'08 YZ 85 Head Shake

[MotoMan]

Anyone else out there have kids that experience this on the small yamaha?

Jace's forks are pretty far down (or above) in the triple clamps and I thought raising the front end some may help.

Just thought I would see if any of you had some tricks on the little bike first. All clickers are stock and sag is at 85mm.

[cowboyona426]

Not sure how much it would help, but if my 450 gets to feeling twitchy making sure I'm squeezing it good with my legs seems to help.

[char393]

Not to ask a stupid question... oh heck, I will anyway.

But have you checked the steering head bearing? Mine didn't come with much grease from the factory. I've noticed headshake is an issue when it's time to service it as well.

Just a thought.

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by char393

Not to ask a stupid question... oh heck, I will anyway.

But have you checked the steering head bearing? Mine didn't come with much grease from the factory. I've noticed headshake is an issue when it's time to service it as well.

Just a thought.

Yeah I sure have, and of course there was nothing on it at all from the factory.....however....I haven't looked to see if perhaps it might have come loose after I re-assembled it....I will check that.

---------- Post added at 06:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:24 PM ----------

Originally Posted by cowboyona426

Not sure how much it would help, but if my 450 gets to feeling twitchy making sure I'm squeezing it good with my legs seems to help.

Yep....I told him that one loooong time ago.

[yzernie]

How far down did you slide the forks. Also, I know they are pretty softly sprung out of the box and I wonder if he is out performing the stock stuff and in need of stiffer springs.

[schwen_108]

Take it to a suspension guy, have him set it up for your little man's weight.

That stopped the headshake I had back when I had my 85.

[boydy]

Not really sure but how far do the forks sit through the triple clamps? the lower the front end the better it should handle high speeds I would have thought as it is shortening the wheelbase where as raising the front or dropping the forks lower would have the opposite effect and make it more stable at higher speeds. I don't know though but it sounds great

[pjg351]

Jim, front forks need to be through the clamps at least a 1/4 inch, if it's a big wheel the front springs will be fine, they are heavy enough for a kid unless he is really big. Stiffen up the clickers, and remember rebound is on top and compression on the bottom just to confuse us parents a bit more

[MotoMan]

I am pretty sure you just solved it Pete....the bike came with the forks above the triple clamps like 1 1/2"....I thought it may be too far, I will move them down some and see how that goes!! Thanks everyone!!!

[MXtras]

Squeeze the front brake and push straight down on the footpeg - do the front and back squat the same?

I tend to believe you might have the front too stiff. Just a guess.

Scott