handling questions

Although I think the world of my bike, I can't help but think it could handle better than it does. When I get up into hyper speed (way above 85mph) and I hit a little bump or something, I'll get a little wobble which goes away by itself. I can't tell whether it originates at the front or the back wheel. My steering neck and swingarm bearings had no perceptable play in them when I had my bike apart last winter, so I don't think its because of anything like that. I'm suspecting that maybe its just frame flex. Do you guys experience the same thing with your bikes? Any fixes available without welding up my frame? I'm not in the mood to take my bike apart right now.

I wouldn't think these frames would flex that much. Did you check your swingarm for side to side play? When I go at such speeds I have a wobble but thats just the wind, the wind here in Colorado gets crazy on the highway.

Yeah, I checked my swingarm for side to side play, torsional play, fwd and aft play throughout its range of motion and it all felt solid. Same with the front end, nice and tight. But like I said, it only happens briefly and it goes away (like one or two little oscillations), unlike my old Honda 750F that would wobble like crazy and make me pull back hard on the bars to get it to stop wobbling. It doesn't bother me that much, but I was just wondering if anybody else feels the same thing and what they might've possibly done to fix it.

I'd suggest checking for the following:

Wheel and swingarm bearings for damage or wear.
Rear wheel for proper alignment.
Tires for un-even wear and/or cuping and have adequate air pressure.
Inner fork springs measure equally in length and forks have the required amount of fork oil in each tube.
Fork tubes are equally aligned in the fork trees.

No that's not normal. I suggest that you remove the swing arm and replace the bushings or bearings. My KZ900 used to shake it's head when leaned over in turns if I would hit any kind of bump. It took me two years to discover that the stock bushings were worn out.

KZCSI

Could also be steering head bearing dented, worn, or just too tight. Best way I've found to check for dents is to put it on the center stand, then slightly over tighten bearing and move handlebars slowly back and forth, you'll feel the dents if they're there. Be sure and adjust the bearing again when your done checking.

It could also be as simple as incorrect tire pressure.

Well I did checked the front end for rough feeling bearings, but it didn't slightly over tighten them. Maybe that would make a difference. But first, I'll check my tire pressures. In all honesty, I haven't even checked them for a while except for giving them a squeeze before I ride. But as far as my swingarm, there isn't the slightest bit of play in it. Now I haven't checked it with a dial indicator on it, but I've been doing aerospace machinist work for thirty years and I do know what worn bushings and bearings feel like.
And I've never taken the forks apart yet either, so the oil and springs may be suspect. At any rate, it only happens when I'm doing WAY over the speed limit, and I hit a bump. Otherwise it's smooth as silk. My speedo only goes up to 85mph though, so I couldn't guesstimate how fast it's going when it does it.
Come to think of it, I've seen those superbikes on the speed channel do the same thing. They'll come out of a hard turn and nail it and I'll see their bikes wobble just a little bit, just like mine does. Maybe it has to do with harmonics and the gyroscope effect of the tires?

Would also assure tires balanced and both rear shocks are okay.

If not already done, would also consider going to tapered bearing in steering head.

Patton wrote:

Would also assure tires balanced and both rear shocks are okay.

Very good point!

It could be something as simple as the rear shocks either being adjusted at diff settings (ex: left set at #3 and right set at #5), the mounting bushings being worn/missing or the mounting nut being loose/missing.