How many toqure pounds

[Road Rider]

I own a 2008 Roadsmith that's raked . It shimmies at 85 mph . I was told the cause might be the bearings are not tight enough. I am getting the progressive cartridges installed because of a shock seal leak and the mechanic is going to have it torn down . So how many ftlbs should the tapered bearings be? I have a new front trike tire on the front with ride-on installed.

 

[Gold Rush]

I own a 2008 Roadsmith that's raked . It shimmies at 85 mph . I was told the cause might be the bearings are not tight enough. I am getting the progressive cartridges installed because of a shock seal leak and the mechanic is going to have it torn down . So how many ftlbs should the tapered bearings be? I have a new front trike tire on the front with ride-on installed.

Howdy Don. To answer your question, usually 35 to 40 pounds (yes that is more then the book says but it is a good number).

That being said, I really do not think the steering head bearings are your problem. There are a few other things more likely to cause high speed vibration/shimmy. First thing that comes to mind is the drive shaft. Remember, our Roadsmith conversions use a differential that is centered while the GL1800 engine output shaft is at the lower right side. The causes an eccentric motion during rotation. The result is vibration. You can not totally remove that. My 2015 has done it since day one.

Other things you might check is front and rear wheel balance/tire pressure. There is a phenomenon called lateral imbalance that all tires have. The wider the tire the worse this gets. On a car or truck it's not as noticeable because of the vehicle weight but on our trikes it is a real irritant. The best thing to counter that issue is to have your rear tires Road Force balanced. Not all places can do that so you may have to search around a bit but believe me is worth it. As with any type of spin balancing, Road Force balancing can not be done if you have balance beads or RideOn in your tires. That would have to be removed before the balancing.

I know I gave you way more information then asked for. Vibrations and shimmy are my least favorite things so I hope you solve some, if not all, of yours. As I mentioned early on the drive shaft thing may prevent 100% smoothness... :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[Road Rider]

Any and all advise is highly appreciated. That's what is so great about this web site. :clapping: I will check out the u joints.

 

[paid4c4]

As usual Gold Rush is giving you good advice. I've always thought force balancing was the best way to balance tires. Walker makes the best road force balancing equipment; http://www.hunter.com/wheel-balancers/road-force-touch
Bill

 

[mhgoldwing]

My local chevy dealer uses road force balancing and I take my wheels off and carry them in for balancing. (avoids any unnecessary questions.

 

[Gold Rush]

My local chevy dealer uses road force balancing and I take my wheels off and carry them in for balancing. (avoids any unnecessary questions.

Not a bad idea. I have heard some shops will refuse if on a trike. I do the same. It is just easier that way for me... Although, the place I take mine know they are off a trike and don't care. To them, wheels are wheels not matter what they are mounted on. :xszpv::xszpv: