Hopefully a simple problem, I have a 2008 883c sporty, when I ride it if i take my hands off the bars momentarilly  the front goes wobble mad to the point where it gets unsafe..... I remember on the old virago I owned years ago I could almost glide to a stop with no hands with no wobble at all...

another thing ive noticed and it may be related is the front forks seem to ride quite low 

this pic is of mine when im off it

 

 

(i googled a pic of someone else on one to show approx where mine rides when Im on mine, the only one i found close was on a superlow sportster?)

 

is my model supposed to ride so low or so soft? Im a biggish sorta bloke so I figured my extra kilos might be doing it till I checked my mates supesion on an older sporty and his rides migh higher and stiffer, I worry that the fork brace will hit the lower fork if I hit a pothole or something

I had the front tube replaced not long ago when I got a flat I`m not sure if this has something to do with it

 

I havent been riding this bike long so I cant say if the problem has been there since I got it or not, I`m just asking as I dont have mates with a great wealth of knowledge on bike stuff and like to learn this stuff, the bike shops dont seem to like me hanging around when they fix my shit.

 

Anyway cheers for any help rendered

 

Have you checked your steeringhead bearings & adjustment? also wheel alinement & the front tyre to see it it has uneven wear.

 

To add a few more. Lose spokes, shot wheel bearings, lose axle but my money's on the Tyre. If your fork springs are collapsed Ikon or progressive sell fork springs for your bike for around $150 it makes a hell of a difference to the bikes handling. If money is tight you can add a set of PVC spacers to pre-load the springs then add 10 to 12 weight fork oil.

Good luck 

 Ok... A couple of questions...

At what speed is the wobble?  Fast, slow or both.

 

Wobble on the front can be caused by a few things.  Firstly and most simply, the rear tyre pressure.  Low rear tyre pressue will enduce a wobble in the front end.   If you don't believe me, go and let some air out and see what happens.

 

Next to check is the stearing head.  If the stearing head is loose, you will get wobble.  You need to do the Fall Away Test and make sure you are withing spec.

 

Next is Rake and Trail.  If you you have change the rake of the trees, or wheel sizes etc, you will change ther rake and trail, and may get wobble.

 

Next is spokes.  If you have loose spokes, you will get wobble.  Best way to check is to tap each spoke with a screw driver and listen to the "ping"!!  They should all be the same sound.  Any that sound low or don't "ping" will need to be tightened.

 

If you think your forks are riding too low, get them checked.  Maybe they are buggered.

 

A wheel balance will not enduse a slow wobble too much, but will bring a high speed vibration.

 

In any case, a wobble is not ideal as it means there is something that is not quite right, and you should try to get it sorted.

 

Cheers
Mongrel

late model bike hope nothing worn or not set up proper steering bearings etc , but if your back tyre is worn flatish or square from too many HWY miles , or 50% or + worn put a new one on  & i bet you that fix'es her up

some good things to check, I`ll get back to you guys and let you know how i get on...
the fall away test has to be done with the wheel in the air or just on the ground? I found one on youtube, but it doesn`t explain what its for except it needs to have the spread of the drop low?
cheers

jack the front wheel in the air & pull  on the bottom of the forks fore * aft with somebody holding the back brake on  & feel for any movement . then grab the front wheel from the top & bottom & try too move it side shake  there  should be no movement @ all , being a late model i would not expect anything wrong  if the tires are 50% worn fit new one 's on ,  once the tires are worn the handling goes out the window

u mean this?

no that's the bottom triple tree.
not saying this is the one to consider but it will give you the idea
http://superbrace.com/
I wouldn't have thought you needed one but then I haven't owned a sporty

you will not need a fork brace or a steering damper  unless you are going to go fast or race, these will only hide the problem , fix & repair the problem then worry about  performance modifications, if i had a late model sporty i would fit new good brand rear shockies as stock are crap & don't last long anyway , change the front fork oil too heavy weight  with a race tech spring ,   with a new set of tyre's  then go from there  without these the sporty  will only be  good for sitting on the speed limit & with min feel in the handling department

Have you checked the tyre pressures at least?

If so.. what are they?

Chek your wheel bearing and wheel free play.

I jacked the front up today and check front bearing by pulling the forks forward, found no free play or bumps/groves when I turned the front end,I`m not sure of the drop off specs for the bike are, so I didnt do that.
I check tyre pressure and they are at 40. I tapped all the spokes and found they pretty much the same in "tone". I clicked the back spring up to the 4th setting (one from the highest), there is no scalloping or major wear on the tyres
I investigated about a fork brace and have been told an 883 (and I don`t ride it hard) doesn`t really warrant having one
The wobbles is only happening between 65-90kmph any faster or slower it vanishes.
Thx guys

 OK.  So... when your bike was up, did the steering feel VERY loose.  As in.... if you had the front wheel nice and straight, and then gave it a little push, did it fall away to full lock really easily??

yea i didnt do it yet(my mate has the bike jack) I`ll have to go back around and do it.. how wide (round about) is it supposed to be on the sporty?

I've had your problem with getting a shake when hands off bars especially when slowing down for lights etc. Turned out to be the tyre / rim out of balance. If you recently had a tube replaced it may not have been balanced correctly. The bike was fine when holding the bars, only letting go caused the issue.

yea im had an inkling this maybe the issue too

Hi Careyman,

I had a 1200 custom sporty for a few years and it was rock solid when you took your hands off the bars slow or fast.

You definatley have a problem somewhere. Just work thru all the sugggetions that members have metioned and you will fix it.

Will be something simple for sure.

Good luck.

thx mate, thought it was weird, specially as it is ok slow then ok at fast...will do,,,

As another thought...check the rear end! Do not assume that the problem originates in the front.