NO WOBBLE. Then, I set the cruise at 60, my hands off the handlebars, tapped the handlebar to see if I could get it to wobble. NONE. With the cruise set at 60 mph, I then would drop the cruise a little at a time until only going 30 mph, each time tapping the handlebars to see if I could get it to wobble. NONE AT ANY SPEED.
My wobble was eliminated by tapered wheel bearings and I consider the $165 well spent money. Thanks Beth, Bob & Jim for your Fall Special.
