From: "whitez" Sometimes after a long high speed run, I like to let go of the handlebars and coast towards the tool booth. Then I would sit up, stretch out and crack my knuckles. That is my way of saying, "Yeah, I really blew that Porsche away." The other week, the front end started to wobble and I quickly grabbed the handlebars before ending up into a tank banger. Now it seems to happen often. I checked the tire pressure and the front wheel balance. I did not see anything wrong there. Could it be because of the swing arm system? Has anyone had that experience? Thanks. John Berard ---------------------------------------------------- My bike is solid like a rock. For those who have not tried the Metzler MEZ1's try them. I went to the 180/55 rear and the 120/70 front, big difference on the front. So much so that I had trouble getting used to it for the first few stops. (The bike used to go straight no matter what, now the front wheel seems to get deflected easier.) No big deal, and well worth the added "flickability" and easier turning. In the process of changing the back wheel I checked my swingarm for play side to side. PROBLEM!!!! If feels to me to have about a 1/16-1/8" of play. I can actually see the swingarm move. This was checked with the wheel off the bike, with the wheel on the bike there is no movement (that I could tell, course I didn't want to push hard enough to push the bike over.) Any thoughts? Anyone had to replace their swingarm bearings?? LouisTweed ---------------------------------------------------- Check the threads on your rear axle & nut to see if they aren't screwed up & keeping the nut from torqueing down on the swingarm! I had the same problem & was about to see about replacing the arm after replacing the bearings with no improvement when I came upon this by accident! I replaced the axle & nut & no more side to side play. It's like it was never there! Bob Taylor ---------------------------------------------------- From: "Douglas L. McLeod" Typically it is due to front tire "cupping"... another way of saying tire ware.... look closly at your front tire and run you hand over the tire just off center. You'll probably notice uneven tire ware... ie "cupping" .. Change your tire.. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Bobgts2@aol.com i had the same problem with the metzler mez tires. when i tried the bridgestone bt57 the problem dissappeared . i still like the mez tires better for stick and handeling. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Louis Tweed Odd, I just switched to the Metzler MEZ1's and don't have any problems so far. I can go down the road at 90, release the bars and decelerate to about 40 without touching the bars again and stay in a straight line. I am not trying to brag, just that I think there may be a problem, or maybe my bike is special :) Just kidding. My MEZ's are brand new so I will let you know how they are working out after I get back from lake George. Then the tires will have about 1500 miles on them. ---------------------------------------------------- From: CubbyS@webtv.net (Bob Smith) this is a normal problem with some bikes ,tires ,stature of rider stature,tire press,rubber compound "tire hardness",rake-spindle angle ,ect---keep your paws on the grips! it only takes minute dampening less than oz. strength to prevent this,BTW--a Harley ---wore out to the bone won't wiggle ,ever. I don't condone this, but! I ride 5 bikes they all have there own personalities, as long as nothing is loose or worn, ride it like 'John Wayne" ENJOY IT. smitty ---------------------------------------------------- From: "Kevin & Michele Harrington" I've got a wobble on other bikes when the back tire starts to wear a flat spot in the center. I think it leads to a decrease in directional stability of the back end which manifesets itself as a front end wobble, similar to loose swingarm bearings. Check both!! ---------------------------------------------------- From: "E.A. McClellan" You know gang, it's good to hear stuff like this from the group. Good sensible advice and observations. I had an old basket case of a KZ that suffered from a bad case of the wobbles. They really lessened when I learned how to align the rear wheel with the front. They were almost gone when I learned to adjust the steering-head bearings. When I adjusted the rear-swingarm bearings, my wobble woes disappeared. My point? The GTS is a wonderful machine, but it's not magical. It needs many of the same adjustments as other machines. While tires may affect the degree to which these problems manifest themselves, it doesn't mean the tires are the cause of the problem or the fix. As you may have noticed, we have two sets of swingarm bearings, alignment adjustments to be made at the front and the rear, and as someone pointed out we have something of a steering head that needs attention too. So, don't go throwing out good tires or crying foul on wobble-enhancing tires-- it probably just means that they are responsive to input. Incidentally, cupping of the tires while possibly caused by wheel imbalance at the start, is usually indicative of improper adjustments of the shocks. My old 920 used to chew up the front until I switched springs & fork oil. Cars have this problem too. Our long wheelbase and steep steering geometry is not a typical combination, so it shouldn't be surprising that the GTS is atypically sensitive to adjustments. Food for thought... _ o _ / = > Later, _ (_)==(_) Don ---------------------------------------------------- From: Raimondo7@aol.com << ,ect---keep your paws on the grips! it only takes minute dampening less than oz. strength to prevent this >> I've said it before, but it's worth repeating. You don't have to put up with a wobbly front end. Have the tire balanced with an automoble unit and you will elliminate the problem. After trial and error I have found that this is the solution. With this method, I have 0 wobble. We all ride with our hands on the bars,except when testing for a wobble. With 58000 miles on my ' 93 and many tire changes I can asure you that it works. ----------------------------------------------------