Buell Forum / Buell XB Forum / Buell Lightning XB12S, XB12Ss, CityX, XB12Scg / Shimmy Shimmy Coco Puff
| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 20:20 | [?] |
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I had some pretty bad head shake/fork shimmy this morning, especially when on the brakes.
First off, it was about 29*, I had let the bike warm up, and the tires were pretty warm by the time I felt the front end shaking on braking. I know the tires are a little low on pressure because of the cold, but that shouldn't be the cause. So, are the compression characteristics of the forks and rear shock effected by the cold? Could it be that the brake pads (front brake only) were cold, and caused this shaking? Looking for ideas on what would cause this. I've tuned the suspension to my weight, tires are at pressure when cold, and ambient temp is 60* (highest temp we've had since I got the bike), and nothing else seems wrong - not clunking out of the triples (no real head shake), all is good. Front tire is newer as well. This was the first time I've experienced this "shake", which I would attribute to brake pulsating if I had to put my finger on something without much knowledge of the bike's basic function/inter-working of parts (I'm a car guy). Any tips? Advice? Is this normal? |
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 20:55 | [?] |
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Was it under heavy braking? or Regular braking?
How long have you had the bike? Check the front rotor mounts. (the rotor should 'float' so go around the motor and push on it towards the wheel to make sure it's not bound up) Also, could be a funky worn pad. |
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 21:41 | [?] |
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Regular and heavy braking - but not real hard - does that make sense? Pulling up to a stoplight behind traffic, so an expected stop. I was heavy on the brake, felt the pulsating, backed off and engaged rear brake.
I've had the bike for a month, 500 miles. I've noticed a bit of head shake on decel with no brakes - but that has been essentially resolved with suspension tuning and an extra 2 psi of front tire pressure. I'll check the rotor in a few - thanks for the tip 
And, I've been thinking it was a pad. The rotor is nice and smooth, so no weird wear or gouges, but can't tell if it's round or warped, you know? I'll probably replace the pads shortly no matter what. Suggestions for spirited street/canyon riding? |
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 21:49 | [?] |
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Nothing wrong with replacing pads. I just did my rear pads because I tend to be a little heavy on the rear brake. Front brake freaks me out, i even look at my brake lever and it wants to STOP HARD. 
If it's not a bad pad/rotor maybe validate your suspension settings, if that's not it... Um bearings? Sprited street/canyon riding?? Where do you live? Reno? |
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 21:56 | [?] |
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Yep, well, Sparks and by canyon I mean mountain I likes me some twisties
And I'm thinking the EBC Reds - too much? Front and rear? I gotta keep up with the sport bike kids Not afraid of the front brake, much. But, tend to engage rear first, then front lightly.
Suspension feels right - I dialed it all in to my weight without gear - it was too soft and just about bottomed out with the front brake, so I went up to the next weight class. Now I think that either my fork and shock oil/gas was frozen this morning, or I have the compression a bit too stiff as little bumps were fairly jarring. I felt the pulsating on one stoplight stop, then on the next. After that didn't feel much at all. And, don't feel anything other than the front end kinda wobbling (very faintly) going down the road at speed which I attribute to wind/road. SO, I'm not thinking bearings at this point. Thinking brakes. So, thinking pads and flush the fluid, if that doesn't do it, drop the wheel and check the rotor for warp. |
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 21:57 | [?] |
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| It was cold as hell - 29* or so, so I think that might have more to do with it than anything else? | |
| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 22:00 | [?] |
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| Oh oh, Did you check your fork seals? I wonder if you have a bad seal. | |
| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 22:04 | [?] |
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| no juice on the forks. ??? | |
| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 22:08 | [?] |
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| SHAKING FRONT END WHILE ON THE BRAKES? thought this was normal a safty issue but its always been like that! | |
| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 22:18 | [?] |
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no juice on the forks. ??? You might have a blown fork seal, check for leaking around where the lower leg meets the upper leg of each fork. |
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 22:33 | [?] |
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| I had my head shake issue resolved simply but tightening up everything. | |
| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 23:16 | [?] |
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Forks are clean, no juice.
Thinking take it to the dealer to get them to check out torques on the front end - yes, dealer time for that one. The girl that runs their phones on the weekend is hot worth the ride just for the conversation
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 23:18 | [?] |
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SHAKING FRONT END WHILE ON THE BRAKES? thought this was normal a safty issue but its always been like that! I might be dumb and new here, but as far as I know, anything shaking but the bike itself from the twin motor is not right. Shaking when on the brakes is, in my opinion, wrong - a sign of something loose, worn, broken - and all around an indication that something needs tuning and/or fixed. |
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2010 23:19 | [?] |
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So, anyone have a brake pad they'd recommend for the street and the twisties? It'll be a while before I get on the track, so no worries there. But, it's my daily for my 21 mile round trip commute, and my toy for the weekends
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| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 06:06 | [?] |
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| Lyndall Gold pads are highly recommended. | |
| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 06:11 | [?] |
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It could be your power steering is going out.
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| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 06:56 | [?] |
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my recommendation to you all is USE BOTH OF THE BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME . You will decrease your stopping distance by alot . any one should know that. if you dont know, then you should take MSF rider safety classes.
