Dodgey handling - help requested

[Gilson]

Hi all,

I've been searching, asking and playing, but I'm still no clearer to what my problem is. I've got a 2000 1150 40K and I've been noticing a gradual deterioration in my handling.

The symptoms are as follows, but difficult to describe, probbaly due to my lack of riding other bikes.

The bikes seems to handly most strangely as slow speeds and when accelerating around a corner. It feels as if the rear rear is sliding out (but it certainly isn't), but makes the arc of the turn feel different from the front to the back wheel.

At slow speeds it feels jittery and very difficult to keep straight, also seems to be affected by banding, lines ruts and damage to the road surface.

The rear sinks/the front rises a lot when I accelerate.

My tyres are 39 and 42psi, there is no movement to the rear swing arm, no bearings are worn. My rear tyre is only just starting to square off but it is relatively new - BT020s, third pair so I'm familiar with them.

I seem to think that it is my shocks, 40K seems to be a limit, but when I bounce the rear or front, it doesn't kangeroo as I would expect.

Do my descritons make sense to those more experienced and if so, do you think it is my shocks?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Twotter]

If anything I think your tyre pressures are a bit high. Do you ride regularly with a pillion / lots of kit ???

 

[Bronco Billy]

Head stock bearings.....?

Had this on other bikes when the Head stock bearings were nacked.

Get the front wheel off the ground and move the bars slowly from side to side and try moving forward and backwards checking for play. Do you feel any looseness or notching? Also check for this play by trying to move the front wheel from front to back when off the ground.

The wear creeps up on you and then all of a sudden the bike can handle like a 60 foot narrowboat.

Not had it on Bwm`s but on other makes.........

 

[Cookson]

Head stock bearings.....?

Had this on other bikes when the Head stock bearings were nacked.

Get the front wheel off the ground and move the bars slowly from side to side and try moving forward and backwards checking for play. Do you feel any looseness or notching? Also check for this play by trying to move the front wheel from front to back when off the ground.

The wear creeps up on you and then all of a sudden the bike can handle like a 60 foot narrowboat.

Not had it on Bwm`s but on other makes.........

What he said.

Also check the rear wheel & swing arm/paralever bearings.

 

[Trippy]

If anything I think your tyre pressures are a bit high. Do you ride regularly with a pillion / lots of kit ???

Strange I was going to say check their not too low untill I saw what your running em at. Does seem abit high, I'm on TK's and have 30 - 36.

 

[Rob Farmer]

I'd put my money on the Bevel box bearings being shot. Grab the top and bottom of the rear wheel and rock it from side to side. Any play and they are shot. £30 and a bit of sweating should see it right. Probably bolloxed shocks as well

 

[cookie]

tyre pressure is 2.5/2.9 bar IIRC, dunno what that is in old money but that's what my tourances are at with no wobbling.

check all paralever bearings then suspect knackered rear shock perhaps

 

[Steptoe]

The front balljoint can and does wear - pull the front wheel backward and forward, see if you can feel any movement or "knocks" -

With all the other suggestions, just about covers everything

 

[Gilson]

Many thanks guys.

RE: Tyre pressure, I seem to like them that hard, but probably because it masks the dodgey handling.

No movement on the back wheel at all, although I'll try again.

The front could be the problem, when I roll it into my garage, I do get a 'knock' as my front wheel goes over the door bump....hmmm.. in addition, when on the centre stand and I rock it on to the front wheel with the front break on, I also get a knock.... Is this the EUREKA moment?

Steppers, I've got 2K to my next service where I defo need a new clutch, it's likely a new "front bearing/ball joint/bevel box bearing" and I've got a couple of newish shocks.... I'll do the shocks, I'm feeling brave, but I'll call you next month, (new insurance required too! ouch...), to book it in....

Many thanks gents!

 

[Welshman]

Many thanks guys.

RE: Tyre pressure, I seem to like them that hard, but probably because it masks the dodgey handling.

No movement on the back wheel at all, although I'll try again.

The front could be the problem, when I roll it into my garage, I do get a 'knock' as my front wheel goes over the door bump....hmmm.. in addition, when on the centre stand and I rock it on to the front wheel with the front break on, I also get a knock.... Is this the EUREKA moment?

Steppers, I've got 2K to my next service where I defo need a new clutch, it's likely a new "front bearing/ball joint/bevel box bearing" and I've got a couple of newish shocks.... I'll do the shocks, I'm feeling brave, but I'll call you next month, (new insurance required too! ouch...), to book it in....

Many thanks gents!

Mine did the "Knocking bit" particularly on acceleration when the front wheel just lifted, it was the ball joint loose in the Telelever! removed the rubber cap retorqued it, no further problems!

Still handle horrible, but mine is the shocks.

Welshie

 

[Gilson]

Hi All, just replaced the shocks.... it was the shocks, handling is much improved. I suppose becuase of the telelever/paralever set up it's not as easy to know if your shocks are kaput.

The handling around corners is sublime and the low speed filter is much improved.. Thanks for you assistance in this matter....

Now for the clutch......

 

[Mouse]

tyre pressure is 2.5/2.9 bar IIRC, dunno what that is in old money

36 / 42 psi