| Author | Message | ||
     Pmjolly |
For the last few rides, my front end feels a little twitchy. I did the search function for front end, and did not find what I'm looking for. I think I read somewhere to make sure everything is lined up correctly, you need to bounce the front end before tightening the front axle? I recently put on new tires. It feels like the front tire is wandering around a bit. It's like the front wheel is not following the same line as the back wheel, like riding on grooved pavement, just not as bad. Should I go loosen the axle and bounce the front end? I guess it couldn't hurt. | ||
| Kinder |
Have you changed the model of tires you normal run? Air pressure correct/ same as what you were running? | ||
| Pmjolly |
I went from the original Corsa III to the replacement Diablo Rosso Corsas front and rear. I check my pressure before every ride. it's the same as always, by the book. 36 rear, 34 front | ||
| Jdugger |
I'll be at ECR tomorrow if you want to come out. I have the tools to make sure it's steering true. To bounce the front end, it's actually more important to just loosen the pinch bolts. | ||
| Pmjolly |
I never bounced it when I put the wheel back on. I didn't think it would make that much difference. I'll go out to the garage try that right now. The MC Hooligans are going for a ride tonight. I might try it out tonight. How do you determine if it is steering true? I feel it both going in a straight line, and in the turns. | ||
| Jdugger |
Not bouncing the suspension *can* cause it to bind. If you can get a buddy to bounce it while you watch, look for the fork seals to "shudder" instead of go smoothly. To check for steering/alignment problems I have this really huge caliper with cone centers I can stick on the axle and measure each side for alignment. Where are you guys riding tonight? | ||
| Pmjolly |
I have absolutely no idea where they are going. I've never ridden with them at night, either. I can not imagine it will be a fast ride at night. They usually don't ride fast until they hit the backroads out away from traffic. I'd be afraid of a wild hog or deer at night on the back roads. They are meeting at The Flying Tire at 9:00 PM. I'll bet it will be more of a social gathering. | ||
| Jdugger |
Riding at night sucks balls. It's not fun at all. But if you are just headed out from somewhere around here, I'd meet up to see y'all off. NFW I'm riding at night unless I have to. | ||
| Pmjolly |
OK, I had my wife bounce the front end while I watched closely. I saw no binding or shutter. I then loosened the front axle pinch bolts and axle. I bounced it a few times, and tightened up everything. We'll see if it makes any difference. I have no idea where we are going tonight. | ||
| 1_mike |
Or...rather than bouncing the bike around, a coupla smacks with a rubber mallet has worked for me for many a year. Same thing, snug everything, put the front end on the ground ( I leave the rear stand holding the back end up), loosen everything a 1/4 to a 1/3 a turn, give the fork lower castings a few light smacks, front to back, and back to front, and from the bottom up...tighten everything to the proper torque. Don't beat the crap out of it, you're just looking to "vibrate" everything into its proper position. Mike | ||
| Pmjolly |
If it still feels weird, I'll try that. I bounced it pretty good with everything loose. | ||
| Stevek1125r |
Try lowering the air pressure....when i changed from Corsas III's to Pilot pures , air pressure made a big difference in how the bike handled... My bike was twitchy and under hard wagging had some tail wagging.. Not all tires need the same tire pressure. | ||
| Sportster_mann |
Try putting more air in the front - I took a look at the pirelli website - they recommend 2.5 bar in the front - that's about 36 psi ... On the rear they recommend 2.6 bar, closer to 38 psi. | ||
| Pmjolly |
I'll try the air pressure change on my next ride. The bike was still twitchy last night. It's a little unnerving going down the freeway in a straight line while the front wheel feels like it is shifting left and right. I'm thinking all that's left is either a fork problem or a steering head bearing problem. The wheel bearings seemed good when I changed tires. | ||
| Eece_ret |
make sure you have your static sag set correctly. On my 09 I had to remove all front spring preload to get .75" sag. Which is not much at all. i have never had a bike that was OVERSPRUNG for my large posterior so it took be awhile to finally come to that conclusion. Once sag is set move on to damping. If the front feels like its washing out add some comp. damping, if it feels like it bouncing all about, add some rebound damping. Once the suspension is all setup properly it will transform the bike. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Are you sure that the front tire is properly balanced? Try adjusting your fork height. I lowered the fork tubes so that the top of the fork tubes are flush with the top of the triple clamp. (By top of the fork tubes, I mean the seam where the fork cap mates with the fork upper.) Doing so made my 1125 feel a lot more stable but also steer more neutrally. Going back to the stock ride height made it feel a bit twitchy. |
