Adjusting handle bar steering

xncrman · 06-22-2010, 08:22 AM

Went to Virginia last week and never thought the 1/2 deg difference in the handle bars would bug me so much. The ride seems to be fine but my left side is about a half degree forward from the right, any help out there?

AlabamaNomadRider · 06-22-2010, 08:46 AM

How did the 1/2 degree difference come about? Did the handlebar get bent? I am sure someone here can help you but think more information is needed. Unless you posted some where else and I missed it.

macmac · 06-22-2010, 09:09 AM

Bent bar? bent risers? Broke collar bone?

redjay · 06-22-2010, 09:15 AM

Try loosening the bolts that hold the handlebar clamps to the top yoke and re adjust. There is a bit of play in the bolt holes.

pagemastr · 06-22-2010, 02:37 PM

You are sure that one arm just isn't a little shorter than the other making it seem that way?

xncrman · 06-22-2010, 03:48 PM

New tires. It's like the rear tire is not quite 100% inline. I looked in the Clymers book and did find any adjustments or I skipped over.

**ringadingh** · 06-22-2010, 04:08 PM

Bend the bars to where they do suit you better.

macmac · 06-22-2010, 06:36 PM

Is the swing arm in the center? It sort of should be, sort of. There is no pre load to the swing arm and it is some wicked sloppy on the show room floor. It wants a service at each 7,000 miles. it might not have any grease in the swing arm bearings unless you did it, and you really need to know if the U Joint is good or not, since the robot didn't get it right in the first place on a great deal of Vulcan Nomads.

To test the swing arm, the rear wheel should be off the ground. You first pull it at you, then force it away. Doing that a few times, gets a feel you learn. Then you look at the seal where the long bolt goes on the left side as seated.

If you have a tolerance of 0.138 inch it is a joke. The spec should be 0.002 +/- 0,005. No Nomad has that, with out some fancy custom shiming, and then it will change.

Why? because the seals are actting as thrust washers, and some bean counter thought needle bearings would work ok, and so no one designed taper bearings as there should be, and with a pre load.

AlabamaNomadRider · 06-23-2010, 08:18 AM

Sound advice Mac. I will remember that.

06-22-2010, 08:22 AM	#1
xncrman Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lansing, Michigan Posts: 207	Adjusting handle bar steering Went to Virginia last week and never thought the 1/2 deg difference in the handle bars would bug me so much. The ride seems to be fine but my left side is about a half degree forward from the right, any help out there? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-22-2010, 08:46 AM	#2
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Adjusting handle bar steering How did the 1/2 degree difference come about? Did the handlebar get bent? I am sure someone here can help you but think more information is needed. Unless you posted some where else and I missed it. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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06-22-2010, 09:09 AM	#3
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Adjusting handle bar steering Bent bar? bent risers? Broke collar bone? __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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06-22-2010, 09:15 AM	#4
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,927	Adjusting handle bar steering Try loosening the bolts that hold the handlebar clamps to the top yoke and re adjust. There is a bit of play in the bolt holes.
	0

06-22-2010, 02:37 PM	#5
pagemastr Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 676	Adjusting handle bar steering You are sure that one arm just isn't a little shorter than the other making it seem that way? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-22-2010, 03:48 PM	#6
xncrman Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lansing, Michigan Posts: 207	Adjusting handle bar steering New tires. It's like the rear tire is not quite 100% inline. I looked in the Clymers book and did find any adjustments or I skipped over.
	0

06-22-2010, 04:08 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Adjusting handle bar steering Bend the bars to where they do suit you better. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-22-2010, 06:36 PM	#8
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Adjusting handle bar steering Is the swing arm in the center? It sort of should be, sort of. There is no pre load to the swing arm and it is some wicked sloppy on the show room floor. It wants a service at each 7,000 miles. it might not have any grease in the swing arm bearings unless you did it, and you really need to know if the U Joint is good or not, since the robot didn't get it right in the first place on a great deal of Vulcan Nomads. To test the swing arm, the rear wheel should be off the ground. You first pull it at you, then force it away. Doing that a few times, gets a feel you learn. Then you look at the seal where the long bolt goes on the left side as seated. If you have a tolerance of 0.138 inch it is a joke. The spec should be 0.002 +/- 0,005. No Nomad has that, with out some fancy custom shiming, and then it will change. Why? because the seals are actting as thrust washers, and some bean counter thought needle bearings would work ok, and so no one designed taper bearings as there should be, and with a pre load. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

06-23-2010, 08:18 AM	#9
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Adjusting handle bar steering Sound advice Mac. I will remember that. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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