Author Topic: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop  (Read 6557 times)

SeattleBP

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front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« on: July 26, 2009, 12:03:23 AM »
Hi -
I have a 2006 People 250 that I have not ridden all that much due to a heavy work related travel schedule.  I have recently begun riding it a lot more, and just recently have noticed a wobble in the front wheel when coasting down to a stop.  Usually, this wobble occurs at about 25-35 mph, while coasting slower on the way to a full stop.  Accelerating will cause the wobble to stop, and it does not seem to occur at higher speeds, nor when the throttle is open.  I have been able to make this wobble manifest by riding up and down my street and just repetitively coasting to that 25-35 mph threshold, and sure enough, happens every time.

So, my question is, has this happened to anyone else, and if so, what has been the likely culprit?  My Scooter is essentially new, with less than 2000 km on the ODO.  I can't imagine any part being worn out in such a small span of mileage, but I am looking for thoughts and suggestions.  Haven't taken it to the dealer yet...that whole work-travel thing again.  Any help/ advice of what to look for would be appreciated.  Thanks.

jprestonian

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2009, 12:57:17 AM »
My 2007 P250 does the exact same thing!  I've suspected that the front tire needs replacing, since it's been plugged twice. Another friend of mine who has an Xciting 500 recommended DynaBeads, but I haven't tried them, yet.

If you try either of these, or something else, please report back on this thread... I have a new tire (Pirelli) at the shop, but haven't scheduled the change-out, so I'll probably do that in the next couple of weeks, and let you know.
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kawzak

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2009, 01:26:22 AM »
check the steering head bearings. If thats ok check if the front tire is scalloped. hope this helps

axy

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2009, 09:16:19 AM »
Low speed front end wobble sometimes happens when you install a topcase but do not replace handlebar weights with heavier ones.
With some cases you get heavier weights. I had them replaced both on Kawasaki and on Beverly.
Yet on some bikes this does not happen at all.

This does not refer to jprestonian who does not have a topcase, if I remember correctly.
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(Past: Kymco People 250S, Piaggio Beverly 200, Kawasaki ZR-7S, Yamaha TW125, Kymco Cobra Cross 50, Peugeot Zenith 50, Piaggio NRG 50 mc2 72 cc Naraku kit)

olbull

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2009, 11:14:42 AM »
Hi -
I have a 2006 People 250 that I have not ridden all that much due to a heavy work related travel schedule.  I have recently begun riding it a lot more, and just recently have noticed a wobble in the front wheel when coasting down to a stop.  Usually, this wobble occurs at about 25-35 mph, while coasting slower on the way to a full stop.  Accelerating will cause the wobble to stop, and it does not seem to occur at higher speeds, nor when the throttle is open.  I have been able to make this wobble manifest by riding up and down my street and just repetitively coasting to that 25-35 mph threshold, and sure enough, happens every time.

So, my question is, has this happened to anyone else, and if so, what has been the likely culprit?  My Scooter is essentially new, with less than 2000 km on the ODO.  I can't imagine any part being worn out in such a small span of mileage, but I am looking for thoughts and suggestions.  Haven't taken it to the dealer yet...that whole work-travel thing again.  Any help/ advice of what to look for would be appreciated.  Thanks.


   This  isnt  a front  end or top box related  issue...Its  a  clutch/cvt  problem  and a  fairly  easy  one  to  diagnose..Because  the problem  occurs  as  you  slow  down  and  not   passing up thru 25-35 mph  it  isnt a  tire/balance  issue  or  a head  bearing problem. First  fix: hold  the rear  brake  lock  tight  and  rev  the  throttle  to  a  mid  range  and hold  for  a  few  seconds(nothing will break,lol) This  should remove  any  glaze on  the clutch  plates...My  bet is  it  works.... Jprestionian...Riding  a plugged  tire??? YIKES
Good Luck
OlBull
36000km of  smiles  
« Last Edit: July 26, 2009, 11:17:19 AM by olbull »
2007 P250



If  your  not the lead dog the  scenery never  changes

jprestonian

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2009, 03:46:58 PM »
Actually, I do have a Shad 29 on the P250.

Will try the clutch de-glazing suggested by OlBull. One thing that makes me think this could be the issue is that I also have some shuddering at takeoff, especially when the scooter is "cold."

