Gary Chottiner wrote:
> Ever since, I've experienced VERY SERIOUS
>shimmying when I've got my large Beckman panniers mounted. The bike is
>almost unrideable when the panniers are fully loaded but is fine with
>lighter panniers and lighter loads. If the rear wheel bearing is the
>slightest bit loose, things get noticeably worse but I think everything on
>the bike is pretty well perfectly adjusted now. \
>
>
As the owner of one of the infamous short-wheelbased BMW's motorcycles mentioned in an earlier post, I can attest that loaded panniers can contibute to severe shimmy. I just don't ride mine two-up and loaded for touring. BMW added a couple of inches to the length of the rear subframe and fixed the problem. Rake, trail and wheelbase relationships definitely contribute to shimmy. I suspect improper alignment, weight distribution and other subtle issues may also do the same. There are too many experts with differing opinions to limit the explanations to just one.
I just can't buy the one about perfect frame either...
Warren Young
Toronto