-On The Road Again?-

[EVAHank]

Hi, Everyone;
Just got my '03 VXII back from the mechanic after a carb rebuild and some forkseal work, and I'm having a problem. When I am traveling straight ahead on the road, my handlebars are canted about 2% to the left. The bike seems to handle ok, but since I haven't ridden it in about 2 years I have not pushed it yet.
There is a slight amount of wobble when I take my hands off the bars. Does anyone have an idea where to start looking for a cause to this? Any info you can offer would be deeply appreciated!

Ride Safe & Sane;
Hank, the 'Grey Lady' & 'Lil'Putt'

[Mr Jensee]

If your forks are twisted you can straighten them, provided that they aren't actually bent, by loosening the top and lower triple tree clamp bolts, straddling the front wheel and pulling the bars as straight as you can then retightening them. I realize the fairing can be a problem but you can have someone sit on the seat and help hold the bars while you put pressure against the wheel opposite whatever direction it needs correction. When done retighten the bolts.

If the bars and wheel are aligned and you still have a wobble, tell me what tire do you have on the front wheel. Dunlop 404 tires are terrible and will wobble. make sure the wheel is balanced and the tire is not warped or cupped. The last thing to do is ensure the bearings in the steering head should be checked for looseness.

[EVAHank]

Hi, Mr. Jensee;
I am concerned about the fork tubes being bent, and will have my mechanic check them. The wobble seems most evident between 30 and 40mph, and is almost absent at highway speeds (60-70). I'm thinking that may be due to an unbalanced front wheel. The 'Lady' is shod with Dunlop E3's, but they have some miles on them and will need replacing in another 5000 or so. This is the bike that the front end nearly fell off of on a trip to California a few years ago. I got some used trees from Carl Leo, but do not remember if I replaced the fork tubes. I'll have the tech check this out. Thanks for your help!

Ride Safe & Sane;
Hank, the Grey Lady, & 'Lil'Putt'

[voyager55]

Your mechanic should of noticed if your forks are bent, and that the steering wasn't correct. He never should of gave the bike back to you in that shape. Might want to shop for a new mechanic

[Mr Jensee]

FYI my Voyager has a wobble at the same speed level. It isn't bad but there never the less. I have checked the steering stem and I have Dunlop E3 tires. No cupping found, tire was balanced. A fork brace may be the only other option IF I felt I need to fix it. So far I can live with it. I agree with Mr. Voyager, if the fork tubes are bent the bike shouldn't have even been returned to you. Bent tubes are pretty obvious. If you use a straight object like a carpenter level and run it down from the tree to the axle, it should be a straight line. If not, even a slight difference then your tubes are indeed bent.

[1966F100]

For me what I found I believe is the main problem is a PO had put E3s on. But according to the lettering on the sidewall. The Front tire is marked with the rotation arrow AND FOR REAR WHEEL USE ONLY. Maybe it would work, maybe not. I know on my GL1500 running E3s I had to run 41psi in the front or it would get twitchy. I also got rid of the Progressive springs in favor of Traxxions and replaced the fork oil(which was the wrong vis) for the proper fork oil.

As it is by next week I'll be running Conti-Tours front and rear and will evaluate then.

[GrandpaDenny]

For me what I found I believe is the main problem is a PO had put E3s on.

Eh? Dunlop E3s were great tires.

But according to the lettering on the sidewall. The Front tire is marked with the rotation arrow AND FOR REAR WHEEL USE ONLY.

Oh, now that would be problematic. I can't imagine what the ride would be like with that super-stiff tire on the front. Probably wouldn't like turns much, either with that flat profile.

I also got rid of the Progressive springs in favor of Traxxions and replaced the fork oil(which was the wrong vis) for the proper fork oil.

Never heard of Traxxion springs. Will have to investigate. As for the fork oil, since the spec is for 10W-20 which nobody manufactures anymore (AFAIK) we're ALL running the wrong viscosity fork oil! How did you know it was the wrong viscosity?

As it is by next week I'll be running Conti-Tours front and rear and will evaluate then.

Keep us posted!