C90: Balance/steering head problem - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Legin · 11-07-2005, 05:52 AM

Hello all - I'm a newbie

Recently bought a new C90 - very happy with the bike - but:

Started getting a fatigue pain in the left of my back, eventually realised I was compensating to the right while riding.

Tested the balance by cruising on a flat level road, took my hands off the bars, and sure enough the bike veers to the left - but badly.

Any advice? Could it be a balance problem by design, or more likely the steering set up?

Regards
Nigel

dragbar · 11-07-2005, 06:47 AM

Just leans to the left (bike as a whole) or the entire steering head starts turning to the left? Any vibration and does it only happen at certain speeds or rpm's?

Just asking for hopes of more options for your ?

Might want to raise your bike, rotate your tires and look for any deformation.

When looking at your steering head make sure you use a string method or other option to line your tires so you get an accurate look.

Legin · 11-07-2005, 07:16 AM

Hi - thanks for the reply.
The bike leans over to the left - and therefore starts going to the left just as if I were leaning it into a gentle corner.

Regards

**Clint** · 11-07-2005, 07:48 AM

I would focus on the rear tire. Adjustment is easy and it could contribute to this as much if not more.

tlwisner · 11-07-2005, 07:59 AM

Be sure that the bike isn't leaning because you are leaning or sitting off center.

stp1971 · 11-07-2005, 08:04 AM

Also remember the slope of the road. Not that I would recomend it but if you can find a long straightaway then maybe ride on the oposite side of the road and see if it still does it, or it does it worse. Sounds like maybe you are wearing the tires too much from maybe riding on one portion of the lane. Just a thought...

Legin · 11-07-2005, 08:49 AM

Don't think so - bike is brand new - 500km old

Legin · 11-07-2005, 08:50 AM

Can you adjust the rear alignemnt (shaft drive)
Nigel

stp1971 · 11-07-2005, 11:43 AM

I don't think there should be any alignment issues to deal with on the rear shaft. I know on the "LC" I have there is an issue with the steering head bearings having a poor design which over time will cause alot of play or wobble with the front end. The "LC" has a rake design and with the added weight of the bike I have that wobble problem on deceleration starting at about 45-50 mph until about 30-35 mph.

Jack the bike up and hold the steering centered. Barely touch the bars and push them to one side and then the other. They should move without assistance from left to right. If it is binding then that might cause an issue with your bike.

Use the search function and check out that weeble wobble thread I had posted several months ago. If you cannot find the right answer then maybe the dealer needs to get involved with it.

Good luck on it.

Danr · 11-08-2005, 05:54 AM

No doubt in my mine what I would do ! Get the dealer involved now! he assembled it didn't he ?

Uechi Kid · 11-08-2005, 01:18 PM

Do you ride on the left side of the road out your way. If so the raod is crowned and would make the bike pull left. Try to find a road that you can ride in the very middle for a while and try the same test. You will probably if that it goes straight.

Legin · 11-09-2005, 02:26 AM

Thanks to all - I will be trying out a few things and see what transpires.

11-07-2005, 05:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Legin Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: Boulevard C90 Location: Johannesburg S.A. Posts: 38	C90: Balance/steering head problem Hello all - I'm a newbie Recently bought a new C90 - very happy with the bike - but: Started getting a fatigue pain in the left of my back, eventually realised I was compensating to the right while riding. Tested the balance by cruising on a flat level road, took my hands off the bars, and sure enough the bike veers to the left - but badly. Any advice? Could it be a balance problem by design, or more likely the steering set up? Regards Nigel

11-07-2005, 06:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
dragbar Fifth gear streak Joined: May 2005 Bike: M50 Location: SE Missouri Posts: 1,375	Just leans to the left (bike as a whole) or the entire steering head starts turning to the left? Any vibration and does it only happen at certain speeds or rpm's? Just asking for hopes of more options for your ? Might want to raise your bike, rotate your tires and look for any deformation. When looking at your steering head make sure you use a string method or other option to line your tires so you get an accurate look. __________________ I ate Chinese last night..........should of seen her struggle when i put her in the van. Доверя́й, но проверя́й.

11-07-2005, 07:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	Be sure that the bike isn't leaning because you are leaning or sitting off center. __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

11-07-2005, 08:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Also remember the slope of the road. Not that I would recomend it but if you can find a long straightaway then maybe ride on the oposite side of the road and see if it still does it, or it does it worse. Sounds like maybe you are wearing the tires too much from maybe riding on one portion of the lane. Just a thought... __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

11-07-2005, 11:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	I don't think there should be any alignment issues to deal with on the rear shaft. I know on the "LC" I have there is an issue with the steering head bearings having a poor design which over time will cause alot of play or wobble with the front end. The "LC" has a rake design and with the added weight of the bike I have that wobble problem on deceleration starting at about 45-50 mph until about 30-35 mph. Jack the bike up and hold the steering centered. Barely touch the bars and push them to one side and then the other. They should move without assistance from left to right. If it is binding then that might cause an issue with your bike. Use the search function and check out that weeble wobble thread I had posted several months ago. If you cannot find the right answer then maybe the dealer needs to get involved with it. Good luck on it. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

11-07-2005, 07:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Legin Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: Boulevard C90 Location: Johannesburg S.A. Posts: 38	Hi - thanks for the reply. The bike leans over to the left - and therefore starts going to the left just as if I were leaning it into a gentle corner. Regards

11-07-2005, 08:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Legin Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: Boulevard C90 Location: Johannesburg S.A. Posts: 38	Don't think so - bike is brand new - 500km old

11-07-2005, 08:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Legin Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: Boulevard C90 Location: Johannesburg S.A. Posts: 38	Can you adjust the rear alignemnt (shaft drive) Nigel

11-08-2005, 05:54 AM	#10 (permalink)
Danr Sit speling cheker Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,616	No doubt in my mine what I would do ! Get the dealer involved now! he assembled it didn't he ?

11-08-2005, 01:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
Uechi Kid Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 04 M95, Yamaha VStar 650 Location: Antioch, Ca. Posts: 744	Do you ride on the left side of the road out your way. If so the raod is crowned and would make the bike pull left. Try to find a road that you can ride in the very middle for a while and try the same test. You will probably if that it goes straight.

11-09-2005, 02:26 AM	#12 (permalink)
Legin Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: Boulevard C90 Location: Johannesburg S.A. Posts: 38	Thanks to all - I will be trying out a few things and see what transpires.

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