As of Saturday evening, 07/21/07, I am currentlyhandicapped do to a motorcycle crash. I was on a bone stock 1977 KZ1000. I hit about 120 mphthe highway. WhenI let off thegas, I started getting speed wobble. The first couple seconds were minor wobble,as my speedslowedthe wobble becameworse, seconds later the bike was skipping side to side at about 90 mph.At this point, I wasbarley hanging on the bike andthen was thrown off the bike.I was originally in the left lane, and was thrown to the left. Now I'm sliding on the grass going 90 mph.After a 100ft + I finally came to a stop laying on my back. Soon enough people pulled over and helped.I'm glad I was wearing a helmet, for it was verybanged up. Had a synthetic type jacket and gloves. All this helped allot. The jacket and gloves are verychewed up, but sparing my body. So as of now, I have minor road rash on my arms, hip and legs. My wrist,knee an ankle are swollen.

Speed Wobble

My KZ is not to banged upand I plan on riding it again after I fix a few things, but as far as the speed wobble... Is there ways toconquer this problem? Firmer suspension, different suspension, thicker fork tubes to minimize shake, more dampening, smooth tires... These are all ideas going through my mind, but I haveno clue if any of this will work and don't want to find out the HARD WAY...

If anyone has some ideas to shoot or knows from experience that certain things do work, I'd love to here from you.

 

Dang! That's a sad story to read.[] I'm really glad you at least were wearing riding gear. But it was stupid riding this fast on the highway with other drivers around. Check out this earlier post: https://www.kawasakiforums.com/m_160..._1/key_/tm.htm

A wobble could come from a number of factors. The most obvious would be wheel balance, or bad tires. Check all pivot points for wear or slop. (Like the steering stem, rear swingarm.) Most bikes can develop a wobble no matter how new or old it is. Could even be a slight wiggle you caused while steering the bike.

Hope you get her back up and running. Those classics are great to ride. Just be safer in the future.

 

this the sort of thing a steering damper will help prevent?

speed wobble / tank slappers?

 

If you can find one to fit a '77 KZ1000. I'm sure one could be modified to fit.

 

Get an aftermarket steering damper, and also a fork stabilizer (kinda looks like a very big double end closed box wrench.) This goes about midway down on your fork tubes and will help lessen/diminish the quasi-harmonic vibration when you let off the gas and the rotating tire begins to transmit the slightest balance issues through your forks. The older bikes are notorious for this kind of speed wobble due to the lighter/smaller forks.

 

I am not sure on that one. Suspension, tires, frame, and rider play the biggest part on any wobbles.

Glad that you are ok for the most part motorman

 

Sorry to hear you went down. When I frist got my 78 Z1R I a made a speed run. At about 100-115 got a bad one. Got it pulled over (a lot of luck) took a while to get my *** to let go of the seat. I went through all bearings, new tires, lowered bike, installed steering damper. Hasn't happened again.

 

The old Z's were notorious for that. Friend of mine had one and experienced a similar "thrill." He switched to Suzuki. (Wuss...) [:'(] Real men ride green.

 

hahaha, and here I was thinking about donating my damper to charity! I will just keep it on the shelf.

 

That's a pretty scary story. I have a 78 turbo kz1000 drag bike that I drive on the street. HP is somewhere over 300. I have a Ceriani front end and I have rocketed to 110 MPH with no problems, but I have to say I never considered a high speed wobble. I better rethink my driving habits.