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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
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Message started by voldigicam on 08/08/09 at 10:31:43

Title: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by voldigicam on 08/08/09 at 10:31:43

I noticed this morning again that the rear suspension is OK. Went through rough road, winding turns, some highway cruising at 60. Just a variety of things. Have it set on 2 and it's OK in back.

The front is a different matter.

Stock front end 2007 11,000 miles, fresh fork oil, head bearings are fine, new Pirelli MT66, dynabeads. Tire rolls very nicely, no balance problem. What I do have are two possibly unrelated things going on. That may be normal. First, the bike is a little squirmy sometimes. Just has a small scale instability feel, especially entering corners before roll on, but also on smooth straight roads. Just this little wandering, slightly loose feel. Second, the ride is marginal on the front. Broken surface feel. Rough. Chunk chunk chunk rather than smooth and supple. It's my largest concern with the bike. If I can't fix it, I'll sell it.

I'm thinking these may all be related. I can feel overall fork flex, which isn't bad really. I think I might be able to feel the fork torsion a bit if I wedge the front wheel and lean on the bars a little. I'm thinking the two legs bend independently, creating or amplifying squirm. And that this twist and the bend could be binding the forks or creating resistance just for a moment.

If that model for the clunky feel is correct, I suspect one of those fork brace things would fix most of it. Am I possibly correct in this?

Or do these symptoms sound like something else is wrong? The forks are assembled per the manual and how they came apart for oil replacement.

Thanks much for any suggestions.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by Serowbot on 08/08/09 at 10:44:27

Do you have a front fender?... It has some bracing built in to it.
If that's not enough for you,... you may need a T-Kat fork brace...

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/08/09 at 11:32:32

Even gentle riding will be different with a fork brace. It will just feel more sure footed. Sure 'nuff, if you like playing Ricky Road Racer in the corners, the difference will be very noticeable.T-Kat costs less & is a macho look, I think on some of the modded up bikes, it looks great. Even on the stockers, theres no problem with the look, purely a matter of what YOu like. Superbrace is cleaner, streamlined & a bit pricey. Id have that T-Kat, if I hadnt been treated so very well on the Superbrace. It was one of those deals a guy just simply does not turn down..& I thank that dude.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by seviersavage on 08/08/09 at 11:47:38

voldigicam,
I've got a fork brace and your welcome to try out how it feels on my bike.
Seviersavage

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by voldigicam on 08/08/09 at 12:38:53

Yeah. I can try sevier's. Coming with us tomorrow? Cherohala to Hoopers Bald?

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm.
Post by bill67 on 08/08/09 at 12:55:38

I think the front end is to light,More of the weight is on the rear of the bike, other bikes are more balanced,I have a super brace it helped,My wifes 1980 GN 400 Suzuki was more stable. A bigger tire in front I think would help to slow down the steering.She drove the bike 24000 miles didn't do any thing but change the oil,No problems at all with the bike.Iv'e had 13 difference bikes the s40 is most unstable bike I every had, Its good up to 60 mph, I want ride freeways with it.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by voldigicam on 08/08/09 at 13:07:44

There, that jives with my experience. At 60, I find myself leaning as far forward as possible to reduce my body lift and put a little more weight forward. The difference in stability is clear.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm.
Post by bill67 on 08/08/09 at 13:17:09

I've leaned forward too and it helps,So to me it is the light front end.putting the shocks on full stiff helps to put the weight forward but then it rides to hard.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by clueless on 08/08/09 at 13:21:47

Check your air pressure. Mine tends to "wander" when the tire pressure is low.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by bill67 on 08/08/09 at 13:27:37

Its snot the air pressure.And not the R66 tires,I but them on mine Suzuki 1500 they are must better than the higher priced Bridgestones that come on it.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by voldigicam on 08/08/09 at 13:27:40

I run 29 psi / 33 psi per the manual. Something more make sense?

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by clueless on 08/08/09 at 13:34:49

Hey Bill,

I put a load on my bike( 6'1" at 230). I guess that helps me on the stability. I could stand to lose a few :-/

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by bill67 on 08/08/09 at 13:57:13

I been working out and ride bicycle every day 5 miles I'm down to 154 at 5'6',My heaviest ever was 172. I can see a heavier rider might hold it down.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by voldigicam on 08/08/09 at 14:11:35

Yes, that could account for a good deal of experiential difference. I'm 170 dressed, 5-10.5. So I offer a pretty good wind target. 50 mph I really start to notice the lightness. Although I get chatter at all speeds.

My front tire runs hotter than I expected. I'm a bit reluctant to use more air. Doesn't look like much of a contact patch as it is.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by Serowbot on 08/08/09 at 14:37:40

Do you have the pullback bars?... It could be wind buffeting against your shoulders,... mine used too... less now with drag bars and straight risors...

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by thumperclone on 08/08/09 at 14:43:48

what setting are the back shocks,
i had to stiffen mine up(one below stiffest)to feel less squirley and the metzlers helped also

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by voldigicam on 08/08/09 at 18:00:43

I'll try the shocks - I only adjusted for ride quality. Might be why they were set to "stun" when I got the bike!

I'll also ballast the front a little. Found a bag I think will handle all my tools right above the headlight & behind the windshield, where I normally toss my hat. Just a couple of pounds is likely to do something.

At this point, I have the stock drag bars with stock risers and with my homemade test backrest I have a comfortable position.

Title: Re: That clunky front end feel, squirm. Normal?
Post by haulback on 08/08/09 at 18:26:34

I bought a superbrace for the bike and it improved things immensly. Just not the same bike at all, much more stable at highway speeds - took all the mushiness out of the front end

Well worth the bucks - took less than 5 minutes to bolt it on, too!!