As for the plugs, the punctures were both very close to midline, and my French neighbor said  in France, they would ride on such tires without a second thought. I *do* have a replacement tire at the shop... just need to work in some time to have it changed out.
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SeattleBP

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2009, 04:47:17 PM »
I will also try the possible fix suggested by olbull...I can't imagine it's a top-case issue, because I had my top case installed upon purchase, and it's only begun to do this recently.  Ditto for tires - pressure is on target, and the tread is fine.  I suspect if olbull's fix does not work, I will have to take it to the shop to check for a wheel issue or steering head bearings, just to be sure.  Thanks for the suggestions...

jprestonian

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2009, 06:53:05 PM »
I tried OlBull's suggestion for de-glazing the clutch surfaces... with mixed results. The severity and frequency of the wobble has lessened, somewhat, but not completely gone away. I'll check the clutch surfaces sometime soon to see if a little abrasion is called for. I may enlist the help of my GV 250-owning neighbor, reticulum, as he works on his quite a bit, and knows a lot of tricks I don't know.
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beeboytroy

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #8 on: September 07, 2009, 09:51:27 PM »
Hello, way back in January I wrote about the same problem. Except mine would wobble all the time. My responses to my post really didn't help out my situation. So I was pretty much resigned to living with the wobble. So after I passed the problem by my local mechanics they suggested the head bearing. But I did the head bearing test as well as the left/right test, and did the poor man's balancing. All seemed to work as advertised. But being motocross guys, they asked about the fork oil. Now I wouldn't suggest you go tearing into a new scooter. But mine is old and I am the third owner, so I said "What the Heck! I have a spare scoot anyways." Fork oil can get old and rancid, and will foam after a long period of time. If you research your Kymco book , you will notice nowhere does it mention anything about fork oil. Thats because they make it extremely hard to change. Basically its a plastic cap, held on by a wire ring, holding a big spring in place (and the oil back). So you have to remove your fender, front wheel, and pull off both forks. I destroyed both retainers in the removal process. But a couple of 1 1/4" snap rings from Ace solved that problem. Don't quote me on the size, I'm going off my failing memory. I poured the fork oil into a measuring cup and got approximately 150 ml from each. The old oil was as black as can be. New fork oil is clear like mineral oil. I used 7 wt which is an average weight. Bought it from the local Honda dealership. Put back in the same ml, with just a hair over to compensate for breakdown. With my wife's help we put the plug and snap ring back in. And installation was the reverse of removal. I swear the ride feels tighter and less wobbly. It may be that the factory short changed one of your forks, or one fork leaks. Or it may be as Ole Bull says, that its the People's pogo stick design. But anyways, thats my 2 cents.

jprestonian

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2009, 10:50:07 PM »
UPDATE: I've had the new Pirelli GTS 23 put on the front to replace the twice-plugged Kenda OEM tire. Again, a slight reduction of the wobble, but it's still there.

In other news, I'm using Fuelly now (six fill-ups), and just had my best tank: 66 MPG. This leads me to believe the MPG "sweet spot" for this bike is around 50 mph, as I did a lot of riding at that speed on Saturday after the last fill-up.
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axy

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #10 on: September 08, 2009, 09:24:13 AM »
UPDATE: I've had the new Pirelli GTS 23 put on the front to replace the twice-plugged Kenda OEM tire. Again, a slight reduction of the wobble, but it's still there.

In other news, I'm using Fuelly now (six fill-ups), and just had my best tank: 66 MPG. This leads me to believe the MPG "sweet spot" for this bike is around 50 mph, as I did a lot of riding at that speed on Saturday after the last fill-up.
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Worst I`ve seen - 44 mpg
Best I`ve seen - 62 mpg

Average I usually see while commuting daily - 56 mpg

The problem is that consumption sweet spot is usually boredom sore spot... I cannot drive 50 mph if I do not want to die of boredom... otherwise it would be much more comfortable and relaxing taking a bus, a car or going by foot. :)
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(Past: Kymco People 250S, Piaggio Beverly 200, Kawasaki ZR-7S, Yamaha TW125, Kymco Cobra Cross 50, Peugeot Zenith 50, Piaggio NRG 50 mc2 72 cc Naraku kit)

jprestonian

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Re: front wheel wobble while coasting to a stop
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2009, 03:20:10 AM »
I guess it all depends on where you ride. In my usual travels, 90% of my riding is in 40mph speed zones. So, I'm usually between 40-50mph much of the time, with a lot of stop-n-go, in-town travel.

My mileage suffers when I get on the intercity freeways, 'cause I have to WOT it to keep up -- no one does 55mph. It's 70+, all the time. And, no one here understands turn signals, or only switching one lane at a time. Or traffic signs.
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