High speed wobble

[2valve]

Hi Rob, the bearings do have a shoulder to sit on as such but i thought that there was enough room to walk the bearing off ? I did have a tool made up out of a old high quality long screw driver (screw driver head cut clean off) and with a neat/square shoulder cut into the shank of it to get the the outer race with the step section used . Have been watching a you tube how to remove BMW head bearing out of curioustity for new tools etc on the market and was amazed to see that they where using a cold chisel and grinder to remove the old lower bearing off the lower triple clamp , its much easier to just press the steering stem through the lower triple clamp and the bearing and the splash ring just fall off, just make sure you mark the steering stem and lower triple clamp so the steering lock still works. But this is my way of doing things.

[Rob]

...its much easier to just press the steering stem through the lower triple clamp and the bearing and the splash ring just fall off, just make sure you mark the steering stem and lower triple clamp so the steering lock still works. But this is my way of doing things.

That sounds like creating extra work, to me. But as long as you are happy, I am happy.

[2valve]

Yes mate im happy BUT only if your happy !. Whats the process that you use with removing the lower bearing off the steering stem.

[Rob]

Yes mate im happy BUT only if your happy !. Whats the process that you use with removing the lower bearing off the steering stem.

A dremel-type tool. The first thing to do after removing as much grease as possible, is to cut the roller cage (easy) and get the bearings out of the way.
Then you start on the inner race. Yes, you will destroy the dust shield, but they are cheap. You want to be careful not to cut the stem too much. A few scratches won't hurt.

And you know how precarious MY happiness is. Please don't use that as a guideline!

[2valve]

Yes mate im happy BUT only if your happy !.

And you know how precarious MY happiness is. Please don't use that as a guideline!

Im so happy that your happy .
Have a go at my way next time your doing the bearings and see what you think "BUT " only if it doesnt make you sad . This is also how the retired classic bike mechanic that i mentioned in an earlier post changed the bearings on my /6 when it had the high speed wobble. The steering stem was out of the lower triple clamp in literally seconds, quick clean of the lower triple clamp and the steering stem and start to re-assemble. But PLEASE if you ever try this way please be HAPPY when doing the job, it would make me sad if your not HAPPY !. Actually the same gentlemen helped me instal the new steering and swingarm bearings on the R90S. He could also tune the BM just by ear it was so cool to watch , he really cared about his workmanship re- old school.
How is Brad going with the problem ? Found the cause of the shake ?. We supposed to be helping him solve the problem

[bbelk]

How is Brad going with the problem ? Found the cause of the shake ?. We supposed to be helping him solve the problem

Front and back tires are new, round, and balanced. I adjusted 1/16th" of side to side play out of the swing arm. I have removed the faring and will take it to the local Airhead guy tomorrow to get the steering bearings replaced (because that will make me happy). I have not run any tests yet, so I will never know for sure what caused the wobble, but it will be ok with me if it just goes away.

[bbelk]

Have you re-checked the balance of the wheel? I'd suspect that since the dot was 180 from the stem and considerable lead used.

Everything else needed fixing anyway so I don't feel bad about doing it. If the wobble remains after the new steering bearings, I will remount the front tire. If that doesn't work, I might have to get a water cooled R1200.

[2valve]

Hi Brad, as ive said earlier the steering head bearing on my old /6 felt Ok to me and also to the classic bike mechanic, but when changed out it fixed the problem straightaway no more high speed wobble , heres hoping that it should fix your problem. If not please forward bike to me and then you can purchase the R12. Thank you.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

The direction of this conversation has been troubling me. The problem is that I don't know enough to make definitive statements. But my limited experience with wobble and bad steering head bearings doesn't agree with what I see as the thrust of this thread.

The steering head bearings on my 92RT were suspect the first time I seriously rode the bike. Simply, the bike didn't feel right in a turn. It seemed like I had to correct the pressure on the handlebars off and on to maintain the radius I wanted to follow. The bike also didn't 'want' to go straight with my hands off the handlebars. I deduced that I must have 'notched' steering head bearings or grease that had aged into a semi-solid state. What I didn't experience was the steering stem rocking fore and aft during a hard stop. Those symptoms I understand to be either notched or loose steering head bearings. The 'loose' bearing symptoms I have experienced on other occasions when upon hard braking I could see or feel with my fingers resting on the steering head tube and the triple tree, the actual rocking of the steering stem.

"Notched" or worn bearings could also be loose bearings, but the main symptom was the bike not wanting to go straight or need helping pressure on the handlebar during a turn. What it did was to take most of the fun out of making turns.

I suppose 'loose' bearings could promote wobble. (Editing: And too-tight bearings I would definitely associate with weave.)

My not well thunk thoughts for whatever they're worth.

Ken

[Duane Ausherman]

I would imagine that most here have read my article on wobbles and testing. http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/wobbles.htm
It is full of caution and mention of danger.
One post asked me what I thought. Because of the reasons shown in my article, I am out of this discussion.

I will say that many of what I am reading as suggestions are either not important, or in the wrong order. I am not sure that I would do the necessary testing of a wobble today, I am just too old.

This article is related to this issue. http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/citybike.htm