Posts: 374
Threads: 25
Likes Received: 28 in 8 posts
Likes Given: 1
Joined: Oct 2015
So I never found anything loose or worn. Front and rear tires are balanced and in good shape. I even removed and inspected the swingarm. One thing I did find is that the headlight/signal mount moves a lot while at high speeds. It’s mounted between the triple clamps with rubber. I put a zip tie around each signal and cinched them up to the forks to limit movement and guess what, the shimmy/wobble is gone!! Now I just need to find a better solution. Probably need new rubber mounts for headlight assembly.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Posts: 770
Threads: 16
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jan 2019
That's amazing, MMC! Thanks for letting us know. Another possible solution to memorize for the future!
Posts: 1,298
Threads: 39
Likes Received: 15 in 8 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2025
MMC just read your previous with the suspected play in the swingarm, when you removed yours did you notice wear marks on the long bolt?
Very happy it's sorted out now with the zip ties, and the frame can be adjusted, it has three support legs from memory.
Posts: 374
Threads: 25
Likes Received: 28 in 8 posts
Likes Given: 1
Joined: Oct 2015
(07-09-2019, 07:35 PM)max_imp Wrote: MMC just read your previous with the suspected play in the swingarm, when you removed yours did you notice wear marks on the long bolt?
Very happy it's sorted out now with the zip ties, and the frame can be adjusted, it has three support legs from memory.
There is some indication of wear on swingarm shaft, barely noticeable. I could hardly feel it running my fingernail across it. Only on the needle bearing side.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Posts: 1,298
Threads: 39
Likes Received: 15 in 8 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2025
Thanks for that, i would say you found the problem, wisedrum had the same thing happening, he just tightened the nut up and solved it that way.
Could be that it was ok when the bike is new and gave way over time, strictly speaking there should be no signs on the shaft whatsoever if the inner bushes are locked in, i just looked at the gap with the nut undone and the construction of the frame and decided that i would be better off if i placed a shim in there so that's what i did, very pleased for your good result and thanks for the feedback
Posts: 3,881
Threads: 115
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2013
It is always nice when people report the solution to their problem ; thanks .
Posts: 2,590
Threads: 28
Likes Received: 6 in 2 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
(07-09-2019, 11:30 AM)MMC_imp Wrote: So I never found anything loose or worn. Front and rear tires are balanced and in good shape. I even removed and inspected the swingarm. One thing I did find is that the headlight/signal mount moves a lot while at high speeds. It’s mounted between the triple clamps with rubber. I put a zip tie around each signal and cinched them up to the forks to limit movement and guess what, the shimmy/wobble is gone!! Now I just need to find a better solution. Probably need new rubber mounts for headlight assembly.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've heard about this before. Many years ago on the old Nighthawk forum, many people complained about transient shimmy issues with no clear source (all the usual suspects were eliminated). I remember that one poster who'd had such issues was replacing his front turn signals (mounted on long rubber stalks) and happened to ride his bike on a short trip without front signals. He immediately noticed that the shimmy problem disappeared. To verify his suspicion, he reinstalled the turn signals and the problem returned.
The Nighthawk turn signal stalks in this case were quite flexible and you could definitely watch them move when the bike was on the road. The problem only occurred at certain speeds, loads and road conditions.
My Nighthawk will occasionally exhibit the issue when heavily loaded in the rear (i.e camping gear or passenger), but it's a transient shimmy between 45mph and 55mph. I've never really worried about it. Very strange.
Posts: 704
Threads: 27
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2015
I believe here is your problem:
ContiGo! (Light Motorcycles)
More Details
City tire for light motor bikes.
CB is NOT light
I had looked at these tires too. decided not to purchase.
Posts: 374
Threads: 25
Likes Received: 28 in 8 posts
Likes Given: 1
Joined: Oct 2015
(07-10-2019, 08:42 PM)jimgl3_imp Wrote: I believe here is your problem:
ContiGo! (Light Motorcycles)
More Details
City tire for light motor bikes.
CB is NOT light
I had looked at these tires too. decided not to purchase.
Yeah, I’m not happy with this tire at all!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Posts: 374
Threads: 25
Likes Received: 28 in 8 posts
Likes Given: 1
Joined: Oct 2015
(07-10-2019, 11:48 PM)MMC_imp Wrote: (07-10-2019, 08:42 PM)jimgl3_imp Wrote: I believe here is your problem:
ContiGo! (Light Motorcycles)
More Details
City tire for light motor bikes.
CB is NOT light
I had looked at these tires too. decided not to purchase.
Yeah, I’m not happy with this tire at all!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yeah, I’m not happy with this tire at all!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
But the shimmy did stop after securing the front signals like I did.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
