Author Topic: Weeble Woobles weeble and I almost fell down! (Read 8775 times)

Okie Enfield · **on:** May 13, 2011, 12:51:50 am

OK, HOLY CRAP!

So here's the picture. I get Allison back from the dealership after her 500 mile oil change. She is running sweet. I figure, " I've been good with the break in, kept her at 45 and such. Lets open her up just a little bit and let her run for a mile or so."

So I do. Then I nearly crap my pants!

Just when I hit RE 65mph, back end starts to sway ALL OVER THE PLACE. My first thought was "rear tire blowout" which I have had happen on my scooter doing close to the same speed. Sos I let off throttle and lean a little forward, prepaired to meet pavement if I cant keep her under control (parish the thought) and like magic shes as stable as a rock. WTF? So basically now I'm weirded out anyway so I go ahead and pull over to the side, hop off and take a look at the rear tire expecting to see and least some sort of damage, Nothing. Check pressure, all good. So now I'm afraid that something else is seriously wrong like the back tire has been knocked out of plumb. Eyeballed and it looks fine.

She's back in the garage till I can figure this out. Will be calling Ron's tomorrow to find out when they can take a look at it. Anyone else out there having their ride try to buck them off like this. I have some experience riding but nothing close to most of you, but this just felt WRONG!

r80rt · **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2011, 12:58:14 am

What is your tire pressure? If you ride a C5 try 18 front and 22 rear, Read the recommended tire pressure in the manual.

GreenMachine · **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:01:57 am

i;m talking iron here but they are not rock solid when u get them over 65...i'm not sure if thats what u experienced...maybe it scared the crap outta ya...but if its really like it was coming apart at the seams..have your dealer take her out at that speed and c what he thinks,...could be normal feeling at that rate of speed and u expecting a japanese machine like feel at 65 mph...

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:20:04 am

+1 on tire pressure 18/22 is a good start. Also make sure the rear wheel is properly aligned. I'm pusing past 80 on my C5 with no stability problems. We'll get you sorted.

Scott

The Garbone · **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:30:33 am

30/30 on my iron. Stable up to 80 indicated, you probably have a problem.

Put her on the center stand and give a good pull left and right on the tire. Look for any play in the swing arm or axle. Also check to make sure your head is tight with no vertical movement. Maybe its loose up front and it feels like the ass end.

You may need to read that epic instability thread...

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,8325.0.html

REpozer · **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:32:52 am

I run 30/ 35 on tire pressure.

but i carry a load.

r80rt · **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:43:04 am

the 18 inch Avons on a C5 like lower pressure than the older bikes, I didn't believe it for a long time but it really makes a difference. Ask Scooterbob he convinced me

Okie Enfield · **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:45:38 am

update.... Just ran out to verify exact pressure.. both tires at 34 psi. now at 18 front/ 22 rear. no visible play on rear, swing arm or head. gonna take her out now and see if it happens with the lower pressure. Oh, and didnt get the stinking manual! kicking myself for not making a bigger deal about it now. Thinking calm thoughts now, tele tubbies, bunnies, orange dreamcicles, Donald Trump as president. AHHH CRAP! I'm freakin myself out again!

Okie Enfield · **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:46:23 am

Back in about an hour.

GreenMachine · **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:22:08 am

i don't think i could get my iron up to 80...maybe 70...wow 80 on the c5 and rock steady like it was 50...go figure...i;m impressed...my iron is really okay up to 65 but after it seems to be a bit erratic if i push it past 65 as indicated on the speedometer...

TWinOKC · **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:26:28 am

I'm betting the problem is tire pressure. Second guess is the pavement, sometimes the pavement will look smooth but after you get up some speed it is not as smooth as it seemed. Try a different road

Good luck!

r80rt · **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:33:17 am

Well

GreenMachine · **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:37:54 am

well he's nort back yet..patience u youg wipper snapper...go out and rub your head...

Okie Enfield · **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:40:38 am

sorry if I had yall worried. Well, got her up to 72mph on the speedo, no wobble. Chose a road I know like the back of my hand, long and flat, went up and back, held at over 70 for 3 or 4 miles. Verdict.... no weeble woobles!... Who would of thought 18/22. Doesnt that low of a tire pressure tend to heat up the tires more? Anyway, looks like that was it. Was freaked out there for a minute! Will still go over every bolt anyway and keep her at low speeds for the rest of the break in period.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:47:06 am

These tires are really stiff. I had a flat and didn't even know it! We all did the same thing with too much pressure at first and finally settled down to around the recommended pressures, plus or minus a pound or two.

Oh, and congrats on you 72mph run! Glad you're all sorted out now.

Scott

GreenMachine · **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:47:20 am

seems low to me butlisten to the c5 guys...they know whats best for those machines...glad to c u back and okay...r80rt was pulling his hair out and becoming a bid pia...glad to c u feel it has settjed down...have a good night..

r80rt · **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:49:02 am

Glad that took care of it.

Okie Enfield · **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:57:58 am

Thanks again guys for the help. You really should all be paid by RE, maybe in free warrantied parts? Kevin, you listenen ?

