Bike wanders ...

[mbarr10]

Rear tick mark alignment is important. - I had a Dealer tech put the left tick mark just to the right of the third mark, and the left tick mark just to the right of the third mark.
Tire was off center and bike wandered bad. When I got it home I found it and corrected it myself.

Thanks Very much. So I can Count on the marks? I always wondered if I could trust them as accurate , Thought they were just reference points. Never had an issue since the last 2 bikes were Shaft drive.

[Ridefree]

The dealership put new tires on the bike when I purchased it . Funny , I don't even know what they are , I never looked . I just checked them to make sure they were rolling in the right direction . Checked the pressure yesterday . All is good

I'm going to have some time to get it up on the lift tomorrow and check the marks . I'll let you know what I find .

[mbarr10]

The dealership put new tires on the bike when I purchased it . Funny , I don't even know what they are , I never looked .

And really Who cares, you have new tires. The caring comes later when you dial in what you think you want in a tire. Balancing what you do not like against what people say they like. All In all it is a better researched decision than what is the best oil to run. That one always makes me Laugh.

[Ridefree]

Exactly , I was just happy to hear that they were . I'm not going to have to change them for quite some time . We all have are preferences . I'll just get the rear aligned as best I can and ride .

I have no comment on oil !!

[Sabre-t]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

Thanks Very much. So I can Count on the marks? I always wondered if I could trust them as accurate , Thought they were just reference points. Never had an issue since the last 2 bikes were Shaft drive.

I wondered that, too. After aligning on the ticks, I measured the distance from the alignment mark to the same place on each side of the swing arm. Very accurate, at least on my bike.

[Ace]

I never believed that the marks on the axle adjusters were right until I conducted a few checks to verify alignment. To my surprise, the marks are accurate. I do, however, use a ratchet strap and pull the wheel forward after I have adjusted each side and before I tighten the axle. The adjuster hole is slightly larger than the axle so there is a little slop, the belt side adjuster (because of belt tension) keeps the axle against the front of the left side adjuster while the right tends to have the axle against the back of the adjuster. Using the ratchet strap to pull the wheel forward ensures the axle is against the front side of both adjusters.

Works for me...

[mike07nad]

Originally Posted by Ridefree

Exactly , I was just happy to hear that they were . I'm not going to have to change them for quite some time . We all have are preferences . I'll just get the rear aligned as best I can and ride .

I have no comment on oil !!

New tire going a long time - Well if they put on a Stock OEM Bridgestone - Long time may only be 5 - 6,000 miles. They don't last all that long.

If they put on a Commander II or Metzler or Dunlop American Elite - you will more than likely get 12 - 15,000 miles.

If they put on a say Dunlop 404 - it's the wrong tire - too skinny for the rim and a couple hundred pounds of load carrying light.

All that to say - Just because it's new doesn't make it long lasting or RIGHT.

Check what you got.

[Ridefree]

Later today I'm going to lift the bike up and make my adjustments . Hopefully all goes well .
Ace , great idea on keeping the axle true . I'll have my strap ready when tightening the axle bolts .

[mike07nad]

Originally Posted by Ridefree

I have no comment on oil !!

I used to have a strong opinion on oil - but they changed the formula on Shell Rotella T6 and I'm not sure I have an opinion anymore.

Arg!

[Ridefree]

Update . I went to the dealer where I bought my bike to see if a part had come in and due to my excitement of finally having a chance at landing a Vaquero . I was told in fact the rear tire was fairly new ( it had seen a few miles ) . They only replaced the front which was worn down quite badly .

After I jacked up the bike I checked for alignment and just couldn't see it being off . The marks were dead on . I used a straight piece of rod and measured from the swing arm to the center of the axle bolt . Both sides were identical .

BUT .... I decided to clean the rear since I had the bags off anyway . I started cleaning the rim when I noticed that the tire felt a little funny when spinning it with my hand . Still lots of tread on it , from the center of the tire out toward the right it was perfectly round but the other side had a worn flat spot all around the tire . This is what I predict is causing my bike to kick out .

Don't really know what would have caused this but it looks like a new tire is in the near future .... I'll just have them put the same make tire on the rear as the front .

I don't dare start a new thread on which tire I should go with !!!

[redjay]

Maybe the previous owner only made left turns :)

[mike07nad]

Originally Posted by Ridefree

Update . I went to the dealer where I bought my bike to see if a part had come in and due to my excitement of finally having a chance at landing a Vaquero . I was told in fact the rear tire was fairly new ( it had seen a few miles ) . They only replaced the front which was worn down quite badly .

After I jacked up the bike I checked for alignment and just couldn't see it being off . The marks were dead on . I used a straight piece of rod and measured from the swing arm to the center of the axle bolt . Both sides were identical .

BUT .... I decided to clean the rear since I had the bags off anyway . I started cleaning the rim when I noticed that the tire felt a little funny when spinning it with my hand . Still lots of tread on it , from the center of the tire out toward the right it was perfectly round but the other side had a worn flat spot all around the tire . This is what I predict is causing my bike to kick out .

Don't really know what would have caused this but it looks like a new tire is in the near future .... I'll just have them put the same make tire on the rear as the front .

I don't dare start a new thread on which tire I should go with !!!

I'm glad you took the time to look - Happy Tire Shopping.

[mbarr10]

Maybe the previous owner only made left turns

Must have been a Fed Ex Driver, UPS only makes right turns

Thank you, Mike o7nad. your incite, sharing your experience and your lack of Oil and tire preference is appreciated

Although I hear...........is the best oil out there.

[mbarr10]

Ok Time for a new garage computer. Went to edit and it sent. I meant Ridefree, But still Mike07nad showed restraint.

[mike07nad]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

But still Mike07nad showed restraint.

Well now that you mention it - DunlopAvonMetzlerBridgestoneVenomAmericanEliteMara thonMichelinGoodyearGeneralAltimaxTripletredRotell aAmsoilCastrolMobile1CanolaOilCoconutOilOilofOlay are my favorite products and I would recommend them to just about anyone!