Hey all...

What is the torque spec on the steering stem nut off an '03 RK?

Also, what would cause violent head shake on this bike? Happens right at 48-50 MPH. If you gas it from 45-55 hard, it will not shake at all....just on decel right at that 48-50 MPH range. But, if you slowly work up in MPH....this bastard will damn near turn sideways at that 48-50 MPH range....crazy.

Some background info:
*15,500 miles on the bike (started doing this at 11,500)
*original front tire
*original owner(mutual friend) hit a curb at MB Bike week three yrs ago doing about 30+MPH, however...he put a lot of miles since then with no problems.
The mutual friend had a baby and the bike sat more than it was rode for the past yr...since the day my friend went to pick it up it has done this....he has mastered driving it this way and has been lazy about getting a tire.....I finally went to Iron Pony and bought a new one... Dunlop D402 MT90-16 Single Wide Stripe.

This is my buddies bike...I rode it last night to my house where we are going to replace the tire and use Dynabeads to balance....I hope it fixes this problem...cause it is fu&kin scary!!!

Thanks all

 

follow the directions for the swing away test for steering head bearing adjustment in the service manual...just torqueing the nut will not fix the problem if it is out of adjustment. the nut just places clamp load on the other components after they are adjusted correctly.

 

Man that thing sounds like a major widowmaker right now ... I THINK the fall away may be 1 to 2", verify the spec and procedure or that bike can ruin your whole day (life)

 

You need a new front tire. There has got to be a separation causing this

 

while you've got the wheel off for the tire, i would suggest checking for runout on the wheel, it may be out of whack. if it's the 06 rk classic it's got wire spoke wheels right? you may have an issue with the wheel itself. very likely, and best to check it before installing a new tire. you may need to replace the wheel itself.