Front end settings.

Bike has been acting strange the last day or two, and searched, but so much said and little I can make sense of ...

Anyway ... the bike seems to almost fall in on bends, and filtering through traffic the bike seems to want to tip in for some reason ...

I've checked the tyre pressures ... fine ...
I've been playing with the preloads (front) but not sure which way to go next ...
Can't see/feel any problems with the head bearings
Front forks appear to be clean and not leaking oil

Only thing I've done recently is adjust the chain, but all looks well down there.

At a loss ... but its knocking my confidence ....

[yorkie_chris]

That falling in feeling I have known from head bearings and square rear tyre.

If you recently adjusted chain check wheel alignment

Hi, sounds as though you have lost your way on rebound settings, reset to manufacturers start setting, 3rd groove from top? adjust the "sag" setting, lot's of how to's, search "adjusting sag"
This will help you understand and adjust according to weight/style/speed.
JOHN

[yorkie_chris]

No rebound setting on stock forks unless you fit AK20s or some other cartridge. Only rebound adjust is by oil viscosity.

Preload is only adjustment on fork. You will not get good sag numbers with stock springs.

Rear wheel is in line according to the marks on the stays ... is this good enough ??

The rear tyre is about 2,000 miles old ... and looks as new .....

The steering seems to have gone very light .... very little resistance .... can I tighten the front up ??

I'll re-set the front preload, and see how I fair from there, and if all else fails its a trip to Spanner-mans .... I was hoping to wait until its 15,000 miles service (at nearly 13,000 now) ..... but the rear brake needs some attention too ....

Its tempting to sell it, and put the servicing money towards a new bike !!

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by LK-SV

Rear wheel is in line according to the marks on the stays ... is this good enough ??

No. Although even it being out isn't likely to have the results you describe.

Druid

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

That falling in feeling I have known from head bearings and square rear tyre.

Bike felt better this evening .... but terrible when filtering on rough roads ..... checked when the rear tyre went on, it was probably more like 3,000 miles ago .... beginning to wonder if it's starting to square off ...

D220's ... slow speed commuting mostly with 12 stone me and topbox ..... could they be squaring off already ?

Will get the bearings checked too !! .......... is it a DIY job to nip them up ?? If so, how ??

Thanks ...

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah it is piece of p*ss to do bearings, you need a jack or a block of wood to lift front in air though.

This is what i find when the rear tyre starts to square off. Like the bike tips suddenly, rather than smoothly.

I've wound on some front pre-load (in fully), and wound off a little rear(on about 4), and feels much better this morning ....

...feels like squared off tyres now .... but will look at the bearings ....