Author |
Message |
Skypilot
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 09:36 am: |
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So... The title pretty much sums it up. I have a 2008 1125R, and it leans to the left side which makes it pull left. I have to put a good deal of pressure on the right side of the handle bars for it to track in a straight line. It has never been dropped, the tires have plenty of life left, it happens no matter the road surface or which lane I am in. I have analyzed my riding position and determined that it is not responsible. I am open to any and all ideas... I am in Northeastern Ohio, so if anyone can recommend a good mechanic I would be grateful. Thank you in advance. |
J2blue
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 09:47 am: |
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Does the water drain counter clockwise where you live? Just kidding. The fact that it is "leaning" to one side seems the most odd. What does the vertical alignment of the rear wheel and frame look like? |
Skypilot
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 09:51 am: |
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J2BLUE, The guys at the HD dealership I take it to said that everything is aligned properly. |
Syonyk
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 09:54 am: |
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How do your wheel bearings look/feel on the rear? If they're loose/failing, the belt tension would tend to pull the left side of the wheel forward, sliding the rear to the right, turning the bike to the left. |
J2blue
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 10:07 am: |
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Steering head bearings? |
Kusib
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 02:10 pm: |
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Fork Seals... oil gone from the left maybe? had that experience on a 636 |
Skypilot
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 02:15 pm: |
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J2blue and Kusib, thanks for the ideas... I'm taking it back to the inept dealer tomorrow. I plan on standing over them and pointing out possibilities. |
Motorhead102482
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 02:21 pm: |
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I would say one of the wheel bearings, one of the forks, or that you have uneven tire wear on your tires from riding on the "crown" of the road on a normal basis. If it's tire wear, you would never even realize you did it. For example, if you ride toward the center of the same highway every day in the same lane both ways to work. Humans are creatures of habit. |
99buellx1
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 04:05 pm: |
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Been windy in Ohio lately? |
Motorhead102482
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 04:32 pm: |
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+1 99buellx1 that's definitely a valid question. |
Dannybuell
| Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 06:11 pm: |
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Are you right handed? |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2011 - 06:56 am: |
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do the roads in your area have a tall crown? |
Brumbear
| Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2011 - 07:44 am: |
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Crowned roads are a big issue with soft tires and tend to wear the left side of the tire Boogiman is spot on with that one. |
Duphuckincati
| Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2011 - 11:49 am: |
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Wheelie more. |
Skypilot
| Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 01:56 pm: |
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It turns out that the left front shock adjustment was a full turn less than what it should have been for a 200 lb rider, while the right was correct. The mechanic at the dealership swears that he had adjusted the front end properly. I tend to believe him because the problem has gotten progressively worst over time. The plan is to watch it and see if it happens again. |
Jdugger
| Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 02:23 pm: |
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> It turns out that the left front shock adjustment was a full turn less than what it > should have been for a 200 lb rider, while the right was correct. And your diagnosis is having the forks set differently is an issue? |
Skypilot
| Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 02:43 pm: |
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Jdugger, Yes, I've ridden approximately 300 miles since yesterday when the forks were adjusted properly and there is no more leaning or pulling. |
Sprintst
| Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 02:47 pm: |
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Has anyone else ridden it and said the same? |
Jdugger
| Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 02:47 pm: |
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One of two things were the cause: 1. Your triple clamps are loose. 2. It's all in your head. |
Skypilot
| Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 02:50 pm: |
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Sprintist, Yes, my brother-in-law, whom is a CSI experienced rider and has a BMW S1000R rode it and agreed that it was pulling and leaning left. |
Blake
| Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 05:15 pm: |
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Pulling left I can imagine; leaning left, not so much. |
Blake
| Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 05:16 pm: |
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And I mean no political connotation in that! LOL! |
Indy_bueller
| Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2011 - 04:04 pm: |
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Mine feels that way when the tires are low on pressure. |