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FE550 Sway problems at speed.

A

AwesomeFE550

Joined Apr 2014
64 Posts | 3+
Canada
Hello all..

It has been a while since I been on here... Have not done much riding lately as I been busy with kid and moving. I had a chance to take the bike out last weekend and I am now very concerned....

I have noticed (and its a very easy thing to notice) that when I hit approx 60 km per hour, the bike starts to shake almost uncontrollably.

1) I will start from the front,,,, It feels like the whole shock and steering assembly is going North South and it causes my arms to extend and compress quite harsh.
I am thinking this has something to do with the steering stem bearings. However when the bike is in the air, I can not shake it in those directions by hand.

What do you guys think this could be?

2) Moving on to the rear of the bike.

At the same speed, I feel the bike is swaying West / East and its a scary thing. It seems like I bent the rim or something but my rims are straight.
I have replaced the rear wheel bearing last year when they literally blew out of the hub. I checked for play at the rim and found none. Bearing still seem to be good and tight. no leaks or anything

What could this be?

I could try getting a video of it but it will take me a while....

So far I have checked a couple of things and here is the list.

1) The chain is tight as per manual.
2) Chain guides are bolted tight and not worn out and the rollers spin freely.
3) Rear sprocket is good and no damage.
4) All spokes in the rim are there, (have not checked if they are tight)

5) THIS ONE SCARES ME A BIT.: The front sprocket is fine on the outside. HOWEVER I can move the shaft in and out about 1/4 inch? Is this normal??? Also I can make it wiggle (rotational on the X-axis) Very minimal but I can.

This scares me as I do not want to tear into the motor to replace that output bearing (do not know the technical term)

I will try to get some photos and a video...

But if anyone has any ideas on what to look for please share....

Sorry for the long post.

This is a dirt bike. No street riding or anything
 
Does it come in waves?

Are the wheels balanced? (Have them balanced by all means if not!)
 
Steering easy to adjust try that also check/tighten all fasteners at the front end. Try that then the rear wheel same thing and check swing arm East/west problem any play at all time to replace some stuff there. Good luck
 
tourist said:
Does it come in waves?

Are the wheels balanced? (Have them balanced by all means if not!)
Click to expand...

What do you mean does it come in waves?

I am not sure if the wheels are balanced... never checked... but I will try get them off and balanced.


Rainerio said:
Steering easy to adjust try that also check/tighten all fasteners at the front end. Try that then the rear wheel same thing and check swing arm East/west problem any play at all time to replace some stuff there. Good luck
Click to expand...

What am I adjusting in the steering? I have tightened everything at the top by the stem bearing... and I will tighten everything else tonight.

I will check the swing arm bearings and all...



Any ideas on the front sprocket ? Is that normal play ?
 
in waves as in is it constant shaking, or does it shakeSHAKEshake.....shakeSHAKEshake...?
 
Have you adjusted or played with the suspension and or moved the front shocks in the trees? Have you had your front tire off, if yes, when installed did you relax the front end when tightening the front axle?
 
tourist said:
in waves as in is it constant shaking, or does it shakeSHAKEshake.....shakeSHAKEshake...?
Click to expand...

Oh its constant as soon as I get it up to 70....


FE350 said:
Have you adjusted or played with the suspension and or moved the front shocks in the trees? Have you had your front tire off, if yes, when installed did you relax the front end when tightening the front axle?
Click to expand...

I have taken the suspension off the front once... But never taken the wheel off... I moved the shocks in the clamps... about an inch or so...

What parts would you "relax" while tightening the front axle?

Sorry if this is way too noob of me...
 
1/4 " play on the output shaft. Not normal on any of my bikes

If your swingarm, steering stem and wheel bearings are ok and your forks are not twisted or bound maybe consider getting suspension serviced
 
Last edited:
I am guessing you have a miss-alignment issue between your front and rear tire and the fact that you have changed your trail on the front end extremely by moving the front shocks in the trees.

I have seen allot of bikes that have had the front shocks pinned in the axles. One common issue is when replacing the front wheel the installer thinks it needs to be tight to the axle bearings. The front shocks need to be relaxed and perfectly parallel to each other. The alignment between the wheel axle bearings and spacers is not always the correct distance of the front shocks and if pulled in to the spacers will pin the front shocks. This will create many handling issues. The alignment between the front and rear tire is crucial to handling as each wheel needs to be in alignment with the other. Measure the distance from each axle on both left and right sides.
The biggest concern is with the front end trail. More than likely your wobble is from the front trail. Try putting your front end back up to the factory setting and take it for a ride, I bet it goes away.

Just some thoughts and ideas for you :)
 
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husabutt said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siSIue3IWeI
Click to expand...


I did not know that... how ever, I have not taken the rim off this bike yet... I will do this just to make sure its proper.

bushmechanic said:
1/4 " play on the output shaft. Not normal on any of my bikes

If your swingarm, steering stem and wheel bearings are ok and your forks are not twisted or bound maybe consider getting suspension serviced
Click to expand...

I will take a video of this shaft play and post it up....

I am not sure if the swing arm bearings are okay... I cant wiggle it East/west as I move the whole bike.

I need to service the rear shock ... it is a bit soft now... but that cant cause the sway left and right can it?
 
