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Making a Roux and steering wobble

FedeleMotoGuzzi

FedeleMotoGuzzi

Tuned and Synch'ed
GT di Razza Pura
Joined
Dec 22, 2021
Messages
87
Location
Southeast Texas
Got the oil cleaned up as best I could after my stupid move of forgetting to connect the frame vent line. What an oily mess! Cleaning up every thing was as bad as trying to get a sticky booger off your finger. It’s as clean as I was willing to clean it and will let any missed residual burn off!

I’m still stuck with this “highway speed” wobble. It’s bad enough, I won’t let my wife on it until I figure it out. Read through this and other forums looking for suggestions. Have gone through tire pressures, head bearing torque, adjusted steering damper, with/without steering damper (albeit not a new damper), raised forks 0.5”, 0.75” and even tried a full inch. Same exact results over the 4 heights. Settled on 5/8” for now. Handles the curves great at this height. Tomorrow I’ll take the little faring off and see if that makes a difference. If the wobble goes away without the faring, I can’t imagine “touring” without a screen.

This evening while stirring my roux, i concluded that I won’t put much more time into this bike. Sounds absolutely awesome, tons of power, love riding in the curves with my feet on the rear pegs, but I’m chasing after lighter bike weight for touring and forcing myself to make THIS bike work. Making a roux gives a person a good 45 minutes of time to “think”. All I thought about was this dang steering wobble and how it might derail my light two up touring bike plans. All is not lost, I’ll move on and try the 85TT if this doesn’t work out.

IMG_9149.png IMG_8265.jpeg
 
If you have a center stand, see if you have side to side play of the rear wheel. Check the adjustment of the swing arm pins. They should be just snug, and an equal length exposed. You need to remove the big chromed nut then you will have access to the pins. If all frame adjustments are good, the wobble can be caused by the tires. What make and how old are they?
 
Thanks for always replying and the suggestions. Very helpful. It does have a center stand, so I’ll add those things to the next items to check. Today is already planned out, but I’m on vacation for a while and will get to those soon. Can’t remember off the top of my head what tires, but they are what Todd recommended. I balanced and installed them 24Aug, so two weeks old. I’ll update the specs after I go over to the shop.
 
As per John above, my Jackal's weave got sorted after checking swing arm bearings (I actually got that advice from him back then).
A steering damper is a band-aid, but can be nice on an otherwise "solid" bike. Some throw it out. Mine was a friction damper and wore out over time.
 
I know a few things about the Tonti, but I'm most often ignored, though I have decades of professional experience and 500k+ miles in this arena... But I'll waste my time again since you are a pure blood Guzzisti here. ;)
Tonti's inherently tend to head-shake at speed, due to their geometry, compounded by poor suspension/set up and tires. I don't know what you weigh, but the suspension, even when new, was abysmal. '02+ Tonti should ALL have 14.0" shocks, and lowered forks. Once done, steering damper not needed; It's a band-aid from the factory to help a problem they created. None of the older Tontis had them.
Aside from the valid points mentioned above, and due to the age of the bike (always visually check the steering head bearings simply due to age).
 
MotoGuzziFan said:
Your description would indicate that you do not have the front wheel balanced properly.

If you used more than 4 each 1/4oz weights, they need to be divided equally on each side of the wheel otherwise you will have an induced wobble.
Click to expand...
Great suggestion. Removed and checked the balance after the first ride. I am satisfied with the wheels, spokes and balance.
 
GTM® said:
I know a few things about the Tonti, but I'm most often ignored, though I have decades of professional experience and 500k+ miles in this arena... But I'll waste my time again since you are a pure blood Guzzisti here. ;)
Tonti's inherently tend to head-shake at speed, due to their geometry, compounded by poor suspension/set up and tires. I don't know what you weigh, but the suspension, even when new, was abysmal. '02+ Tonti should ALL have 14.0" shocks, and lowered forks. Once done, steering damper not needed; It's a band-aid from the factory to help a problem they created. None of the older Tontis had them.
Aside from the valid points mentioned above, and due to the age of the bike (always visually check the steering head bearings simply due to age).
Click to expand...
Always appreciate your support. You have been instrumental with your vast knowledge and experience along with many others on here. “I” will never let yours or other’s abilities go ignored! Sometime over the next few days, I’ll go over these items. Thank you again!
 
FedeleMotoGuzzi said:
Always appreciate your support. You have been instrumental with your vast knowledge and experience along with many others on here. “I” will never let yours or other’s abilities go ignored! Sometime over the next few days, I’ll go over these items. Thank you again!
Click to expand...
Very welcome. Your EV looks to be super clean and well kept, however it's still a semi-resto project due to it's age.
On my link below, the second photo is when I got it full sorted; One hand, one finger on the grip at any speed, with the foot pegs ground down to ~1" long (photos long lost). Steering damper when in the junk box. Shown was with Dunlop's amazing D205P(olice) 110/70R-18 front tire was a radial (well tested run-flat IMO). Wish they still made it. You're lucky the 110/80ZR-18 front is now made, along with your stock 150/70 rear. Many weren't so fortunate when these bikes were new-ish.

www.guzzitech.com

Todd's Jackal Evolution

The life of Todd's Jackal, bought new in September 1999 @ North River Motors in Salem, MA. Shown brand new, day of purchase above Lake Winnipesaukee, NH Above Lake Elsinore, CA circa 2002 Modded with: - Bassa/EV adj.forks - revalved/sprung by...
www.guzzitech.com www.guzzitech.com
 
GTM® said:
Very welcome. Your EV looks to be super clean and well kept, however it's still a semi-resto project due to it's age.
On my link below, the second photo is when I got it full sorted; One hand, one finger on the grip at any speed, with the foot pegs ground down to ~1" long (photos long lost). Steering damper when in the junk box. Shown was with Dunlop's amazing D205P(olice) 110/70R-18 front tire was a radial (well tested run-flat IMO). Wish they still made it. You're lucky the 110/80ZR-18 front is now made, along with your stock 150/70 rear. Many weren't so fortunate when these bikes were new-ish.

www.guzzitech.com

Todd's Jackal Evolution

The life of Todd's Jackal, bought new in September 1999 @ North River Motors in Salem, MA. Shown brand new, day of purchase above Lake Winnipesaukee, NH Above Lake Elsinore, CA circa 2002 Modded with: - Bassa/EV adj.forks - revalved/sprung by...
www.guzzitech.com www.guzzitech.com
Click to expand...
Back when I joined and was sorting through my V7 850 Special, I studied your build. I was interested in all of it, but studied your foot peg “position”. I realize all of our bodies weights, builds and riding styles are different, but the riding/peg position on your build is something I prefer. As I said above, my feet tend to end up on the passenger pegs when I’m in 3rd/4th leaning through the twistiest. Just feels good. Similar to my 850. My older slim 185 build fits the bike well. Love your builds!
 
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