PebHmong Discussion Forum

Hobbies & Interests => Two Wheel Forum => Topic started by: Finest on July 15, 2011, 08:53:20 AM

Title: Head shake
Post by: Finest on July 15, 2011, 08:53:20 AM
Experienced it this morning on the commute into work.  Traffic wasn't too bad, but it backed up enough to ruin my ride and folks were parked in the left lane going really slow.   ::)  So since my exit was coming up soon, I finally moved over to the far right and the exit ramp is fairly long, probably about 1/4 mile long and clear.  So what did I do to vent my frustration?  Downshift to 4th and run it up to the shift light!   I didn't dare look down at my speedo, but you can pretty much guess what my speeds were @ 14k rpms in 4th.  Anyways, as I'm fully tucked in with the throttle pinned, the handlebars start moving and the bike wiggles a little.  I instantly ease off the throttle and get straighten up off the tank to help scrub some speed without upsetting the bike. 

Now I'm online looking for a stablizer.   :P 

Anyone experience a really bad tank slapper?  It was in a heat of the moment kind of thing, but I don't think I'll be doing this again anytime soon.  Most of the time I'm just cruising and enjoying the sun and open road.   8)
Title: Re: Head shake
Post by: Vangpao on January 03, 2012, 01:12:34 AM
Did you check your steering head bearings for proper movement?

Did you check to see if your front tire wasn't under-inflated?

Did you check to see if your front tire wasn't worn?

Did you check if your forks were aligned?


I'd look at those things first because they're free.
Unlike plinking down $300.00 + bills to make your slow speed steering sluggish.
Title: Re: Head shake
Post by: sinister357 on January 03, 2012, 04:17:58 AM
damn bro. you know your motorcycles, huh? ;D
Title: Re: Head shake
Post by: Finest on January 03, 2012, 12:36:28 PM
Did you check your steering head bearings for proper movement?

Did you check to see if your front tire wasn't under-inflated?

Did you check to see if your front tire wasn't worn?

Did you check if your forks were aligned?

Yes.  No excessive play.
Yes.  I check in the mornings before getting on.  This was also after about 30 mins at hwy speeds, so there was ample time to heat up.
Yes.  New tires, probably less than 1k miles on them.  I don't usually push them hard.
Yes.  Alignment is straight.

I'm going to attribute it to me just gripping the bars too tightly and inducing head shake.  I've since taken it up to these speeds on other occasions and learned to be more loose and no more wet boxers.   O0
Title: Re: Head shake
Post by: Vangpao on January 03, 2012, 06:21:32 PM
Okey-dokey.

 O0
Title: Re: Head shake
Post by: Vangpao on January 03, 2012, 06:24:12 PM
damn bro. you know your motorcycles, huh? ;D

I just try to be informed.

Who knows when any of us will need to access said knowledge when a cager pulls out into traffic in front of us without doing a proper head check.