centre stand won't lift rear wheel?

[dn38416]

My beleaguered GPZ500 is going through another set of issues. Recently i've been feeling something hitting the swingarm when i go over even minor bumps (as felt through the footpegs). It sounded a lot like the chain which is well due replacement. So i tightened the chain right to inside its limit, which alleviated the problem slightly but still had a slapping sound despite being clear of the swingarm. Weird that the problem came on suddenly, yet the chain would have slackened gradually.

Anyway the centre stand was working fine on the way back home today, but like a dick i decided to check that it wasn't the centre stand banging by (whilst moving) tapping down on the centre stand peg to feel whether it was that banging etc...anyway it hit the road momentarily. There's a slight ding on one of the front facing lobes. Got to the garage and stuck it on the centre stand, which felt slightly different, stand was flat on the ground but rear wheel wasn't off the ground.

What you reckon? Looking around one candidate is that shock has gone, but i can't see how the centre stand incident would have fcked that - unless it smacked it on the way back up?

[stinkwheel]

Check the play on your unitrak bushes. GPZs eat those for breakfast. Also the swingarm bearings

Get the rear wheel up off the ground (maybe put a plank under the mainstand) then put a pry bar under the rear wheel and lever it up and down, see how much free play there is before you come up against the shock spring. There should be almost none. If there is a lot, you shold be able to see where the movement is. It's usually in the bushes on the unitrak casting but could also be swingarm bearings or wheel bearings.

Also check the cush drive bearing for play by wiggling the sprocket up and down/side-to-side and back and forth (might explain your chain issues). The bearing can be completely shot and not really affect the handling.

Visually inspect the mainstand for bends/cracks with a bright light. Also have a look at the pivots for signs of damage and free play, the mountings can go oval over time. Have a look at the angle the stand is sitting at when the bike is on the stand, it should come to very slightly over the vertical. If it's pointing way forwards, you could have damage/wear on either the pivot or the bump stop.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[doggone]

It's probably bent the stand slightly, I guess a few mm shorter amounts to 2 or 3 inches at the wheel.

[Nobby the Bastard]

I'm inclined to go with stinkers suggestion.fucked bearings would mean loads of slop on the suspension.

Is the bike stable on the centre stand or does it want to fall off? That'll tell you whether it's the stand or the suspension.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[dn38416]

cheers guys that's very useful [stink you're a bloody legend on these bikes].

I think the cush drives are ok because i looked at those when i was sus about the chain. I've got it going in for a chain and sproket change tomorrow (because like a pussy i don't trust me and the sealey kit to rivet it right), i'll get them to take a look as well.

I'll check the unitrack bushes too, but by the sounds of it and the sudden nature of it makes me think it has to be the stand. Thinking about it the mounts are a bit ropey. A couple of summers ago i had the lower cowling off for a few months and the bracket holding it on just dropped off one day as the nut had worked itself loose.

Hope so anyway, if it's £anything other than the stand then it's probs the end of the road for this one.

[dn38416]

[Nobby the Bastard]

[dn38416]

[Nobby the Bastard]

If you can lift the wheel then it's an issue with the suspension or its links.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[dn38416]

yeah you were right it's the shock that's gone.