C
CoolATIGuy
'05 FZ6, ~10k miles - I did my own oil/oil filter/brake fluid flush/coolant flush myself for the 1st time, so was feeling inspired to move onto another project...
Whenever taking both hands off the handlebars, you can instantly feel the bike start to lean left. I've tried at slow speeds, medium speeds, downhill in neutral, always the same. You can hang your rear/body halfway off the right side, let go, and it will still want to go left. You *can* make it lean to the right, but not as easily or consistently - and once you sit back anywhere near centered, it leans left. Only takes about 3 seconds sitting straight up to go from right side of lane to left just drifting at 35-40mph without hands on bars.
I researched and messed with this literally almost the entire weekend - read all about rear alignments, string aligning, pivot to axle aligning, laser levels, rulers, 2x4's, vinear calipers...enough to make your (my) head swim.
I started with string aligning with thin ribbon and a flexible tape measure (can you say sowing kit?). Finally figured out that wasn't going anywhere, so I bought a digital inch/mm caliper, tape measure, 30lb monofilament string, and set to work.
I've adjusted the back end every which way, had a 2nd set of hands helping, tightened/loosened both adjuster bolts on both sides, tried tightening the left adjuster shorter than the right and vice versa, moved them every which way from Sunday - but every test ride it still drifts left. I even got it string aligned to where (after MANY hours of frustration and tweaking) the chain seemed to be at the right tension AND the front tire seemed to be within 1mm on all sides of the string, so it SHOULD have been aligned. I can minimize the effect somewhat by messing with the alignment bolts, but then it seems to handle fight more when trying to steer the opposite direction...it also generally seems to not handle quite as well AND I'm hearing more chain noises now.
I haven't had the tires changed or adjusted the chain for almost a year (about when I bought it), and haven't laid it down, although I did enter a McDonald's parking lot awhile back of which the entrance was being worked and the turn in was higher than normal (like a curb) - I came in straight on (~20-30mph?) , but it was a big enough jar I was concerned. Mechanic took it for a spin, said it felt fine to him, but while I was/am a novice, it didn't feel like it had...but I figured maybe psychological?
I don't think it's a weight issue, or me not riding straight, or a wallet in my pocket, any of that jazz. Something's off, I just don't know which piece or how to track it down.
So now this is driving me crazy and irritated - I've spent numerous hours and bought several tools to figure this out, laying in the driveway in the gnarly heat we've been having, without the success I was hoping for.
Any thoughts on whether I just am doing the totally wrong thing and the rear is still not aligned, or if I've been chasing the wrong cat and it's actually the front tires, or forks, or fork fluid, or handle bars, or something else? How do you check if the other stuff is straight?
IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK THE BIKE TO RIDE IN A FREAKIN STRAIGHT LINE!?
(thanks for letting me vent - heat stroke prob)
Whenever taking both hands off the handlebars, you can instantly feel the bike start to lean left. I've tried at slow speeds, medium speeds, downhill in neutral, always the same. You can hang your rear/body halfway off the right side, let go, and it will still want to go left. You *can* make it lean to the right, but not as easily or consistently - and once you sit back anywhere near centered, it leans left. Only takes about 3 seconds sitting straight up to go from right side of lane to left just drifting at 35-40mph without hands on bars.
I researched and messed with this literally almost the entire weekend - read all about rear alignments, string aligning, pivot to axle aligning, laser levels, rulers, 2x4's, vinear calipers...enough to make your (my) head swim.
I started with string aligning with thin ribbon and a flexible tape measure (can you say sowing kit?). Finally figured out that wasn't going anywhere, so I bought a digital inch/mm caliper, tape measure, 30lb monofilament string, and set to work.
I've adjusted the back end every which way, had a 2nd set of hands helping, tightened/loosened both adjuster bolts on both sides, tried tightening the left adjuster shorter than the right and vice versa, moved them every which way from Sunday - but every test ride it still drifts left. I even got it string aligned to where (after MANY hours of frustration and tweaking) the chain seemed to be at the right tension AND the front tire seemed to be within 1mm on all sides of the string, so it SHOULD have been aligned. I can minimize the effect somewhat by messing with the alignment bolts, but then it seems to handle fight more when trying to steer the opposite direction...it also generally seems to not handle quite as well AND I'm hearing more chain noises now.
I haven't had the tires changed or adjusted the chain for almost a year (about when I bought it), and haven't laid it down, although I did enter a McDonald's parking lot awhile back of which the entrance was being worked and the turn in was higher than normal (like a curb) - I came in straight on (~20-30mph?) , but it was a big enough jar I was concerned. Mechanic took it for a spin, said it felt fine to him, but while I was/am a novice, it didn't feel like it had...but I figured maybe psychological?
I don't think it's a weight issue, or me not riding straight, or a wallet in my pocket, any of that jazz. Something's off, I just don't know which piece or how to track it down.
So now this is driving me crazy and irritated - I've spent numerous hours and bought several tools to figure this out, laying in the driveway in the gnarly heat we've been having, without the success I was hoping for.
Any thoughts on whether I just am doing the totally wrong thing and the rear is still not aligned, or if I've been chasing the wrong cat and it's actually the front tires, or forks, or fork fluid, or handle bars, or something else? How do you check if the other stuff is straight?
IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK THE BIKE TO RIDE IN A FREAKIN STRAIGHT LINE!?
(thanks for letting me vent - heat stroke prob)
