View Full Version : Bike front end feels strange.
Not quite sure how to explain this but will try. Went out on it Sunday as it was nice weather and likely to be the last of the year and it felt fine, Was off work for 3 days so next time I used it was Wednesday. Instantly the bike felt strange, the front end felt really light and like it wanted to squirm all over at low speeds (anything up to about 20mph) but didn't think anything of it as it was insanely cold (about 4 degrees) when I left for work and thought the tyres were cold.
Got on it to go home and it felt slightly better until I tried to turn a corner at about 20/25 mph and the wheel wanted to turn like I was slow riding which scared me a tad as I wasn't expecting it. Got on motorway and got to about 70mph and front end then started to feel a bit skitish like it wanted to jump around a bit. Got off when I got home and looked at the front tyre and it LOOKS OK with slight wearing in the center where the tyre's brand name was but still seem to have plenty of grip but I may be wrong (will try and upload some pictures tonight). I checked my Tyre pressure on both tyres the other day and they were quite a bit under what they should be (22 on front and 27 at back) so I put these to what I found on a quick google search at the station to be the correct levels 33F/36R but have since found that 36F/40R may be better... not quite sure on these yet and will be a bit more research.
SO.... Any ideas?
johnnyrod
14-09-12, 08:39 AM
33/36, any more is a safety margin, but either that or 36/42 will work fine (I prefer 33/36, this is a perennial argument BTW). 22/27 is way too low, anythign below about 30 on the front feels bad, the tye is basically collapsing. Also sometimes a soft rear makes the front feel odd and vice versa. Put some air in and go for a ride.
speedyandypandy
14-09-12, 08:39 AM
So you had 33/36 psi in the tyres when the bike was acting funny?
How cold is cold? celcius. Any fork oil leaks? Have you checked for play on the front wheel? Bearings might have gone. How old are the tyres? Thread life isn't the only thing to worry about. Tyres can store up to 8 years if unused, but they don't last many years from the first day of use.
I currently have 33/36 in but they had that in on Sunday when I went for a ride, Changed the pressure maybe last Wednesday as it felt a bit squishy at times Guess I will check them tonight again when I get home. It was 4 degrees C when I went to work (not really as insanely cold) but cold enough :(
Haven't noticed any leaks in the forks but ill take a closer look at that tonight. Rear Tyre is about a month old and has done about 1500 miles and the front is just over a year old and has done about 4000 miles. I did check for play in the front wheel but only while the bike was on a side stand, The handle bars moved instantly and there didn't appear to be any give in the wheel.
speedyandypandy
14-09-12, 09:32 AM
Get a mate to lift the front wheel up, use the handlebar and pillion grab rail thingy and just tilt it gently over, then you get on your knees(no no, not that:rolleyes:) grab a firm hold of the wheel with two hands and press backwards and forwards, you will feel if there is play in the bearings.
Tyre pressure needs to be checked on a regular basis.
Don't neglect checking the back as well. Swing arm etc included.
Will try and check this over the weekend.... just need to find a friend in my area now to help me :(
Right, Took a look at there was no clear indication of a leak on the forks and I tried to take some pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/woogieuk/20120914_180803.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/woogieuk/20120914_180754.jpg
Also took a look at the tyre again and it doesn't seem too bad but here we are maybe you can tell me
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/woogieuk/20120914_180745.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/woogieuk/20120914_180735.jpg
I checked pressure again and it seemed to have dropped slightly so I then tried the 36/42 and it seems quite scary so not sure If I like that pressure...... will have to see if my Girlfriend is Strong enough to hold the bike up while I test the bearings tomorrow.
chezvegas85
14-09-12, 05:39 PM
to what I found on a quick google search at the station to be the correct levels 33F/36R
notice you said they seemed to of lost a bit of pressure again, perhaps your tyres were too warm (sounds like you were mid ride-out) when you filled them, so the readings were inaccurate
That is quite possible as I did fill them both times on my way home from work (40 mile commute) once right at the very end and today part way through. Ill check it tomorrow morning before I leave and report back again.
Biker Biggles
14-09-12, 05:54 PM
Those low tyre pressures you quoted will certainly make the bike handle oddly.If you are sure it still feels baggy with the pressures right then look at the head race bearings,and if they are ok all the other suspension moving parts,front and rear.
Jayneflakes
14-09-12, 10:25 PM
This may be silly, but have you got a chain oiler and if so, has it over oiled the chain? That can make the bike feel strange (because it chucks oil all over your rear tyre).
Are you riding Conti Road Attacks? I used to run them, but found them skittish especially in the last few months when I was running them semi worn and on dirty roads.
Check your wheel bearings, steering bearing and even swing arm bearing, if all else fails and you are lost for answers, get it looked at, don't just ignore it and hope that you get used to it.
widepants
14-09-12, 11:03 PM
as with Jayne , I hated the road attacks for their skittishness
The hoops look just about worn the name off on the treads so lots of life left
Conti on front (used to have rear as well now using michellin road pilot 3)
Checked pressure this morning and was still low and Put it to 36/40 (less than a 30 second ride from my house to the petrol station) and bike started handling like a dream all the way till I was nearly at work when it felt a tad weird again. Will check pressure again tomorrow morning and see how the bike is on the way home. May have a slow puncture on the front that is causing the issue
speedyandypandy
15-09-12, 08:01 PM
How low was it this morning? I guess you've checked your tyres with a loop and found no small holes or anything? If you are suspisous of something on the tyre use a small puddle and see if you get small bobbles.
You know allot of peeps including insurance companys don't look favorably on mixing tyres .
Me it no problem as long as the gripy ones on front but just be diligent.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.