fred@varian.UUCP (Fred Klink) (12/11/84)
90% (99% ?) of the time speed wobbles are related to having a loose headset (the bearing and race combination that holds the fork to the frame). Remove as much weight as possible from the bike without disassembling it. Pick up the frame in one hand and, with the other hand, push and pull the fork toward and away from the frame to see if there is excessive play. Actually, any play is excessive! If this is the problem you'll need to take it to the shop or obtain a set of appropriate spanners for your headset-- one to hold the cup in place and one to tighten the lock nut. This is a problem in successive approximations just like any other bearing adjustment. The cup should be cranked down slightly *too* tight and then the lock nut tightened, at least that's what works for me. I've seen headsets that just could not be satisfactorily adjusted for low-speed handling and high speed runs and if this is the case I'd recommend you buy a new headset.