My Kawasaki 440 Front end vibrates above 60 MPH. What can I do to help?

Question

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

Answer 1

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).

Answer 2

Couple of people got it right. At the very least your front wheel needs balancing. Would be a good idea to get wheel bearings and steering bearings checked and also the tyre for dry rot or distortion Just because a bike is old it doesnt have to do this. I ride a 1978 Yamaha, the engine vibrates but not the wheels (at least up to 100mph, it wont go any faster)
prince, stay away from things you know nothing about (like steering stabilisers) they are not a big weight, they are hydraulic or friction dampers

Answer 3

Does it stop vibrating after a particular speed after that, say at about sixty 5-70mph ? maximum (more least expensive) automobiles adventure some shake throughout a particular larger speed determination, besides the very undeniable truth that if the shaking would not stop after a particular speed, then definite, you've a project with the vehicle. although, it will be something so user-friendly as getting the wheels balanced to fix it. you should actually have a clod of airborne dirt and dirt/dirt stuck to the interior of one wheel as which will reason a shake too. verify the wheels first in the previous taking better drastic action.

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

make sure your head bearings dont have any slopp,they take all the force from bumps and just the weight of the bike pulling on them,get the front end off the ground and grabe both tubes check for horizontal and lateral movement,even just a little slop can turn into head wobble at speed,if its loose at all,dissassemble it check for any obvious wear and greese and reassemble if all is good,check the torq.

_BB_

Answer 7

Sounds like an unbalanced front wheel. Same thing happens to a car if the wheels need rebalancing.

Answer 8

You might need a new tire.
Or the rim could be bent. Probably the tire, though. Are the brakes dragging at all?

Answer 9

Balance your front tire

Answer 10

Drive under 55 mph?? :)