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Why oh why?

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iansoady View Drop Down
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    Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 14:25
.... do people muck about with things they don't understand.

I've just popped out for my first run on my V50 and have to say I was somewhat horrified by the handling. It didn't want to go into corners, and once in didn't want to come out. Just like having a steering damper on 11 (because it's 1 more than 10....) Coupled with my lack of practice with coupled brakes it was a very amateurish ride.

When I got home I lifted the front on the trolley jack, and what did I find? Steering head bearings screwed down as far as they possibly could be, giving a huge amount of resistance to rotation.
I backed them off to the proper adjustment - no fore and aft play but free to rotate. This took me all of 5 minutes. If people don't know what they're doing I wish they would leave things alone.

Funny thing is, when I bought my Ariel Arrow earlier in the year (everything done mate*, good to go) it had exactly the same issue.


*The list of things that weren't would fill volumes.
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress
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Adam View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Adam Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 15:40
I was told by a local motorcycle shop that it was best practice to turn the bars lock to lock occasionally when bikes are left immobile to prevent notchy or stiff steering caused by moisture or corrosion from dissimilar metals in the bearing race. Different to your problem but one for the unwary.
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iansoady View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote iansoady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 16:26
Yes I can see that. Although any corrosion is likely to eat through the hardening on the races.

I was lucky the balls (I assume my bike doesn't have taper rollers) didn't brinell the races but they seem to move very smoothly now. I'll give it another run tomorrow.
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress
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Mike H View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike H Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 17:18
Bluddy hell .. Shocked ...!



"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
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Brian UK View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 22:38
If they were that tight, I'm surprised you didn't notice just pushing it around. Though with a bike new to you, you don't know what to expect.
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote iansoady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 10:37
Yes, it did seem a bit "dead" but I'd only pushed it in & out of the garage.

When I was viewing it prior to buying I did ride it a few yards in the underground car park where it lived, but no significant bends there......
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote iansoady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 11:27
Just been out for 20 miles or so and now handling like a dream (but not a Honda one!). I do wonder whether the PO passed it on because he was unhappy with the handling......

Now to adjust the gear lever so I can get my foot under it, which seems to involve dismantling half the bike.......
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike H Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 12:34
Congratulations Clap


"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Motty Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 13:15
Originally posted by iansoady iansoady wrote:


Now to adjust the gear lever so I can get my foot under it, which seems to involve dismantling half the bike.......

The joys of owning a Guzzi
It’s more fun to try to ride a slow bike fast .....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 13:59
You might be able to undo the locking nuts on the little push rod and spin it to alter the position. Should be left and right hand thread each end so you can do this.
Brian.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote iansoady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 15:10
Yep, I found it easiest to take the battery and battery tray out so I could see what I was doing. My first attempt ended up with it too low but have readjusted and now seems OK. Interestingly, rather than the bent rod with split pins shown in the parts book, mine has rose joints.

But the rod is RH thread both ends.

Now I've had the practice I can do it in 10 minutes but it's a pretty filthy job.
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bexupnorth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 14:21
I've almost lost count of the number of new-to-me bikes that have different settings on each rear shock. You'd think even the least mechanically sympathetic rider would at least set them the same even if they haven't heard of "sag". Electrics are usually best for a bodge though :)

Ade.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ken-Guzzibear Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 19:41
yep bodgers everywhere rose joints probably an add on decent upgrade
The Older i Get, The Better I Was
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 21:14
Rose joints, yes, but he could have got a pair with left and right hand threads.
Brian.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote iansoady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 11:14
Very true, although there's so little room down there I find it easier to slacken off the bottom locknut a flat or so, then unscrew the rod completely and adjust it off the bike. I can only get one flat at a time movement on the lower locknut.

The pedal is still slightly low so I'll have another shot at it.
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress
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