*** 1984 Honda 200ES front end wobble ***

[bkvette3]

My '84 200es developed a front end wobble which occurs around 20 MPH. NOS front axle installed this spring. Rim appears to be true and straight. All new bearings installed. Any ideas??? I am :wondering

Thanks in advance.

[tripledog]

Did you replace the steering head bearings too? They weren't very good when they were new, and likely much less so after over 3 decades of use.

[bkvette3]

Did you replace the steering head bearings too? They weren't very good when they were new, and likely much less so after over 3 decades of use.


Hello tripledog.

No - I did not replace the steering head bearings. I did think that might be the cause at first. I had the front end off the ground and could not find any sloppy movement or play. Seemed tight. If the steering head bearing was worn - wouldn't there be a vibration at all speeds. I am wondering if the front tire is out of round - there is a plug in the tire. Could that be a cause of the vibration at certain speeds???

[83ATC185]

slightly bent rear axle?

[ps2fixer]

I never had a wobble on my 200es and it's steering stem bearings were not that great. I'd side with 83ATC185 on the bent axle. I wouldn't think bearings would cause a vibration at different speeds unless your hitting 40-50mph like in a car.

On my old 350 warrior, nearing top speed it would wobble pretty bad and it was the rear tire wasn't centered perfectly on the rim, off road I'd never feel it, but on dirt/paved roads I could. I run high pressure in my tires, so it might have just been a weak spot in the tire too.

[bkvette3]

Never even thought about the rear axles as a possibility for the wobble - will investigate. Thanks all for the suggestions.

[arlaunch]

My 200es does a weird hop on pavement at or above 20mph.

I think it is because of the huge 25 inch tire and horrible front suspension. The hop definitely originates from the front

It does not do the "hop thing" off road though.

[Chopsaw]

Flat spot in the tire ?

[mendoAu]

I let a friend borrow my 84 200es to go deer hunting and of course he brought it back after it "tipped off the rear ramp". Has steered to the right ever since but....I don't have a problem with wobble unless on blacktop and let my hands off the bars. Then I get a front wheel back and forth wobble. But also it glides allot better if the rear wheels are matched with air pressure. That's where a really good pressure gauge comes in handy. After all we are measuring just a few pounds of pressure....not 50/60 pounds.

[BOB MARLIN]

Bent rear axles make the front wobble, especially on pavement.

[oscarmayer]

check the sprockets if they are worn they could be slipping or skipping and causing weird issues.

[thcowboy]

If the forks are bent/tweaked slightly to one side will that make it wobble?

[barnett468]

If the forks are bent/tweaked slightly to one side will that make it wobble?

yes, no, maybe.

put it on a milk crate so the rear wheels are off the ground

straighten a coat hanger then put around a 6 inch diameter loop in it so it will sit on the ground then bend the upright around 90 degrees around 6 inches up from the loop.

place the open end facing the center of the hole in the axle then have someone turn the other wheel t see if it is bent or just turn the wheel 1/2 turn then see if the hangar is no longer pointed towards the center of the hole.

if the axle is straight, place the open end next to the inside of the rim and around 1/8 th of an inch away from it, then have someone turn the rear axle for you while you look at the hangar and see if the rim is bent or just turn the wheel 1/4 turn at a time four times and see if the gap changes at any point.

you can place the hangar so the end of it is around 1/4 of an inch away from the center of the tire tread then turn the wheel 1/4 turn and check it.

you can also start the bike and put t in first gear and do the same thing or just look at it, if something is bent very much, you will easily be able to see it.

with the front tire off the ground, grab the front axe and try t pull it forward with mild to moderate force . . if it moves, the steering head bearings are loose or bad.


then start it and put it in second gear then look at the wheels from the side to see if the andjust

[bkvette3]

yes, no, maybe.

put it on a milk crate so the rear wheels are off the ground

straighten a coat hanger then put around a 6 inch diameter loop in it so it will sit on the ground then bend the upright around 90 degrees around 6 inches up from the loop.

place the open end facing the center of the hole in the axle then have someone turn the other wheel t see if it is bent or just turn the wheel 1/2 turn then see if the hangar is no longer pointed towards the center of the hole.

if the axle is straight, place the open end next to the inside of the rim and around 1/8 th of an inch away from it, then have someone turn the rear axle for you while you look at the hangar and see if the rim is bent or just turn the wheel 1/4 turn at a time four times and see if the gap changes at any point.

you can place the hangar so the end of it is around 1/4 of an inch away from the center of the tire tread then turn the wheel 1/4 turn and check it.

you can also start the bike and put t in first gear and do the same thing or just look at it, if something is bent very much, you will easily be able to see it.

with the front tire off the ground, grab the front axe and try t pull it forward with mild to moderate force . . if it moves, the steering head bearings are loose or bad.


then start it and put it in second gear then look at the wheels from the side to see if the andjust


Thanks - very good idea and suggestion - will try and report back.

[3wheelrider]

Flat spot in the tire ?

^^^This is pretty a common cause^^^^

[sammiefish]

when i first bought my es one of the rear wheel hubs castle nuts was a little loose...
that caused a wobble...