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]

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.

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.

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) 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.

[NTECUK]

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





Also took a look at the tyre again and it doesn't seem too bad but here we are maybe you can tell me





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.

Originally Posted by Woogie

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.