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My Kawasaki 440 Front end vibrates above 60 MPH. What can I do to help? |
I have a 26 year old Kawasaki KZ440 ltd, it cranks and runs great. However when I get above 55 or 60 mph the front end vibrates (kinda jumps up and down) I wonder what it is and what can I do before taking it to the shop. The bike rides smooth and straight just untill I get above 55 or 60 mph. Please help, I don't know where to start. Thanks Andy A new tire and balance the F wheel will probably fix the problem. If you want to check some stuff for your own satisfaction - -Put the bike on the center stand. -Jack up the F enough to get the F wheel off the ground (or get someone to push down on the rear of the seat). -Hold a pencile up to the rim and spin the wheel (to make sure it's straight and doesn't have any up & down hop and there are no dents). -With the wheel pointing straight ahead, turn the handle bars a little. The wheel should turn all the way to the steering stop on it's own.Try both ways (this is to check if the steering bearings are worn or to tight). -Grab the wheel and pull it forward, away from the bike. You shouldn't be able to move it (this checks to see if the steering bearings are worn or lose). TIRE WEIGHTS OR STEARING STABILIZER Slow down ?!? You might need a new tire. Or the rim could be bent. Probably the tire, though. Are the brakes dragging at all? Sounds like an unbalanced front wheel. Same thing happens to a car if the wheels need rebalancing. Part of the problem is that your bike is nearly 30 years old and it's a Kawasaki. Although, don't get me wrong, if I were to get a Japanese Motorcycle it'd be a Kawasaki Ninja, but otherwise, I'd get a Buell X1 Lightning which is nice and rumbly rather than whiny and annoying, sounding like a blender no matter what. it sounds like your tire is out of balance, although i'm not sure how you'd go about balancing a motorcycle tire. at least i've never seen weights on a motorcycle wheel. this is an old bike---are your front fork seals in good shape? if they're not in good shape you can get excessive up and down movement. is this an original tire? if it is maybe it has developed a flat spot from sitting for long periods of time. just my .02 |
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