Fork Twist ? Loose?

crotchrocket

crotchrocket

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My bike is handling like shite. Very confidence uninspiring..... Thought it was suspension related again as the rear shock isn't 100% after they fitted a new one (see other thread) and the bike feels like its all over the shop. Stopped on the side of the road this evening and theres an element of twist in my forks which can't be right. If i put the bars full left lock and hold the throttle grip i can manipulate the front wheel a degree or two in each direction :eek: What is the joint between the fork stanchion tubes and the top yoke? I can't seem to find anything on it. The bolt directly under the yoke (pictured below) rotates easily with a spanner on both sides. I can't imagine thats right or that its some sort of rose joint at the top????

 
looking on eBay at a couple of parts. Unbelievably there is a bush at the top of the forks in the yoke. So there will always be play in the steering?? BUT i'm guessing the nuts should be tight :D
 

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Okay..... So they are done up correctly and it's all 'normal'? Suspension is causing dodgy handling? I can't believe there's rubber bushes in the steering
 
Start with the basics :D

Go and check your tyres. Profiles and pressures ... :thumb2
 
It's a rose joint at the top. How else can the forks change their angle as the suspension moves up and down. ;-)

Forks twist? You should see some of my older bikes.:eek:
 
As mentioned the bushes flex to allow the change of angle caused by the bottom pivot ball joint on the telelever, its not a rigid triple clamp set up, its not new on lc bmw telelever,
As Giles mentioned basics like tyre pressures and inspecting for uneven wear or shape are worth checking, as a previous failed shock may have affected the tyre,
Go back to the point of change where the symptoms became evident,
With your experience of the bike and growing concern it may be worth going back to bmw as they are close by, and possibly compare a demonstrator to prove your point,
Roamer
 
Cheers chaps!! Tyre pressures are ok and a look around the tyres today shows they are good too. I'll fire an email over to Vines, who have been very helpful with the bike issues in the past. This has only been an issue since the rear shock was replaced and the software updated.
 
With something like this you have at least satisfied yourself its not basic rider check stuff,
It sounds like vines are willing, but they have to make you feel more confident,
The bike has changed in your opinnion to cause significant concern,
The business case for repair can be long winded with warranty if no electronic faults stored, that is only part of the process, and ultimateley not your problem,
If all else fails comparison with a demo bike is a fair measure,
Good luck, Roamer
 
I had a wc GS get stuck in two up plus luggage (with Nutty in France ..) as a solo no luggage rider. It was very hard work to ride and particularly difficult to settle in a corner.

I've also had the same bike have its ESA fail whilst two up and constantly default to one up no luggage when the missus and I have been away fully loaded :blast

I tell yer ... ! You boys (Engineer!!!!) bang on about how wonderful your bike is .. There are some serious flaws in BMW's reliability ... !!

Hope you get it sorted - now you've checked the basics at least you can go to Vines with confidence that you're not going to look like a numpty when they find 18psi in the front tyre .. :D
 
ChazzyB said:
It's a rose joint at the top. How else can the forks change their angle as the suspension moves up and down. ;-)

Forks twist? You should see some of my older bikes.:eek:
Click to expand...

er its not a rose joint old chap,its a metalastic bush type thing,rose joints are all metal construction
 
The first 2013 LCs into the country were held back from the launch by a few days because of the small possibility of the fork tubes working loose - the BMW technicians put small punched dimples in the tubes to lock them to the top threaded section, the punch marks can be seen under the black plastic sleeve at the top of the tube.

Not sure if they carried on doing this on later bikes?
 
crotchrocket said:
The bolt directly under the yoke (pictured below) rotates easily with a spanner on both sides. I can't imagine thats right or that its some sort of rose joint at the top????

Click to expand...

That's perfectly normal. In fact you should be able to grip the fork stanchion (chrome tube) and twist/rotate it by hand.
 
Have you thought to check for movement in wheel bearings, swing arm and paralever pivots?
 
Spokes tight, wheels running true? Seem to remember you posted concerns earlier about wheels not running true, or was that someone else?
 
matchbox said:
Spokes tight, wheels running true? Seem to remember you posted concerns earlier about wheels not running true, or was that someone else?
Click to expand...

Yes all seems ok thanks. That was me!! but a different set of wheels and it turned out to be a poorly fitted front tyre! I've now put the off road tyres on those rims and all working OK
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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