zx10 front end shimmy

jasonw1976 · 07-22-2012, 08:15 PM

so i am pretty new to the bike world and a lil help/input would be appreciated. i have a 1990 zx10 and i noticed today that at speeds over 40mph the front end starts to shimmy back and forth if i let the handle bars go (yes i know letting go of the bars is not a good idea, lol). i cant believe this is suppose to happen. someone told me i may need a fork brace, but i wanted to get some other input before getting one of these, that and i am not too sure where to source the brace, i found one for a concours.

what do ya'll think......
tia for any input

ralphlong · 07-22-2012, 09:04 PM

That's not good. A shimmy could be come a tank slapper which ain't fun and may end your days.

How is the front tire? Has the bike been in a wreck? Lift up on the handlebars. Is there play in the steering head bearings? Has anything been changed from stock?

Dodsfall · 07-22-2012, 09:22 PM

Check the front wheel for balance, the steering head bearings for proper fall-off, the forks for misalignment, and the tire for any irregularities in wear.

jasonw1976 · 07-22-2012, 09:59 PM

the tire looks good, i think there are wieghts on it will have to check in the morning along with the bearing play. as far as i know it hasnt been wrecked, i have only had it for a lil over a week and the po didnt mention it when i asked of any known issues, the bike has been lowered an 1" and it does have 1.25" risers on the bars........there is no evidence of shimmy when i am on the bars, even the lightest touch to the bars ends the shake immediately....

MirrorrorriM · 07-22-2012, 10:48 PM

Stay off that thing until you figure out what is wrong with it. I don't know much about suspension, but what I do know is that is an issue that can perpetually get worse.

i.e. - A motorcycle's tires are always striving to stay in-line and upright. Your shimmying is basically fighting against the natural design of the motorcycle and the natural design of the motorcycle is fighting to stop the shimmying. This could escalate into what ralphlong was talking about - a tank slapper, or speed wobble.

+ YouTube Video

jasonw1976 · 07-23-2012, 08:30 AM

ok, so the wheel has been ballanced at some point, the wheel bearings seem snug, and there is no apparent play in the steering bearings, BUT while i was looking everything over i noticed 2 bolt holes in the forks just above the front fender, so i went online to see if i can figure out whats suppose to be there, and guess what, its the spot where the factory steering stabilizer attaches.

so i guess i will be ordering one of them and keeping both hands on the bars until i do, i am not an aggressive driver anyhow, my wife and i just got the bikes and ride together with her parents.

of coarse any other input on the matter is still welcome, like i said i am pretty new to the motorcycle world.......

07-22-2012, 08:15 PM	#1
jasonw1976 Motorcyclist Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: penn yan, ny Posts: 8	zx10 front end shimmy so i am pretty new to the bike world and a lil help/input would be appreciated. i have a 1990 zx10 and i noticed today that at speeds over 40mph the front end starts to shimmy back and forth if i let the handle bars go (yes i know letting go of the bars is not a good idea, lol). i cant believe this is suppose to happen. someone told me i may need a fork brace, but i wanted to get some other input before getting one of these, that and i am not too sure where to source the brace, i found one for a concours. what do ya'll think...... tia for any input

07-22-2012, 09:04 PM	#2
ralphlong Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 1,311	That's not good. A shimmy could be come a tank slapper which ain't fun and may end your days. How is the front tire? Has the bike been in a wreck? Lift up on the handlebars. Is there play in the steering head bearings? Has anything been changed from stock? __________________ I will come up with something profound.

07-22-2012, 09:22 PM	#3
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,907	Check the front wheel for balance, the steering head bearings for proper fall-off, the forks for misalignment, and the tire for any irregularities in wear. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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07-22-2012, 09:59 PM	#4
jasonw1976 Motorcyclist Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: penn yan, ny Posts: 8	the tire looks good, i think there are wieghts on it will have to check in the morning along with the bearing play. as far as i know it hasnt been wrecked, i have only had it for a lil over a week and the po didnt mention it when i asked of any known issues, the bike has been lowered an 1" and it does have 1.25" risers on the bars........there is no evidence of shimmy when i am on the bars, even the lightest touch to the bars ends the shake immediately....

07-23-2012, 08:30 AM	#6
jasonw1976 Motorcyclist Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: penn yan, ny Posts: 8	ok, so the wheel has been ballanced at some point, the wheel bearings seem snug, and there is no apparent play in the steering bearings, BUT while i was looking everything over i noticed 2 bolt holes in the forks just above the front fender, so i went online to see if i can figure out whats suppose to be there, and guess what, its the spot where the factory steering stabilizer attaches. so i guess i will be ordering one of them and keeping both hands on the bars until i do, i am not an aggressive driver anyhow, my wife and i just got the bikes and ride together with her parents. of coarse any other input on the matter is still welcome, like i said i am pretty new to the motorcycle world.......