Don’t ever forget: The front brake on your motorcycle can supply as much as 70 percent or more of your stopping power. . Always apply both the front and the rear brakes at the same time. READ PAGE 16 here : http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Riding_Tips.pdf find a rider course near you and more safe riding INFO. http://www.msf-usa.org/ |
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| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 07:08 | [?] |
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| Hmm im wondering if yours is doing something similar to mine... I only feel the shake/pulse kinda thing at lower speed braking kinda feels like it maybe tugging a bit to the right during each pulse? | |
| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 16:27 | [?] |
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i agree with brightbuell it could be your power steering, im takin mine it for it right now and im gonna have my blinker fluid topped off while im there!
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| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 18:59 | [?] |
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The girl that runs their phones on the weekend is hot worth the ride just for the conversation The chick at the Harley joint by me has some tallent too. I go in there just to kick tires, oh, and to phsically remove the chick's clothes with my eyes. |
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| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 21:34 | [?] |
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Lyndall Gold pads are highly recommended. Thanks Steven - I'll look into those. Just want something that'll utilize the Buell's braking prowess
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It could be your power steering is going out. Quote:
i agree with brightbuell it could be your power steering, im takin mine it for it right now and im gonna have my blinker fluid topped off while im there! This can't be the cause. I personally topped off the blinker fluid when I had the flyscreen off for the dual headlight on mod, and my power steering pump and steering box are both brand spankin' new 
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my recommendation to you all is USE BOTH OF THE BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME . You will decrease your stopping distance by alot . any one should know that. if you dont know, then you should take MSF rider safety classes. Don’t ever forget: The front brake on your motorcycle can supply as much as 70 percent or more of your stopping power. . Always apply both the front and the rear brakes at the same time. I use both brakes, almost ALL of the time. I initiate rear lightly first, for a second, then apply front, increasing force on each at the same time. (from Twist of the Throttle) When I had this pulsating, both brakes were on. I let off both, then only rear, then only front. Saw the forks wiggling, and applied heavy rear to let off the front. Quote:
Hmm im wondering if yours is doing something similar to mine... I only feel the shake/pulse kinda thing at lower speed braking kinda feels like it maybe tugging a bit to the right during each pulse? I don't really feel a pulling to the right - but that makes sense as centrifugal force would want to pull the bike to the right as 100% of stopping power is on the right of the vertical axis created by the front tire rotating around the axle. I might just not be noticing the pulling though. Or maybe my superhuman strength eliminates this feeling (yeah, right). Quote:
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The girl that runs their phones on the weekend is hot worth the ride just for the conversation The chick at the Harley joint by me has some tallent too. I go in there just to kick tires, oh, and to phsically remove the chick's clothes with my eyes. Eye candy is always good, especially when it's a nice, hot girl that just needs someone to give her a ride every once in a while
Whew, that was fun! Anyway, I didn't have any issues when I rode at lunch to get something to eat, and no issues after work, with a little detour to boot. A little pulsating, but nothing like I had in the morning. I'm going with the stupid cold (28* or so) caused fork and shock characteristics to stiffen up, brake fluid to seem thicker, and the brake pads to be pissed off. |
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| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 22:47 | [?] |
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| Right on Rory, whatever it was, maybe it just wanted to tell you who was boss. ;-) | |
| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 23:19 | [?] |
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Right on Rory, whatever it was, maybe it just wanted to tell you who was boss. ;-) hahahaha - I think you're right - "you want to ride me like I'm your bitch - I'll show you!" |
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| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 23:25 | [?] |
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hahahaha - I think you're right - "you want to ride me like I'm your bitch - I'll show you!" "Put stickers on me?! I'll show you big guy (shake shake shake wobble) SUCKER" |
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| Posted: 12 Mar 2010 23:58 | [?] |
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ooooooooo burn! 
It likes its new look
so do the ladies
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| Posted: 13 Mar 2010 00:00 | [?] |
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(It's jealousy that you're feeling here)
I dig the look man. The wheels look SICK |
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| Posted: 13 Mar 2010 00:28 | [?] |
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| thanks, a lot. now to drum up some business and get some proper work done - intake, exhaust, ecm, carbon, bars..... | |
| Posted: 13 Mar 2010 01:41 | [?] |
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| is your front tire wearing correctly? if the sides are wearing more then the center strip, your forks are most likely unevenly adjusted. | |
| Posted: 13 Mar 2010 01:50 | [?] |
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| tire wear is good. forks are dialed perfectly - as in adjustments are exactly the same on both sides. even got out the calipers for preload adjustment. | |
| Posted: 14 Mar 2010 03:59 Last Edited By: xtreme6669 | [?] |
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It sounds to me like you have either a warped front rotor or your getting deposits built up on the rotor from the pads... When I first got my 1125CR I had to semi-baby it for the first 600 miles of break in... the first time I ran her really hard and grabbed the front brake it shook like hell.... scared the shit out of me! I thought the rotor was warped but found out from reading some forums that the stock brakes tend to do this if the bike is not ridden (braked) hard enough to keep it clean.
The cure for me was to do multiple very aggressive +100mph down to 10MPH stops... After doing this procedure several times my brakes cleaned right up and have been fine since as I ride it a bit harder now. I swapped bikes for a ride with MIDNIGHT82 today and felt that same brake shake from the front of his bike as well... Time to clean up those brakes Eric! |
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