Low speed weave ?

[icerigger]

During my shakedown ride on a NTM '79 K I noticed that the bike tends to gently weave side to side when going between 20 & 30 mph. I can stop it by holding the grips tight, but when I relax to my normal grip the weave starts again. It's fine below 20 mph and above 30mph.

The swing arm seems tight, new ATF in the forks, no play in the stem bearings, rims are true and tires look okay although they are 5 years old. Can't check anything else right now 'cause it's apart waiting for a new alternator rotor & regulator.

Anyone have any ideas about what to check when I get it back together?

[TOOLS1]

I think the answer could be found in your avatar. Sounds like the tires to me. However it could be bent forks, steering stem bearings, or bent frame.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

I just recently replaced my steering bearings. I accidentally over tightened them and had the same problem.

[sgtslag]

Five year old tires are dangerous, due to age, alone.  There are a lot of tires out there, but for us, Pirelli MT66 Route tires are the bomb for grip, and near-immunity to road cracks, and grated bridges.  As long as you are waiting, order a set of new tires, whatever type you prefer, to replace the current ones.  They are just too old to trust your life with, regardless of tread depth.  New tubes (natural rubber deflates slower than synthetic), of course, and rim strips, will be needed, as well.

By the way, I, too, have a '79K.  We rode it two up, in four days of rain, full saddlebags, full trunk, full tank bag, without any traction issues.  We put our lives on the line with the Pirelli's, leaning into curves at 60 MPH, in the rain, all four days.  Liked them so much, we put them on our Voyager touring machine, too.  Cheers!

[icerigger]

OK guys, thanks for your input.

[Re-run]

Another option would be shinko tires. I used those and they are good, inexpensive tires. got both for under 100 at motorcycle-superstore.com.

[icerigger]

Finally figured out how to read the codes on the current mounted tires. Turns out the buggers are 20 years old which explains why they're hard as bricks. Why didn't some one tell me they changed the codes in 2000, sheesh BG. So it looks like it's new tires as well. Been looking at Shinko & Kenda on the low side or Bridgestone & Pirelli on the high side. I don't expect to put a lot of miles on this thing as I got it just to go 2 up when SWC feels like tagging along. Mostly I just ride the Rebel.

If you can't tell, I've been away from bikes for 30 years, so I'm probably going to annoy just like a noob. Thanks for your patience guys,
bob

[cdaiscool]

icerigger wrote

If you can't tell, I've been away from bikes for 30 years, so I'm probably going to annoy just like a noob. Thanks for your patience guys,
bob

They've survived me, they'll survive whatever you throw at 'em. I promise!

[shinyribs]

I love my Shinkos.Of course they are only my second ever set of bike tires and my previous ones were bricks like you described. I got my Shinkos mounted and balanced out the door for $135. Thats hard to beat. I never ride 2 up,though.Can't comment there.

[Re-run]

I've done 2 up on my 712s and they performed fine. No complaints at all.