25+ years ago - something over 50 mph coming down a hill from Oregon into the Columbia River Gorge. 50+ mph on a nice smooth road and a terrible speed wobble began. I was a serious motorcyle rider and reverted to experience - I gripped the top tube with my knees and eased up the pressure on the handlebars. Wobble decreased but was still scary. Eventually got it under control.

The same thing happened several more times - rebuilt front end - new headset, new forks, new hub - no wobble for 15+ years. It was quite a few years before I was able to get my nerves back up to 50 mph downhill.

Coming down Lake Tapps highway (into Sumner WA) at 48 mph - huge speed wobble on a very narrow shoulder with Armco to my right and 50 mph traffic just two feet to my left. The wobble lasted for many, many seconds but I finally got it under control.

That was six years and two bikes ago. Now I can easily ride at 35 - 40 mph on gradual downhills where I am pedalling hard. BUT...on on long steep downhills where I could coast at 50 mph I am scared silly and do not have the nerves to allow the bike to get over 30 mph,

Coming down Mt Ranier the other day - no problem pedalling at 36 mph but on some really steep, new chip seal shaded and wet pavement, I was scared to death coasting at 25 mph. If I pedal against the brakes I can manage 30 - 35mph.

Wierd - EH?