Why oh why? |
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iansoady
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2017 Location: Redditch Status: Offline Points: 2402 |
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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. |
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Ian
1952 Norton ES2 1986 Honda XBR500 1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress |
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Adam
Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2017 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 127 |
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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
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2017 Location: Redditch Status: Offline Points: 2402 |
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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. |
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Ian
1952 Norton ES2 1986 Honda XBR500 1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress |
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Mike H
Senior Member Joined: 21 May 2014 Location: East Anglia Status: Offline Points: 8733 |
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Bluddy hell .. ...!
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"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
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Brian UK
Moderator Group Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 17641 |
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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.
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Brian.
Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next. |
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iansoady
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2017 Location: Redditch Status: Offline Points: 2402 |
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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...... |
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Ian
1952 Norton ES2 1986 Honda XBR500 1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress |
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iansoady
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2017 Location: Redditch Status: Offline Points: 2402 |
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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....... |
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Ian
1952 Norton ES2 1986 Honda XBR500 1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress |
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Mike H
Senior Member Joined: 21 May 2014 Location: East Anglia Status: Offline Points: 8733 |
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Congratulations
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"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
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Motty
Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2015 Location: South England Status: Offline Points: 269 |
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The joys of owning a Guzzi |
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It’s more fun to try to ride a slow bike fast .....
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Brian UK
Moderator Group Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 17641 |
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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.
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Brian.
Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next. |
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iansoady
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2017 Location: Redditch Status: Offline Points: 2402 |
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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. |
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Ian
1952 Norton ES2 1986 Honda XBR500 1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress |
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bexupnorth
Falcone Joined: 18 Jan 2016 Location: North Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 90 |
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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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Ken-Guzzibear
Moderator Group Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Sileby Leics Status: Offline Points: 9454 |
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yep bodgers everywhere rose joints probably an add on decent upgrade
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The Older i Get, The Better I Was
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Brian UK
Moderator Group Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 17641 |
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Rose joints, yes, but he could have got a pair with left and right hand threads.
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Brian.
Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next. |
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iansoady
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2017 Location: Redditch Status: Offline Points: 2402 |
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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. |
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Ian
1952 Norton ES2 1986 Honda XBR500 1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress |
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