Front wheel/fork/handlebar wobble
 

Hi folks,

I don't know if I'm describing my issue correctly since when I searched for "front wheel wobble" I came across solutions to problems different than my own. Anyway, I have a 1996 Trek Fast Track 470 that I found and rebuilt, and when I stand up to peddle, I get this sort of wobble/wiggle that makes the whole fork/stem/handlebars go back a forth a bit. No problem when I'm seated. It happens regardless of speed (although I'm not usually going fast when standing up to pedal -- usually climbing or starting from a stop). I have not have the wheels trued, but side to side wobble has been minimal from me just eyeballing it.

I'm wondering if this may have to do with the fork being slightly bent or the handlebars being out of alignment, so I purchased a 32mm/15mm Park Tool wrench and hope to align the fork and handlebars soon. In the meanwhile, any other suggestions? Would my LBS be able to straighten the fork if its a slight bend? Many thanks.

Bent fork,bent anything will not cause this.....

If everything moves as one piece(wheel,fork,handlebars)Check your headset bearings....Turn front wheel 90*,apply front brake,try to push bike forwards.....Put finger on top headset cup and feel for movement.....adjust until play goes away or slight preload.

If you repacked the headset,when the grease gets squeezed out,it will loosen some.

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll try this shortly.