And sorry, I just read that you pulled the front end off without removing the wheel and put it back on? When removing the front end you need to relax the shocks and wheel to set it up correctly. I am really guessing the wobble if front end related.
If you look in the service manual, you will find the correct way to re and re the front end, with step by step instructions. It is imperative you follow the steps or dangerous things can happen while riding. If you don't have or cant find the steps, I will forward this info to you :)
 
Yes if the rear shock spring is loose, It can cause huge sway when riding as its spring tension can no longer hold the wheel down as required.
 
FE350 said:
And sorry, I just read that you pulled the front end off without removing the wheel and put it back on? When removing the front end you need to relax the shocks and wheel to set it up correctly. I am really guessing the wobble if front end related.
If you look in the service manual, you will find the correct way to re and re the front end, with step by step instructions. It is imperative you follow the steps or dangerous things can happen while riding. If you don't have or cant find the steps, I will forward this info to you :)
Click to expand...

Thank you very much... I do have the service manual and I will read it regarding the front end. I will try and get some time tonight after work to fittle with it and take a video of the front sprocket and maybe even place it in gear as its on a stand.... it shakes quite a bit tho ....

Weird thing is the rear sway came out of no where....

Once again thank you all for your input
 
Yes suspension can do wild things when played with. If you mucked with the rear spring taking tension off as I have seen tons of times so to get a lower seat height, this will cause tons of issues. Very important to set sag for your weight on the bike. It is always a good idea to set the bike to factory specs when taking ownership if you don't know the previous owners mechanical skills and or experience. Then set the bike to you and your weight, this might mean changing the spring or just the sag of the bike.
Lots of info in this forum about suspension, might be a good read :)
 
Hello all...

So I took some videos.

There is defiantly a huge problem with the front sprocket. and the wheel is defiantly bent.

I lifted the bike up, and went through some gears. See the results below.

What do you guys think I need to fix this issue?

New front sprocket for sure. New Chain? Rear Sprocket?

SO the play in the output shaft is very minimal. and ONLY in and out 1/8 if not 1/16 of an inch... the front sprocket made it worse as it was just so loose around the output shaft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKcyMezH0jA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0AsaLz7Aa0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-adzZEOWJeY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khd1JYUlmW4
 
Looks to me at least replace front sprocket and chain. I don't know this bike but behind the F sprocket is a spacer also replace it. With the F sprocket off inspect the shaft hope it's still good. Your chain looks rusty on the inside links not moving freely. Try soaking the chain in oil as long as you can a week maybe may not work but worth trying. Steering stem adjusting it not so tight that won't move on it's own and not so lose that you feel any play. Swing arm you said has play east/west that's no good fit it. Rear wheel checked it and trued it and the front wheel also.
 
Rainerio said:
Looks to me at least replace front sprocket and chain. I don't know this bike but behind the F sprocket is a spacer also replace it. With the F sprocket off inspect the shaft hope it's still good. Your chain looks rusty on the inside links not moving freely. Try soaking the chain in oil as long as you can a week maybe may not work but worth trying. Steering stem adjusting it not so tight that won't move on it's own and not so lose that you feel any play. Swing arm you said has play east/west that's no good fit it. Rear wheel checked it and trued it and the front wheel also.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rainerio

I will replace the front sprocket. The chain is doing okay actually... Its not rusty... its more or less dirty... but I will replace that one as well.
The shaft seems to be good... Only concern is a slight IN and OUT play. but I would assume it has to be there for taking on less stress.

How did you notice the swing arm ? I think it was the whole bike shaking violently... I mean the bearing for that are 10 dollars so might as well do that.

I will check the front and rear wheel and make sure they are true...

Thanks again
 
When I told your chain is rusty that can be on the inside. Your links should move freely. The way your chain was bouncing to me that look like a chain with stiff links. Thought you said you swing arm move east/west? If any play that way fix it.
 
Hi there,
just reading your thread.
Chain jerking around without load on it on a 550, seems normal to me as both mine done the same slapping on plastic guides and front sprocket sat a bit loose on spline , mine had done lots of hours work though .

Try elevating the rear wheel off the ground or up on bike stand off the ground.
Sit a screw driver or bit of wood or some object on the swing arm and touch it against the edge of the rim whilst resting on the swing arm , and have someone spin the wheel. Check if there is much deviation of the rim like a side to side buckle , twist or up and down buckle of the rim.

The rim should turn and the gap between the wood block or object resting on the swing arm sitting close to the spinning wheel should not change to much, maybe a couple of mm. If it is 10-15mm , may be the problem
Now hold the object close to the tyre and do the same, if you see lots of up and down or side to side movement of the tyre, maybe the tyre bead isn't quite on or interfering with the rim lock or the tyre may have a defect causing vibration.

Check the front tyre and front rim the same way by resting something on the fork leg holding against the rim then tyre looking for abnormal movement.

Try 30 psi in both tyres, ride, feel what its like, then let the rear one down to say 5psi on flat level road surface at the speed, see if it vibrates, if it changes , or vibration lessens, then that has isolated it maybe to the rear wheel or tyre.

30 psi in rear tyre again,try the same thing on the front tyre and feel for change, be careful low pressure in front tyre wont steer to well or stop. If the vibration lessens, then maybe you have isolated the issue to front rim or tyre.

If you still cant tell, process of elimination, change the front tyre, still no change , then swap the back tyre with another one. You can do this with any old tyre if you like.

If there's no change and its still vibrating, then its not the wheels or rims.

Not sure what else to look at for that

Hope that helps some
 
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