Numb fingers.

[r1ck]

Hi all

I fitted some HyperPro progressive springs to my curvy SV last summer, and noticed that it seemed to increase (a lot) the vibration through the bars.

I only notice this on my right hand, presumably because I am gripping it more tightly to control the throttle, whereas the left hand is just loosely resting on the left clip on.

The bike's been off the road over winter but I went out for my first ride last night, and after about half an hour, two fingers on my right hand were completely numb. When i got home after about an hour, the fingers were white. The colour and feeling returned in about half an hour. The temperature was over 10C so this wasn't the problem, plus my left hand was fine.

The gloves I were wearing are a bit tight so this may have something to do with it. Also the bar end weights are non-standard aftermarket items, could this be a significant factor?

Has anyone else noticed the same problem to this extent, and have any suggestions?

Thanks for any ideas!

Rick

[Alpinestarhero]

Go back to the standard bar-end weights first (if you still have them) and see what differance this makes

[r1ck]

I dont have the old ones, they got smashed up.

Anyone noticed this when changing their springs / damping oil?

[fizzwheel]

I changed the oil in my Curvey and Liz has uprated springs in her pointy, I'ev ridden both bikes alot and neither made my hand numb like you are describing.

Not sure whats causing it in your case, but I'd try relaxing your throttle hand grip first. You dont need to wring its neck, just grip it enough so that the throttle stays where you want it to.

If your gloves are to tight that wont help either.

[bskie2000]

wheel balancing?

[xXBADGERXx]

Probably because you have been off for the bike for so long you have lost your "Condition" . Aftermarket poncy Bar-Ends are too light sometimes for an SV and don`t help to dampen the Vibration that can ripple through these , try to source some OEM ones or Chewy does some Stainless Ones that weigh a ton and will help reduce this .

I have also heard of a thing called a Bar-Snake for motorocross/naked bars which dampen it down a bit and they also do a liquid version for Clip-Ons as well :)

[dizzyblonde]

. Aftermarket poncy Bar-Ends are too light sometimes for an SV and don`t help to dampen the Vibration that can ripple through these , try to source some OEM ones or Chewy does some Stainless Ones that weigh a ton and will help reduce this .

was going to say, some stainless ones will certainly add some weight. I bought mine off two org members, although I've seen some pop up on ebay lately that appear the same.
As for the progressive springs, I'm pretty 100% certain they won't be the issue causing the vibes.
Being out of practise can cause alsorts, I am currently suffering from the muscle on the top of my hand, between finger and thumb swelling and turning blue, on the clutch hand, something I have never had on either of my Svs:(

[haggis]

I'd check your front wheel balance, maybe you've lost a sticky weight.

Mine hasn't been balanced since I put this tyre on and I do get circulation/numbness probs a lot. I really should do it! :rolleyes:



Oh, and I dont have end weights on the renthal bars which probably isn't helping.

[chompy]

hi,

this happens to me, and its always my right hand, it because you have been off the bike and arent relaxing probably, after a while it will be better, and it its the right you went down on check that the clip on havent moved.

chompy

[xXBADGERXx]

hi,
and it its the right you went down on check that the clip on havent moved.

chompy

It shouldn`t have moved as they are fixed underneath the Yoke by a cap head bolt .

[chompy]

hmm i wonder why mine does it some time???? maybe holding too tight, i changed my gloves a little while a go and it dissapeared but started to come back

[davepreston]

who's chewy where can i find him and how much are they

[dizzyblonde]

http://www.chewys-stuff.co.uk/

think this is right, although if you go on ebay Dave, you'll find some stainless bar ends that are like mine.

[pawl]

hi matey, i think you may have what is called Raynaurds Syndrome. (look it up it will make sense).

[Bibio]

it's probably because you are putting all your weight on your hands. try lowering your elbows so your forearm is more parallel.

i used to get the same thing, doing what i said above helped (allot), but now i have higher bars i dont get any more numb fingers.

[daved407]

I had this problem where i first noticed it on the bike but it was happening more and more day to day. If it happens on other occasions too try researching carpal tunnel syndrome. If its just on that bike and no other then id check out the handlebar weights first. Lowering the elbows helps as does the occasional adjusting your position.

[xXBADGERXx]

These comments about syndromes may be a bit extreme to be honest , I had a similar problem with my mountain bike and my SV , it turns out there is a nerve that runs near the heel of the Palm and when weight is applied to it , it makes the fingers and hand feel numb . Adjusting bars etc will take the pressure away from that nerve .

I ended up putting an ABM comfot kit on the bike after securing the Org a discount on them . I also changed the bars on my mountain bike and this cured the problem for me instantly . Another solution is to grip the tank a bit more with your knees and only hold the bars as if you are holding an Egg and no tighter , takes some practice and effort in the long run though .

[r1ck]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Its only ever happened on the bike, and never as badly as it did the other night.

I've actually got some pretty heavy stainless bar ends on the bike at the moment, they've been on there a couple of years.

Thinking about it I got a new set of tyres fitted around the same time as i got my suspension done... i think i'll get the wheel balancing checked as a priority.

And also being my first ride for 6 months i probably was holding the grip too hard although i consciously made an effort not to.

[daved407]

As I said check everything else first but in my case Id been told for years arthritus of the wrists were causing it. I moved and changed GP to find it was operable and all that discomfort riding had not been neccesary. Every case can be different but present all the options and work through them to get the answer.

[dizzyblonde]

ye, everyone can be different. Usually its just a case of your holding on too tight, without thinking about it. You do it more if you haven't been out in a while. I know that in my case all the levers are set up for me, the wheels are balanced correctly etc, but I have an permanently instable shoulder joint on my left arm, and after many months of little riding, my arm has weakened, so because of the shoulder being foobarred the rest of my arm compensates for it, without me even knowing, causing me to grip harder.
I've also been on some rides recently which challenge the higher gearing on one of my SVs which reallly doesn't help. So I have got my grip thingy out again to get some strength in my hand
http://www.fitnesszone.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/deluxe_handgrip.jpg
It works for me, but thats because I know I have a underlying problem.

[xXBADGERXx]

Men only need one of those things ;)

[Bill.Cross]

It's the engine causing these vibes. There's no way a wheel out of balance would create the high speed vibes that cause white fingers. You need the right bar ends.

[xXBADGERXx]

I`d have to agree there , the Oscillation from an unbalanced wheel would be too low even at top speed .