Truely a great community you guys have built here. You should be proud. And r80rt wasnt worried about me..... he was worried about what might happen Alison, my RED C5!

GSS · **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2011, 04:27:00 am

Glad you didn't take a tumble....18/24 works for my 2010 C5....higher pressures make the bike real twitchy, really fast!

Has anyone tried non-Avon tires on their C5s? Thoughts? Likes and dislikes? I am contemplating going to 19 inches in the front and that might be a good time to try a different set of tires.

robbw · **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:19:38 am

Glad you didn't wreck. Tires are a pain in the a*s, but essential to the operation of the bike LOL

Andy · **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2011, 11:21:09 am

It took some convincing to get me to lower my tire pressures to 18/22 last year. But after I finally gave it a try, holy moly what an improvement - at ALL speeds. I knew about 7 seconds after pulling out of the driveway that handling and stability were definitely looking up.

Tiny Tim · **Reply #21 on:** May 13, 2011, 12:28:46 pm

Okie,

I experienced much the same thing when I finished running in my AVL Electra. Opened her up to an indicated 83 and a vicious vibration / oscillation started up on the front. Much like a "Tank Slapper".

I immediately shut off the throttle and started to work out which side of the empty road look softest for the crash landing that must be imminent. With that it died away and I rode home and changed my pants!

I checked everything (or so I thought) and never found anything out of place or loose. I decided that the fix was not to do 83!

A year or so later, I was changing the forks and when it came time to undo them, found that both were only finger tight! I don't know if that was it but I'm sure it coudn't have helped.

r80rt · **Reply #22 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:14:41 pm

Quote from: Okie Enfield on May 13, 2011, 03:57:58 am

Thanks again guys for the help. You really should all be paid by RE, maybe in free warrantied parts? Kevin, you listenen ? Truely a great community you guys have built here. You should be proud. And r80rt wasnt worried about me..... he was worried about what might happen Alison, my RED C5!

I was a little worried about you, but more worried about the C5

Don't pay any mind to greenmachine, he don't have a Red C5!

gashousegorilla · **Reply #23 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:17:05 pm

Quote from: Andy on May 13, 2011, 11:21:09 am

I knew about 7 seconds after pulling out of the driveway that handling and stability were definitely looking up.

Amazing, wasn't It ?

I wonder if the pressures listed on the front down tube placard have been modified on the new bikes?

drbvac · **Reply #24 on:** May 13, 2011, 08:00:38 pm

28 - 18 in the 2011 manual - maybe the front tire is the one that throws the bike into wobbles

r80rt · **Reply #25 on:** May 13, 2011, 08:26:16 pm

When you feel wierdness in the back it usually is the front tire causing it, at least I've found that to be true.

Maturin · **Reply #26 on:** May 13, 2011, 08:46:13 pm

Hiho Okie! Nice to hear the Alison is runnig straight again. I wonder, though, if that´s the only issue, as I suspect your fork oil is worth checking. Some other folks experienced that it´s possible that you get your bike out of the factory with eneven amounts of fork oil in both of the tubes.
In my G5 I can measure it from the top, having removed the big nuts. Could be the right moment to check it at your bike.

Okie Enfield · **Reply #27 on:** May 17, 2011, 12:33:03 am

thanks for mentioning that maturin! So im eating some dogs at Jim's Coney Island yesterday(get them with squeeze cheese please!)

. Guy walks in and starts asking about the bike, he has some BMW's and use to have an Indian back in the day. So I'm given him the story and he asks " how much play are on those front forks? You got water spots up to 1/4 inch on the right, but a black streak 1/2 down the left."

So sure nuff I take a peak and the old guy is right! It does not appear that the forks are traveling the same distance on impact with whatever. Whats more the one on the left looks like it may be rubbing pretty bad.

Its on the list

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #28 on:** May 17, 2011, 12:47:51 am

Two things: the outer covers on the uppers can rub the lower sliders and the fender can rub the upper covers. Mine rubbed a little when new, made a slight scuff on the paint, Just loosen the pinch bolts on the lower triple (they also hold on the turn signals) and the fender mounts and move it all until it's aligned. Not hard, just takes a little patience and a bounce or two.

Scott

Okie Enfield · **Reply #29 on:** May 17, 2011, 01:18:58 am

Roger that Scotty!
I need more power MR. Scotty!

BRADEY · **Reply #30 on:** May 17, 2011, 10:46:04 am

Here is the news. RE has upgraded the swing arm bush on the newer models of C5.
I am posting pictures of old and new to show difference. The credit of these photos go to vigilant owners of C5 in India, on the forum

http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/motorcycles-f13/my-new-royal-enfield-classic-500-efi-t17139-369/]http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/motorcycles-f13/my-new-royal-enfield-classic-500-efi-t17139-369/

A visit to the above link would also enlighten owners that in India the C5 now comes with a 19" 90 section front tyre and 18" 120 section rear tyre, as against 18" tyre on either wheel with 90 front 110 section rear previously.