Handling issues?

[unibar]

Hi

I am planning a big old trip in 6 weeks, have the bike booked in to Steptoe in a few weeks time.

I have noticed the front of the bike feels a little skippy, I had fitted some bar risers recently which I know effects steering, and also have a new rear fitted in the last 300 miles, the front is pretty much perfect too.. all running at the pressures I have been using for years.

I noticed 2 up that the bike suffered a lot of vibration on certain road surfaces, and if I let off the bars it wanted to steer right, and i mean really steer right!

Took off the bar risers, made sure there was no binding of the brakes or movement of the back and all looks good.

I have noticed a VERY leaky fork seal, would this effect the steering?

The bikes been dropped some 5 years back.. but just in a car park, and showed no ill signs until now.

Any suggestions welcomed, as at this rate I will be cancelling my hotel rooms as I'm prone to being paranoid.

Thanks in advance

Paul

 

[Martyn H]

You're being paranoid. At least wait until Steptoe has given you his verdict. No point going to a specialist if you don't take heed of his advice, IMHO.

 

[unibar]

Martyn

You are dead right, just testing the water to see if there is
A anything I could look at.
B If its "normal behaviour" for the bike

No point in going on a 3 week tour of Italy if you aren't going to enjoy it!

 

[Flipfly]

Pulling to the right when you take your hands off the bars

Carry on, there's nothing to see here

I forgot to plug in my intercom yesterday and gave bht a giggle as I weaved around trying to plug it in on the move

I also have bar risers and they make no difference imho.

What tyres are you running and what pressures?

 

[unibar]

Fair comment, I'd never even thought of doing it before but something did not feel right, even with the camber pushing you left constant adjustments are needed to keep it in a a straight line as it still wanted to go right.

Usually the bike is just fine but this is a recent concern due to the old bike.. lots of miles 2 up in another country scenario which is impending. I wouldn't mind having a quick spin on another for a comparison, may just all be in the head, but the front does feel odd.

I have Trail attacks, the front has been on there for a year now, but you can still see the trail attack logo, so virtually no wear. the rear is a few weeks old

I usually run 33 front and 37.5 rear.. proportionally up from recommended as I am a fat git, this is my third set of these and have had no issues before.

Would the fork seal effect geometry? I will get Neil to check it out

Paul

 

[Packer]

My bike (1150GS) has never steered straight hands off and I've had it from new. I have to sit off the side of the saddle and lean the bike what feels like 20 degrees to the vertical to go hands free in a straight line.

It has now done just short of 90,000 miles. The last 15,000 were with bar risers and I can detect no difference in the feel or handling fo the bike, the footpegs (raised from standard) still hit the tarmac and Tourances melt on track. You're being unnecessarily paranoid

It does start to weave with loaded panniers above 110mph though when the Wilbers are set squidgy, touring, bumpy road soft.

 

[boatman]

"It does start to weave with loaded panniers above 110mph though when the Wilbers are set squidgy, touring, bumpy road soft."

On the Autobann in Germany of course
__________________

 

[unibar]

Thanks Packer, 2 up i told her to lean over.. i was leaning left too.. but the bugger still wanted to go right, it just didn't feel good, it may be incidental that I have only just "discovered" this behaviour.. but the front end is a little skippy for sure which is the main concern

 

[boatman]

Thanks Packer, 2 up i told her to lean over.. i was leaning left too.. but the bugger still wanted to go right, it just didn't feel good, it may be incidental that I have only just "discovered" this behaviour.. but the front end is a little skippy for sure which is the main concern

If you are going to see St Eptoe i believe you will be in GOOD hands for whatever wants sorting out

 

[Flipfly]

Fair comment, I'd never even thought of doing it before but something did not feel right, even with the camber pushing you left constant adjustments are needed to keep it in a a straight line as it still wanted to go right.

Usually the bike is just fine but this is a recent concern due to the old bike.. lots of miles 2 up in another country scenario which is impending. I wouldn't mind having a quick spin on another for a comparison, may just all be in the head, but the front does feel odd.

I have Trail attacks, the front has been on there for a year now, but you can still see the trail attack logo, so virtually no wear. the rear is a few weeks old

I usually run 33 front and 37.5 rear.. proportionally up from recommended as I am a fat git, this is my third set of these and have had no issues before.

Would the fork seal effect geometry? I will get Neil to check it out

Paul

More than likely the new tyre effect. Mine felt a little more lively when I put the new rear on.

Dry roads also mean travelling a little bit quicker which introduces new sensations.

The suspension may be getting tired, I know mine is, doesn't stop me from breaking the law so I'm just living with it for now

 

[unibar]

The suspension still feels ok.. was overhauled by ABE about 19K back, so will need doing again soonish, had hyperpro springs put on the last time which helped, especially 2 up.

Neil does all my servicing, so hopefully he can get me sorted out as I leave 2 weeks after its booked in.
That said I may try to get the seal done earlier if I can as I've a couple of K left before the service interval

 

[monkeyboy]

How much of a fat git are you

Even not sitting up straight might be doing it if you're really heavy. Get someone to follow and check your deportment Steptoe will test ride it anway won't he.

 

[unibar]

I have piss poor posture/ deportment etc etc, but both of us deliberately leaning off to the left and the fecker still wanted to go right!

Found an old thread with a guy from Dublin who had similar issues.. and levelling the fork oil helped him... maybe there is hope that the fecked seal and resulting loss is all the issue is, though I understand the oil is just for lubrication.. the skipping started mid 400 mile ride a few weeks back..pretty much the time the seal went.. fingers crossed for an easy fix

 

[sycomoto]

In theory

If you have one fork tube out of balance with the other it could twist the wheel on its spindle but I doubt it would cause a turn right. Have you checked he front wheel bearings for play and also the rear swing arm. They would be my first ports of call.

 

[unibar]

Thanks

The Rear is ok, and the front i did not check for play.. will do that, but it does run nice and smoothly.. i already checked for binding.

Paul

 

[Neil W]

Faulty front trail attack ?, common problem

 

[unibar]

Neil.. the front trail attack has been on nearly a year, and has been great.. handling issues are recent

 

[Flipfly]

If you have one fork tube out of balance with the other it could twist the wheel on its spindle but I doubt it would cause a turn right. Have you checked he front wheel bearings for play and also the rear swing arm. They would be my first ports of call.

Can't really do that with the telelever front end Si, the fork tubes are really only a connection to the bars and frame. The oil is only in there for lubrication and has no damping properties AFAIK.

Certainly check the rear pivot bearings and wheel bearings

St.Eptoe will be all over it like a rash I'm sure.

 

[sycomoto]

Been and looked at mine

Can't really do that with the telelever front end Si, the fork tubes are really only a connection to the bars and frame. The oil is only in there for lubrication and has no damping properties AFAIK.

Certainly check the rear pivot bearings and wheel bearings

St.Eptoe will be all over it like a rash I'm sure.

And yer right, from the bottom yoke down its solid. But what I did think was if the tele lever bushes were worn you'd get play that could cause the problem. Both the rear pivot point and the front pivot should be checked

 

[Old Codger]

Try

36psi front 42psi rear

Probably make one hell of a difference