VFR800 - Vague front end?

[95Theses]

I'm not even sure vague is the right description.

I've had a '99 VFR800 for a year and put 12k miles on it (19>31)

It's never missed a beat, but the last couple of hundred miles the front end feels strange, sort of light.

Low speed corners it wants to turn the bars into the corner, almost like I'm steering it around instead of leaning through the bend. If I hit a bump cornering, the bars give a bit of a shake instead of just absorbing it. It feels flighty and a bit unstable under cornering, enough that I'm tootling around bends instead of driving through them because I don't trust it not to drop right into the bend.

The only time I've felt it anything like that before was when I had a nail in the rear and the soft back tyre was making it feel a bit similar.

I've carried a pillion quite a bit and I thought it might be the rear shock on the way out making the rear sit low and the front high, but equally I thought it might be the head bearings.

Basically I've no idea what it is as I've no experience on maintaining a bike so don't know where to start looking for what to fix.

What could it be, and how do I check it?

Thanks

[moonzoomer]

Could be a number of things, worn or incorrectly adjusted suspension and/or suspension linkages front and rear, worn or non suitable tyres, worn wheel bearings or headstock bearings, some models have linked brakes that give problems so imo its a process of Elimination until the fault is found.

[chris-red]

First things first, tyre pressures.
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[95Theses]

Thanks

Matching pair of Angel ST's on it with about 800 miles on them, pressure is fine on both - checked yesterday.

Haven't adjusted the suspension so can't be incorrect adjustment - could well be worn as I suggested, but no idea how to check aside from what I've done so far - bounce it up and down a bit on and off it and go 'That feels about right'!

Mine does have linked brakes, but brakes feel fine and it feels stable under heavy braking

Looking for a suggestion for where to start looking (as in whats most likely) and how to go about checking it if someone can help.

[moonzoomer]

Check the anti dive link mechanism for free movement, if I remember right its the front left caliper that moves up and down on a pivot bracket on your model, this in turn transfers brake fluid to the rear caliper to steady the bike. The moving bracket has a plunger cylinder that is prone to seize and grow up so check this for free movement by pushing the bike forward and applying the front brake, the mechanism should move slightly activating the pushrod and then the back brake. If this mechanism is seized or semi seized it can apply the back rake without you knowing possibly causing the handling problem you have encountered. This is a reasonably common on older Honda Blackbirds with a very simiiar system.

[temeluchus]

Few things to look for in no particular order.

Tyres ok? Plemty of tread, no crazy paving?

Is there any oil in the forks? Are they damping properly, no signs of any leaks?

Wheel bearings ok(front and back)? On the centrestand give both wheels a good wiggle, check for any play.

Swingarm bearings ok? As above, give the swingarm a good yank to see if there is any side to side movement.

Fork or forks bent? Bottom yolk bent?

Wheel warped(front and back)?

Suspension linkage bearings ok? Check for vertical play in the suspension.
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[Barnaby]

Problems at the front are almost invariably caused by problems at the rear.

It's not your tyres, pressures, or anything mechanically worn or failed.

So it must be the shock.

You haven't altered any settings, so I'd guess it's fading away slowly. Set your preload for the correct static sag, then up any damping adjustments you may have by a couple of notch's.

If this improves the front end response, don't expect it to last. The shock will still need to be replaced/upgraded.
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[iooi]

[prawny1]

often on bike rear suspension/wheel play can be mistaken for front end issues, check the swing arm and wheel bearing for play.

also notchy steering head bearings can cause you to unknowingly apply greater preasure to turn the bike so steering can feel almost exaggerated and will not want to self centre properly, to check for play hold your hand round the frame/upper steering pivot and rock the bike withe the brakes on.

to check for notches put the bike on the centre stand and take the weight off the front wheel, then turn the bars lock to lock.
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[anthony_r6]

This is EXACTLY what's happening to my Hornet. You've been able to describe the problems a lot more coherently than me! Thank You all, I'll hopefully be able to check all these too.
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[Vincent]

OP; I'll be swapping my forks and shock with Maxton units in the near future. You're welcome to try my original ones if it would help. I suspect it is the rear where the problem is. A lot of owners drop the forks 10mm which is supposed to improve the handling and also drop the pressures from what Honda recommend.
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[stinkwheel]

Could your front brake be binding on slightly?

Any blueing on the disc etc?
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[anthony_r6]

[prawny1]

Sticky caliper and motorway (any) riding = potential sudden wheel lock up
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[anthony_r6]