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Message started by voldigicam on 09/05/09 at 11:41:01

Title: Front end chatter helped by weight
Post by voldigicam on 09/05/09 at 11:41:01

I persistently have the broken concrete feel on the front end. One of the reasons, maybe the main reason, I was looking for a different bike.

Popped my generous tool bag behind the windscreen. Probably 5 lbs. Suddenly the bike rides adequately smoothly.

I noticed before that it smoothed out a bit with a lean forward behind the windscreen. This would also put a little more weight on the front end.

Perhaps this might help others.

Title: Re: Front end chatter helped by weight
Post by PTRider on 09/06/09 at 10:55:55

Do you have a fork brace? Reducing binding due to fork flexing is a big help.

It might be time for new, low-sticktion fork seals and wipers, and top quality fork oil.

It would be good to call Ricor Racing Shocks (http://store.ricorshocks.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1), Tel: 888-425-1333, about their Intiminator motion sensing fork damping valves. $150 promotional price, plus a quart of 5 wt. fork oil needed. Who knows the inside diameter of our forks?

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA0NHDMsKNc&feature=player_embedded[/media]

Title: Re: Front end chatter helped by weight
Post by bill67 on 09/06/09 at 11:28:26

I have the superbrace,I put in Klotz racing synthetic fork fluid and could tell in the forks that there was less sticktion

Title: Re: Front end chatter helped by weight
Post by voldigicam on 09/06/09 at 17:51:35

I do not have a fork brace. I don't have a Corbin seat, a wider higher windscreen, good bags, a VM carb, or a large number of other things I would like to have. Perhaps I will some day.

In the meantime, the additional weight helped immensely. I imagine that the suspension behavior, especially the front end, is quite influenced by weight, thus heavier riders might not suffer the same chatter I have.

The term "sticktion" is useful. I have never heard of low-sticktion fork seals. I didn't know and still don't know what a "wiper" is. I put in what seemed to be expensive fork oil.

I presumed the chatter was from binding from the machines spindly forks coupled with a long front end.

I notice Race Tech has some materials for the 650. But not low stiction seals & wipers. I have not pulled out and replaced such things.

Perhaps spraying teflon lube between the seal and wiper would be effective.

I was under the impression that the fork brace was the ticket, so finding out there are many more things to spend money on seems quite disheartening. Any particular brand or source suggested?

Title: Re: Front end chatter helped by weight
Post by bill67 on 09/06/09 at 19:18:49

The fork works about the same as other motorcycle forks,I think the problem is the front end is to light,I put my fork brace on right away,so its hard for me to say how much it helps,but I know it does .I put a brace on another bike years ago and it helped.The Superbrace cost quiet a bit more and I think its a little better.A bigger rear tire does put more weight on the front.

Title: Re: Front end chatter helped by weight
Post by FreeSpirit on 09/06/09 at 19:32:47

I kept thinking more weight would help!
Thanks for the info.

Dont know why I havent tried it yet....except I just have gotten my fork/tool bag!
So now I'll try it...and add 5+ lbs of tools 8-)

Title: Re: Front end chatter helped by weight
Post by srinath on 09/07/09 at 06:22:19

My chopper would head shake past 70 mph or so, and in cross wind and following tractor trailers past even 55 mph. I would tuck into a drag racer's crouch to get it stable. I have been told to lower the air pressure in the front tire to ~28 or so form the 40 its got now.
Hope that helps ...
Cool.
Srinath.