stearing disconnect?

[Beekeeper]

Don't know if any of you have driven the big Oldsmobile cars of the late 50's.  The front end  sorta floated like a boat.  For some reason, my 79 750F is feeling like that at freeway speeds.  40 or 50 mph running up the twisty canyon roads, no problem, but when I get to 60+ on the freeway, everything just seems loose to me.  There is no wobble, just sorta feels like front wheel is floating, and I initially thought it was the grooves in the new highway surface.(not as noticable on asphalt)  I have new tires and the bearings turn smoothly,  but am preparing to replace them for good measure.  The stearing stem bearings were replaced long ago, but not many miles since then.  I can feel 1 very slight click if I fully extend the forks and twist full range back and forth.  But there is no slop, or up and down movement in the neck.  Would bad swingarm bushings have symptoms like this?  I read that the original bushings on this machine were plastic, and I don't believe they have ever been replaced.

[shinyribs]

That click you mentioned,is it at dead center/straight ahead in the handle bars? If so,the bearing race has wore a spot in the center causing that click. They're kinda famous for doing that actually. IF it does have that worn spot in the middle then what can happen is you have to overcome that click to turn and it causes you to sorta flick the bars and causes it to feel like its wobbling, The faster you go,the worse it feels. You get the same sensation if you overtighten the steering stem. Ask me how I know

The effect is subtle that you cannot even tell you are doing it,but it does happen just the same.It just makes it impossible to make the slight steering input needed at speed to maintain a straight line-it forces you to over-steer,whether you notice yourself doing it or not.  If you click is what I think you described( or what I described?) then that sound like your problem.

[Beekeeper]

I do believe the click is near dead center.  It was so faint, that I was looking on the garage floor for something under the tire.  And it does get worse with more speed.  Guess i better add stearing stem bearings to winter project list.  Thanks Shiny.  I was almost convinced it had to be the swingarm bushings.

[shinyribs]

It's a pretty easy job to do.You could do it in a couple hours-start to finish-taking your time.

When I first got my bike I thought that click was factory intentional to help the bike track straight.Kinda like a return to center feature.....boy, was I wrong! LOL

[Beekeeper]

The All Balz kits seem fairly reasonable.  I'll go to their site and see if they have any swingarm bushing upgrades while I'm at it.  Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction.

[shinyribs]

No problem. Glad to help.

Tommy Summers sells the Alllballz kits for $35. Good guy,too.

http://www.lowridersbysummers.com/parts/index.htm

[Beekeeper]

Do you guys use thread locker on the axle clamp nuts?  I've had the wheel off a number of times while repairing/replacing things.  I torque everything I assemble per the manual, but unless I keep missing it, the manual doesn't mention thread locker very often.    Having one of those clamps back off while riding would really ruin my day.

[shinyribs]

It surely wouldn't hurt to use it. I never have and haven't had an issue with it, Now I'll be paranoid....

[Beekeeper]

That's the way of it isn't it?  Work on something, then listen/feel if it's trying to tell you something.  It just seems to be something the manual doesn't give much detail on.

[Lucky 1]

Steering not stearing. 

[Lucky 1]

The manual does cover it.

[Beekeeper]

Thanks for the spellcheck.  I went back over both the Clymer and the downloaded PDF file.  The only mention of any locker that I can find on the forks, was the 6mm allen bolt in the slider base.  That's why I asked.  Seems like a large rotating mass that could transfer vibrations to fasteners.

[TOOLS1]

I always just use the lock washers, or locking flanged nuts. Never had a problem.
TOOLS

[Beekeeper]

Thanks