metalhead blur

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:45 pm

ok, when i first got the blur i noticed a mild shaking that started around 40 mph indicated or so. i took it in to the shop, they said they didn't feel anything, that the blur was alot more violent than my et2 etc. and i didn't feel it all of the time honestly. mostly on newer paved roads. so, i figured maybe it was something i had to just "ride out."

well i have hit 3000 miles, and with the new topcase installed i am keeping my eye on it. i notice that rather than just shake, i think i can see the handlebars go back and forth (in a back and forth motion) so i decided a test would be in order

as i was slowing down, around 40mph indicated, i let loose of both grips, but keep my hands sort of around the area for stability, if you know what i mean. i notice column starts to slowly wobble (as if a force were steering left and right very quickly) and it got so bad i had to put my hands back on the handlebars so i wouldn't lose control.

surely this isn't normal?? what could it be? i'm not too mechanically inclined. i work with computers, not cars.

should i worry about it?

btw, everything looks tight on the wheels.

help?

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:41 am

Could be a number of things, the simplest being tire pressure. Could also be loose bearings in the steering head. I believe that there are two bearings, an upper and a lower, in the frame and through which the steering stem passes. There should be some sort of locking nut that controls how much freeplay is given to the bearings. Getting at this nut, if I remember correctly will require removing the black, shield-shaped piece of plastic on the upper front cowl.

You might be able to tell if it's the bearings by putting the scoot up on the center stand, and having someone push down on the grab rail so that the front wheel comes off the ground. Then grasp the handlebars and try to push and pull them in various directions in order to see if there's too much freeplay or wobbling in the steering stem.

bluelghtning · Post by **bluelghtning** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:23 am

Most likely its the stock front tire on the Blur. If they are ran low, they can develop a weird wear pattern and due to the aggressive nature of the geometry of the Blur, it doesn't take much to induce head shake. If the pressure is too high or too low, it can cause it too.

It really isn't anything to worry about. Yes it can be dangerous if you actually let the shake get out of control, but as long as you keep your hands on the bars, you really don't have anything to worry about.

If you wanted to fix it tomorrow, a new front tire would probably fix it. I doubt its anything more serious suspension wise or head bearings, etc. Its very common for bikes to do this when their front tires wear badly.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:47 am

good to know. thanks. the tire pressure when i got it was at something ridiculous like 50 psi or something.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:01 am

50 psi?!! That's the kind of pressure that can cause permanent damage! I think bluelghtning has it right in it being a tire issue. My Blur does the same, and it concerned me for a bit, until I realized that I don't ride without hands. The excessive wobble you mention might be reason for concern, though. I'm not sure how you'd check the tire for damage beyond the obvious.

I guess that's the downside to only having two wheels... any tire issue is magnified that much more.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:15 pm

I noticed that when you let go of the handlebars on the Blur they shake a lot more than my motorcycle.

This is an interesting topic, because I've always been curious why the bar end weights come stock on these. There must be a tendacy for the headset to shake anyway.

That, by the way might be another answer to your problem. Is one of the bar-end weights loose or missing? Of course I've got an '07, and they might not come on the '06.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:49 pm

KCScooterDude wrote:I noticed that when you let go of the handlebars on the Blur they shake a lot more than my motorcycle.

This is an interesting topic, because I've always been curious why the bar end weights come stock on these. There must be a tendacy for the headset to shake anyway.

That, by the way might be another answer to your problem. Is one of the bar-end weights loose or missing? Of course I've got an '07, and they might not come on the '06.

the '06s have neat little pointy rubber barends - I dont think they act as weights. I did get a set of Buddy weights (carbon fiber looking) to try on my Burgman when I lost one of those but even the Buddy weights are pretty light - compared to the real ones on the Burgman. I was gonna use them (the Buddy weights) on the Blur but you have to cut out the rubber ends on the Blur grips to install weights and I just didnt see the point since they're so light.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:08 pm

Replace the grips then put the weights on. I can't recommend "ProGrips" enough! To be perfectly honest, though, the bar end weights that Scooterworks sells are more for looks than anything else. The ProGrips have open ends, so the bar weights finish it off pretty decently.

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:09 am

check the steering bearings... put it on the stand and have someone sit on the back to hold the front wheel up (engine not running!)

Then see if there's any up-down play when you pull up on the headset, and that it turns left and right smoothly.

while you're doing that see if the wheel has any play on the hub.

Check the steering alignment too, line up two (unwarped) 2x4s against the sides of the rear tire and see if the front tire is aligned with them.

Bb.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:31 am

BeachBuzz wrote:
KCScooterDude wrote:I noticed that when you let go of the handlebars on the Blur they shake a lot more than my motorcycle.

This is an interesting topic, because I've always been curious why the bar end weights come stock on these. There must be a tendacy for the headset to shake anyway.

That, by the way might be another answer to your problem. Is one of the bar-end weights loose or missing? Of course I've got an '07, and they might not come on the '06.
the '06s have neat little pointy rubber barends - I dont think they act as weights. I did get a set of Buddy weights (carbon fiber looking) to try on my Burgman when I lost one of those but even the Buddy weights are pretty light - compared to the real ones on the Burgman. I was gonna use them (the Buddy weights) on the Blur but you have to cut out the rubber ends on the Blur grips to install weights and I just didnt see the point since they're so light.

Interesting. The '07 have nice shinny metal bar end weights that come standard. I wonder why there was a change?

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:35 pm

Just tried this yesterday, and I get the "shakes" as well. Front end's fine, tires properly inflated, no oddball wear pattern, but, I think Ive got it figured out:

It's a stall indicator that only goes off when your airspeed is insufficient to hold the scoot upright without the assistance of your hands. Those ARE the things that make scoots and cycles work, no?

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:43 am

charlie55 wrote:Just tried this yesterday, and I get the "shakes" as well. Front end's fine, tires properly inflated, no oddball wear pattern, but, I think Ive got it figured out:

It's a stall indicator that only goes off when your airspeed is insufficient to hold the scoot upright without the assistance of your hands. Those ARE the things that make scoots and cycles work, no?

Just don't panic and pull up on the headset. Didn't learn that during those countless hours on the Blur simulator?

davelhunter · Post by **davelhunter** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:05 am

This is strange. I had an 08' Ninja 250 and my Blur feels a lot more stable. I have no shaking at all on my handlebars. When I am approaching a stop light and want to stretch my back I let go all the time and coast no handed and my bike has no shake whatsoever. I would start by checkin ght etire pressure and tread wear.

bluelghtning · Post by **bluelghtning** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:34 am

Play with your tire pressures.

I just experimented with mine a bit the other day. If I went up to say 34lbs on the front tire, I got head shake. If I dropped it down to about 28, I didn't have any.

Speaking of pressures, what are people running? Around 28-30?

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:28 pm

30, fore and aft.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:47 pm

thanks for the replies. i use 30 on my tires, i'll drop it and see what happens, and try some of these other suggestions too.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 2:57 pm

charlie55 wrote:30, fore and aft.

30 as a max - whenever I get around to checking and reapplying the pump - never noticed any