Front end handling weirdness

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Right in france on mobile, what would cause a bike to feel like the front tyre has low pressure, the pressure is fine but the handling is heavy at low speed and generally just feels vague. Can people karma good answers my phone is abit limited. Ta chris.
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jimbothe · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Karma :

Worn headstock bearings.
Binding front brake.
Broken spring internal.
Those are the three that come to mind.
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Bike is a triumph thunderbird 900 btw.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Too much weight on the rear would be my guess.

Can you up the rear preload?

My KTM suffered from this horribly thanks to putting too much weight far too far back.
I had on my list to adjust the preload before I went (have to be careful on the 690, really need to have the rear spring compressed if possible) but didn't have time.
Handled fine with nothing on the back, but really horribly and wobbly with it. Was actually quite glad for the alps because it kept my speed down a bit. A few 'concerning' moments in the steep hills in Monaco rush hour.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

This was unloaded, it may be worth upping the preload anyway, also when loaded apparently it vibrates more at speed but unloaded it was fine however 2 different riders opinions. Headstock bearings I would have thought it would 'crack' under breaking.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Also I would have thought broken spring internals would have made abit of noise and you could feel crunching. I will check the brake, but we were comparing disk and tire temps after a mountain run(don't ask) and the disk wasn't that hot.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

I have heard of some handling issues being at the "wrong" end. So, if it feels like there is a problem at the front, its not entirely unreasonable to suggest that something might have gone at the back.

Does the front wheel turn freely? The other option is that the front wheel bearing has collapsed.
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evoboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Karma :

Ingah · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Karma :

I'm thinking bearings too.

Both wheel and head bearings can easily be checked at the roadside.
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

I would have checked the tyre (both pressure and odd wear pattern), then bearings. Head bearings if a bit tight can cause odd problems (you seem to land up constantly over correcting).

Is this a new or old Thunderbird? If the older one then it is like Charlottes, and the brakes stick rapidly (they are also very easy to strip and rebuild).

All the best

Keith
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Binding brake would cause that, or as said a problem at the back end.

To check the brakes, go for a short ride without touching the front brake. Come to a stop using the back brake then flick a ball of spit at the front discs. If they're hot, there's your problem.

A soft back tyre will play havoc with the handling.
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