I'm looking for help to troubleshoot a low speed wobble I'm getting at 35mph or slower. Its not horrible, but I do feel it and need to work a little harder to keep th bike going straight. When I get to 40mph and above, it feels fine.

Heres the kicker, I had the bike completely disassembled to have the frame poweder coated. I did re-assemble it per the steps in the Honda shop book. So far I loosened the front and and re-torqued everything to spec. I also swapped out the front wheel to make sure it wasn't the cause. The front wheel bearings are fine. It does have new, tappered head bearing. I also checked to make sure the back wheel was aligned.

Thanks,

John

 

Assuming the wobble was not there before disassembly.
Did you follow the sequence for forks and front wheel reassembly?
How did you install the head bearing races and what did you torque the bearings to?

 

I followed the sequence in the Honda manual to assemble the front end. I torqued the whole tripple tree assembly to spec, according to the book, but I drove the bearing races in with a bearing driver and hammmer. I still need to take the weight off the front end and see if iI can feel anything while turning it from side to side.

 

I'm of the understanding that tapered head bearings should not be torqued to the same as the stock ball bearings. Less as I recall. I have tapered and I searched for a spec, but did not find anything definitive. I don't remember what I ended up with finial torque.
Torqued to a tight preload, then backed off till just snug and no binding or gritty feeling left right with the bars and wheel off the ground.
I have used the driver and hammer method also. Really not a safe substitute for a screw type press.
Not saying that these are the reasons, but it is what you changed from stock

 

Thanks. Any advice is helpfull.

 

If the issue is caused by over tightening the head bearings, is it a matter of loosening everything up, and re-seating the bearings, or are the bearings trashed for being over tightened and need to be replaced?

 

I don't think so, depending on how much torque was applied during preload and final value. Also how much use the bearings were subjected to. I it's possible to distort the bearing cage with over torque. Pull the top bearing out and inspect. With the front wheel off the ground cycle the bars and feel for smoothness or lack of.
Though not moto specific, maybe of some help.

 

Victory! I lossened up the steering stem and then re-tightend untill i felt some resistance. Then backed off a bit, as you would on a wheel spindle on a car. No more wobble.