How to reduce the feel?

[Gazz]

Might seem like an odd request but I am looking to reduce the feel of the bike through the handlebars.

The bike was bottoming out a few months back so I changed the fork oil to the grade that was specified by Honda. But the bike still doesn't feel right. It has passed 2 MOTs in this time and I have also taken it to Honda to be checked out but I was told that the bike was fine and that if I gave it to them for an MOT; they wouldn't fail it (I thought it might have been a problem with the steering head bearings at first).

When going over the slightest of bumps (literally small pebbles in the road) you can feel the vibrations coming up right through the bars and into my arms. If you ride over the white lines in the centre of the road it feels like you are firing 2 uzis in both hands. I cannot stress how severe this is. But like I have said, it has been checked out 3 times and came back with no problems.

The air gap is fine and all levels of fork oil are also ok.

Anything else that could be wrong?

Should I just change the grade of oil to something thicker (despite not being what Honda recommend)?

Or can anyone suggest any other possible problems that it could be that I will investigate.

Cheers

Gazz

[Hetzer]

What bike is it? Give us something to work with ffs.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[MarJay]

Sounds like you have too much damping, not too little. That is just a guess though because 'too much feel' sounds like nonsense to me.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Rogerborg]

[Gazz]

Yes, Honda Deauville 650.

Should also mention that when you brake really firmly and just before you come to a stop there is a slight clicking noise coming from the forks.

Due to this I had initially suspected that the bike was still bottoming out - but not as severe this time (no banging noise like before) - because the oil was too thin.

Although I could be wrong.

Any other suggestions?

[Bendy]

Put a cable tie around one of the forks and use it to measure if you're *really* bottoming out or just think you are.

Clicky clunky under braking sounds more like head bearings to me.

[supZ]

perhaps a silly question but how's your grip on the bars?

if your arms are straight with the death grip on it then the suspension won't be able to do its job and you will get horrible feedback through the handlebars. loosening your grip allows it to do its job and smooth out the bumps.

apologies if this isn't the case but its often something people forget about.. especially when, as in your case, the bike has been checked and no faults found.

on that note though.. hows the front tyre pressure? what suspension settings are you currently using? are they the standard ones or have you tried fiddling with them? <-- always a good idea to go back to default then adjust if you're trying to iron out issues.
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[Gazz]

[map]

May sound counter intuitive but have you checked the tyre pressures?

From experience a lot of the handling issues on mine and other bikes have been down to usually too low pressure. Too high can also cause problems but that'd be unusual from what you describe.

If should be a quick check for and clunkiness in the steering and wheel bearings (do a google, lots of help).

Other than that have you checked/asked on the Deauville Owners site for any known clues/fixes for this issue?
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[Bendy]

[evoboy]

The oil is there to set how quickly you want the forks to 'respond'. Generally the thicker the oil, the slower the forks react to bumps.

I think the oil is too thick as it is unable to soak up bumps. From memory, the Deauvillie is like riding a sofa. Every bump is smooth, but it wallows around in corners.

Does it have progressive springs in it?

What weight is the oil? ( unfortunately, i dont have a photographic memory of the Deauvillie maunal... )
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[bladerunner]

Fork bushes worn? Does it feel like the forks are chattering on bumpy roads or under braking? Failing that try a bit more preload if the springs are soft....2p coins can be used for a make shift spacer under the fork caps.....also try std oil in the forks with the spacers...say 15mm to start with.
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

[gavbriggs]

Would it be any use if you sat on your hands before riding or would that just make it feel like someone else is riding it?