Bike handling gone to pot..Help??

Forum rules
Please can you post items for sale or wanted in the correct For Sale section. Items / bikes for sale here will be removed without warning. Reasons for this are in the FAQ. Thanks
Post Reply
User avatar
jowyvfr
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat May 03, 2008 4:19 pm
Bike owned: Aprilia rs125, nc30,..Van Van!
Location: SW London
Bike handling gone to pot..Help??

Post by jowyvfr »

Right, I recently got my bike back from a service and general tart up including a nice new set of linear fork springs. Head bearings were knackered to say the least and were also replaced and the result was a bike that handled like an absolute dream! It took a little getting used to, having been riding it with the knackered head bearings and having almost got used to it like that.
It tipped into corners beautifully, sticking to any line you gave it easily, and was really easy to flick about. lovely!!
However having put in a good few hundred miles since having got it back, something seems to have changed. I don't know when it happened exactly and don't know when i noticed it first, but for some reason it feels different, and not in a good way. The handling seems to have reverted to the old way, but worse! Corners are NOT nice, very twitchy, and it feels like the front, instead of being solid and stuck to the road is going to slide out. The handlebars have a weird feeling in them 'heavy' and 'light' at the same time, its like i'm fighting against them to try and turn the corner and when i finally get round it i swing out wide instead of being able to take a nice tight line.
Now the problem with me is I ain't all that technical when it comes to knowing whats wrong! I can appreciate it when its right, and even tell you when its wrong, but as far as diagnosing it :? I couldn't tell you. So, what do you guys think, is this a symptom of loose head bearings? could the new ones need tightening? I say that as if I'd know how to do it! Have my forks changed somehow? Thats me out of ideas :oops: . I've not changed anything since getting the bike back not adjusted the damping or removed anything.
Help guys, I need to feel those tight lines again!! :cry: What does it sound like to you. I can't believe that its gone from the best bike i've ever ridden, to a royal pain in the ass to ride. Your advice is always appreciated. Cheers.
User avatar
monkeywithaplan
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Posts: 236
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:45 pm
Bike owned: NC35 and NC30
Location: Belfast. Northern Ireland
Re: Bike handling gone to pot..Help??

Post by monkeywithaplan »

tighten up your head bearings. its just them bedding in, which will result in your loose feeling. a knock in the front is also a sign of this over bumps and and braking.
Insisting on perfect safety is for people who don't have the balls to live in the real world. Mary Shafer, NASA Ames Dryden

Bikes don't leak oil, they mark their territory.
1990nc30
Settled in member
Posts: 153
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:46 pm
Re: Bike handling gone to pot..Help??

Post by 1990nc30 »

Yep tighten up those head bearings and she should feel lovely to ride again! Did mine the other day and what a difference that made! :D
shokrabi
Settled in member
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:49 pm
Re: Bike handling gone to pot..Help??

Post by shokrabi »

I say that as if I'd know how to do it!
I think jowyvfr said that he doesn't know how, maybe someone could give him some good instructions
User avatar
monkeywithaplan
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Posts: 236
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:45 pm
Bike owned: NC35 and NC30
Location: Belfast. Northern Ireland
Re: Bike handling gone to pot..Help??

Post by monkeywithaplan »

shokrabi wrote:
I say that as if I'd know how to do it!
I think jowyvfr said that he doesn't know how, maybe someone could give him some good instructions
ahh, good point, if you can wait a few days, i will need to give mine a tighten again to get rid of a knock. its on a NC35 but its the same thing really. will take some pics to make it easier to get to grips with.
Insisting on perfect safety is for people who don't have the balls to live in the real world. Mary Shafer, NASA Ames Dryden

Bikes don't leak oil, they mark their territory.
carlwb3
Settled in member
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 9:06 am
Location: cambridge
Re: Bike handling gone to pot..Help??

Post by carlwb3 »

monkeywithaplan wrote:
shokrabi wrote:
I say that as if I'd know how to do it!
I think jowyvfr said that he doesn't know how, maybe someone could give him some good instructions
ahh, good point, if you can wait a few days, i will need to give mine a tighten again to get rid of a knock. its on a NC35 but its the same thing really. will take some pics to make it easier to get to grips with.
colingram gave a nice description when i asked the same thing a few weeks ago - http://www.400greybike.cc/newforum/view ... &start=10

i didn't fork out £11 for the 41mm socket, but local bike shop might loosen/tighten it for you if you ask nicely!?

Post Reply