ducatipaso.org

1988 Paso 750.
I am getting bad steering wobble at higher speeds. Increasing above 55 MPH. Getting worse with time. I can't find the problem. Any ideas? Rebuilt forks, new micheline radials, straight rotors, no play in steering head- or off centre "fall" when suspended in garage.
Please copy reply to smseigel@shaw.ca
Thanks...
Pasophist-

Sounds like you need to have the suspension set up properly. What you describe sounds like head shake, the entry into a tank slapper. Have you raised the rear ride or lowered the front height lately?

My Paso will only shake if I let go of that bars at 55. It's slight but it's there.

Thanks Jon:

I have adjusted the rear height somewhat, but I don't really know what I am doing. My goal was to soften it up a bit. I'm new to the bike and it seemed to have been adjusted for a heavier rider.
How does one go about adjusting front suspension height- and should the front or back go up or down to address my problem?
SMS (Pasophist)

Is your fork overly stiff? If so here's something to look into. I had wobble problems with mine quite a few years ago. My problem boiled down to a dampening (damping?) tube in the right fork leg that was upside down. I checked my manual and there's no exploded diagram and my memory's vague (I did this around 1990), but as I recall the tube was aluminum, something like 10 inches long and about 3/4" diameter. It is a constant diameter. It has holes on one end and not the other, is reversible, and as I recall the bottom bolt in the fork bolts into it. When I flipped this tube upside down it was like magic, curing the wobbling and dramatically improving the handling. If you can find an exploded diagram of the right fork tube & post it I'll identify the piece. Either way, check it out & report back.

Dave

Thanks Dave;

Good idea. If I am not mistaken, the shake may have begun after a fork service. My local ex Duc shop did seals and oil and checked out the fork while it was apart. I will investigate.

SMS