Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: Davelu88 on April 21, 2019, 03:11:52 PM
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Hi all my 550 feels a bit wobbly at front end especially at lower speeds . I'm not sure if the tyres have anything to do with it they are IRC , or could it be the forks , any input appreciated .
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Check the steering head.to tight or loose can cause problems.
Check tyre pressure .28psi is perfect for mine.
What's IRC?
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Mine was wobbly at low speeds if I let go the grips then it was crazy wobbling! had a new front tyre and now perfect
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IRC are the tyre make John !! . I'm thinking it's the tyres Peter , any recommendations on make .
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Metzeller mate
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Cheers Bryan , these are IRC which are USA make I think and are retro looking but they don't inspire much confidence on bends etc .
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ME 77 rear, perfect ME 11 front. Look same as original but stick better and if you shop carefully should not break the bank. Tubless is OK as long as you fit tubes!
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I better get shopping ;D
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Do check the swingarm for play as well, it is surprising how much play at the back feels like its front end.
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Will do , like I say if you let go of the bars at 30 mph it wobbles like made but at 50 it's ok ( I'm not recommending doing that ) but the front just don't feel right .
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My 750 came with IRC tyres they were OK not great but OK.
I finally got around to getting my 550 back on the road today after it ws running crap coming back from Crich last year.
Today out on the road it felt fat and slow to turn in at speed and woundered all over the road ( A kind of wobbly feeling)
I think mine is due to my rear shocks finaly giving up completely
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I might look at front forks again as they feel a bit soft and I think are bottoming out , would new springs take care of thatasive already put new fork oil in .
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I put proggressive springs in the 750 and it felt much more planted after.But my origanal springs were way below the minimum required length. It could be worth checking wether yours are still within spec. If your bike is low mileage I should think there still OK
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Bike only has 6K on it and im sure that is genuine, but i will check the spring specs. Also how do progressive springs work ?
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Hi Dave
I just finished assembly of my 550K1.
My experience - wobbling at low speeds are caused by tire, its pressure (too low) and head bearing.
Forks - I did complete disassembly and cleaning, then assembly back and new fork oil Motul 10W, 160cc each leg.
I assume my fork is also 100% stock, springs lengths are 460mm. Despite I tried, I was unable to find service limit for my springs... Seems fork on CB550K and also later CB550F are different than my K1. Either I'm blinnd or just stupid, I did not find it in service manual, nor in Haynes book. I did not find exploded view of my fork in Service manual too (I have 2 small springs at bottom that are not shown in manual but are in spare parts catalogues on Partzilla, CMS....)
Wobbling/Tire - I would look at tire (do you have new one?), pressure? Maybe was standing deflating for years on one place and now tire has changed shape that is causing wobbling...
I have old( >20years) Kenda, it was wobbling too when I first tried bike when I received it.
BUT then I have replaced steering head bearing by tappered one and now, with old Kenda no wobbling at all, head bearing is a MUST change on these old bikes. Even new standard bearing will do the job...
I ordered new Avon Roadrider's AM26..
Note: On my CB750 K7 I have Battlax 45 and these are performing very good.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190421/b8439fe75e4a077091131809cd3df94e.jpg)
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Thanks for that Erny , tyres first then see how it is before I tackle the forks ;D
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I would start with bearing replacement by tapered one, I bet it cannot be good! And of course new tires.
Forks after.
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Agreed, everything all have said already but having said that, mine has always been slightly wobbly at low speeds and despite trying different tyres and head bearing etc it is now something I just put up with. It only seems to be at a particular speed. I don't think you will ever get it perfectly right.
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Also check your wheel alignment - a straight edge, or tight string touching front and back edges of the rear tyre should be passing by the smaller front tyre by an equal amount. There are alignment marks on the swinging arm, but this method is more accurate.
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Today i have checked the fork springs & they are right length at 460mm i have also replaced the oil with 15W i previously had 10W in it & i could only take for a Short ride as its raining but it did seem a bit more planted and a bit less bouncy , am i right that the tight coils in the fork springs go down first .
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If it is bouncy, check that the spokes are true ;) ;)
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I don't think it actully makes a difference what way up the springs go.
The larger coils will always compress first