Bike pulling to one side

[Orca]

Hi guys,

I bought a K6 with 7K miles on it about three weeks ago. Full history, HPI clear and fantastic condition. I got it from a local dealer who only does quality second hand bikes.

Ever since I've had the bike it has pulled to the left. It went back to the dealer who did the rear wheel alignment. It was better but not perfect. It still pulled to the left slightly.

Now that I'm getting more confident riding again after a 7 year break from bikes, I'm cornering a bit quicker. I've noticed that the bike wants to stand up in right handers. Lefts are fine. In order to keep the thing lent over in a right hander I have to counter steer a little. If I stop counter steering the bike stands up.

First chance I've had is today to re check the alignment. It was a couple mm off so I adjusted it. Now the alignment measured at the front wheel is within 1/2 mm. Test rode the bike and it still pulls to the left. Grrrrr

Take your hands off the bars and the bike pulls left.

Any idea what can be causing this?

Something bent?

[muzikill]

brake binding on?, wheel misbalance?, faulty tyre,rim. Knackered/bent fork?

[tigersaw]

You say alignment has been checked, I guess thats rear wheel in line with front wheel, but vertical alignment? If rear is spirit level upright what is the front when pointing forwards?

[ophic]

Mine did this on worn tyres as I did mostly motorways and roundabouts on my commute, and the tyres wore unevenly, especially the front, to the extent that you could clearly see the different profiles on each side of the tyre. The right hand side of the tyre wore much more than the left and this made it pull to the left. No idea of the physics behind it but it was totally fixed with new tyres.

[Fraser24]

Assuming its not got a bent frame etc, If it's been ridden for a few thousand miles with rear wheel alignment out, the tyres will wear uneven, just resetting wheel alignment will not cure your problem, have a good look at tyres, maybe time for a new set ??

[Berlin]

Are your forks straight in the yokes? This is usually what it is. Are the bars straight when you are riding straight or ar they slightly to one side? Loosen the pinch bolds just enough to move the forks and put the wheel against a wall and twist the bars (and thus forks) straight. Tighten everything and try again. Binding brakes etc will not be the cause as that requires two wheels on the front and that's unusual for an SV :-)

Next check the rear wheel is the same on each measurement plate on the rear spindle if its significanlty out then this too can cause a direction bias.

C

[muzikill]

the question is how loose do you make the pinch bolts without doing it too much and the bike dropping straight down them?

Is there some method on measuring the front alignment?

[barwel1992]

^

losen all but the top two pinch bolts, losen the axle and bounce the front the top bolts need to be tight

[muzikill]

I didnt realise that it would still take the weight

[barwel1992]

yeh they take more than you think

[johnnyrod]

It could be front or rear assuming the frame's okay. To check the rear, ride at say 30mph, lose the throttle and take your hands off the bars. If it consistently wanders to one side, the rear wheel's out of line. If it's always going left, tighten the right-hand chain adjuster by half a turn more than the left one and try again. As said above make sure your tyres aren't a funny shape!

[yorkie_chris]

It could be front or rear assuming the frame's okay. To check the rear, ride at say 30mph, lose the throttle and take your hands off the bars. If it consistently wanders to one side, the rear wheel's out of line. If it's always going left, tighten the right-hand chain adjuster by half a turn more than the left one and try again. As said above make sure your tyres aren't a funny shape!

I wouldn't do that as it risks just masking the problem.

[Orca]

Thanks for all your replies guys :)

I've been to speak to the dealer where I bought the bike. He's paying for an experienced bike mechanic to check out the bike. Should be going in towards the end of this week. I'll update you with his findings. :)