Handling issues?

[MikeO]

You might have a rear shock failure - happened to me in 2004 when my rear Ohlins lost all damping. There was no external sign (oil leak etc) and it had me puzzled for days - I was sure I had a puncture, broken spokes, failed FD bearing etc. It made the bike awful to ride - an internal seal had blown (the shock had only been refurbed a few weeks earlier).

Mike

 

[Packer]

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 the front feels like it's pattering it may be time for another suspension service. Or change to Wilbers if you are feeling flush. They are made to your spec in terms of weight and the type of riding you do.

Also pull the plugs from the leading link pivots (above the cylinders) and check that the bearings aren't rusted and partially seized. I replaced mine prior to going to Alaska as they had rusty water swilling around them. Ditto the steering head bearings which may be sticking and causing your steering issues.

 

[Packer]

"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
__________________

No, in North America on Heidi knobbly tyres

About time we had an Alaska '12 reunion beer isn't it?

 

[unibar]

Thanks all.. has been booked into Steptoe 24th of the month.

I may get the rear shock serviced again for what it costs, ABE is 5 mins away from me, though having looked at the MOTs it was only done 20K back, and still maintains its height, which when it went the last time was a sign, also still feels taught going over speed humps.. where as when it was shot I would gently bounce around for a while!

I am likely to replace the bike next year once I have built something to keep a newer one in.... as the insurance wont insure me unless I do!

 

[monkeyboy]

I'm guessing you have checked for any play at all on the front wheel? I've not done a GS but my old R1100s has two bearings in the front wheel, left and right, different sizes. If one of them started to have a bit of play or wear, maybe it could induce this sort of behaviour?

 

[staikosn1]

How about a defected ball joint??
Its a common problem for bad handling....

 

[Aidan1150]

36psi front 42psi rear

Probably make one hell of a difference

That's the very first thing I would be doing.

2p

 

[DrAlf]

Some good advice above. Tyre pressures are kind of obvious and you would have thought that most people would check before posting on a forum?! I’ve had a few front tyres that have worn oddly which affected the handling. I’ve also had a loose telelever mount that caused all kind of handling oddness – as posted above, check for movement on the front wheel bearings and the telelever mount.

 

[unibar]

Thanks Guys

I have not the technical skills to Check Bearings etc, so will leave that to Steptoe when its in.. did check the last time the shock was rebuilt though and it was 20K three years ago, and seeing as I am familiar with its removal thats exactly what I have done, popping it into ABE today, hopefully have it back by next Friday as I have the day off and can re fit then.

I often speak about getting a new one.. but I think of this bike as family!.. and if a few quid keeps her going another couple of years I'd be over the moon.

Will update once the shocks back on.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Paul

 

[unibar]

The shocks back from ABE.. that was bloody quick!, didn't need new seals etc, so they just serviced it, gas and oil, re fitted to the bike and it seems a little taller, the gale force winds prevented me from taking it for a spin.

on pushing the arse down it does return in a more controlled manner.. so theres some hope.

Maybe tomorrow

 

[unibar]

Ok shock back on, forgot how "firm" it felt which my back doesn't agree with.. but the handling is a little better, I guess 2 up will be the test

 

[Old Codger]

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

Running at 33 front and 37.5 rear it will handle like a drunken camel on steroids on a late night run to the oasis
36F 42R

 

[unibar]

Codger.. I user to run it at those pressures.. but if anything that makes the front " more skippy".. also does no good for my back.

I experimented a fair bit and the compromise is up from standard by a tad for being fat (18 stone kitted up) this is my third set of trail attacks, and have run these pressures for the last 2 sets, so if anything that is my baseline constant, I know how that handles.

 

[unibar]

Ok.. 2 up.. panniers full of coke bottles to emulate a fortnights worth of her luggage and a birck or three in the top box and the handling is acceptable, I guess the rear shock did some good.

Only cost me 60 quid too, so with the change ( I expected 100 ) will get the front done too.

Then the service with Steptoe in a couple of weeks should see me fit!

Paul

 

[unibar]

The front is now in too.. I am going to try the original spring too.. when I initially put the hyperpro spring on the front I considered it to be a bit high, so having the original fitted back on the service.. try it out for a few weeks see if i like it, and if not get it swapped back over.

 

[Packer]

The front is now in too.. I am going to try the original spring too.. when I initially put the hyperpro spring on the front I considered it to be a bit high, so having the original fitted back on the service.. try it out for a few weeks see if i like it, and if not get it swapped back over.

High as in spring rating or ride height?

 

[unibar]

Packer
A bit of both I thought, when they were done the first time I only had a week of riding in between getting the rear serviced with the hyperpro fitted.. and then doing the same to the front.

I do 80% of my riding one up.. bit of luggage in the top box.. so in total at the back there's 115Kg. usually run the rear on 2 clicks because of the steering geometry, hopefully this will be a compromise.. if not all i need do is get the spring changed back, and have found someone who will do that for a tenner.

The rear with luggage 2 up is perfect, really perfect, all bumps dealt with in a very smooth manner, but on my own very taught... very very taught but still acceptable, as for the front one or two up feels the same very taught and pretty high.. we will see.

I need to try else I will have the "what if" on my mind.. and i don't sleep well as it is!

 

[unibar]

Right the front shock is on refurbed with the original spring, the first thing I noticed is it sits lower at the front, and everything is plushy, I can feel the forks rise on hard acceleration now, but no front lift which is what I was getting.
The steering does not seem as sharp, but its plushy.. and my back appreciates it I think!
I also notice a considerable rise from the front when parking up, which I never had with the hyperpro spring up front, suggesting that it was indeed a lot heavier duty.

 

[unibar]

Upped the preload on the front one click which puts the front up a touch, I am just happier with the height, I think I am pretty much there.

The other option would be to pop the hyperpro front back on and have it on the lowest setting to compare, but for now i think I am set for my holiday....

Thanks for all of the advice, always appreciated

 

[unibar]

I have had it serviced and all is good, I think the rear shock did the biggest part.

I am getting on and my back plays up so when I get back from touring I will put the old spring back on the rear too.. the firmness of the hyperpro puts the bike into "road bike" territory which would be fine if the govs budget dealt with potholes..but 2 up ton of luggage its perfect as it is, so overpsrung.

Paul