Q: Hi guys. I’ve recently acquired a 1984 Kawasaki GPz1100, the one with the first-Uni-Trak rear swing-arm. I’ve gone through everything and the bike runs surprisingly well except for one major problem, it seems to be quite ‘wobbly’ in a straight line and especially at relatively slow speeds.
It has new tyres (Bridgestone), new steering head bearings, new swing-arm bearings and new chain and sprockets; the bike has covered just over 70,000km. I also checked the wheel bearings while the wheels were out having new tyres fitted and, they felt nice and smooth to turn so nothing wrong there.
I did have one of these in the 80s and can’t remember it being like this on the road, so any added information will be greatly appreciated, and thanks for the best site in SA too; I’m on it every day.
Wayne.
A: It seems like you’ve gone through everything already but I’m concerned about those wheel bearings. Firstly don’t forget that they are probably over 30 years old! So instead of just turning them inside the wheels I would most certainly knock them out and wash them, then I believe you’ll discover a whole different picture, because I’ve already replaced many in the past on similar bikes.
Yes, they may feel smooth to turn but once removed they’ll definitely have sideways play and sound like a babies rattle when you shake them from side to side, I’ll guarantee!
So buy new ones with a dust seal on each side, three at the rear and, two at the front, not too expensive either. Just take them to a bearing specialist and they’ll match them up because they’re nothing out of the ordinary.
If there’s a couple of millimeters of sideways float in the bearing you can imagine how much movement they’ll transmit by the time it gets to the end of the tyre? That should cure your problem I’m sure.
