Bike pulls to the right

deacon · 08-31-2010, 08:53 PM

I've had the bike for about two weeks now, and noticed today that it seems to pull to the right. I have to keep pressure on the left side of the handle bars. I tried lifting my hands off the handle bars a couple of inches and the bike really angles for the gutter.

I think it may have been doing it a along but I didn't notice it so much because I was still getting used to a bigger bike. My thoughts were that maybe the air pressure in the rear shocks may be different from one side to the other. I brought it to the shop where I bought it and asked them to check the pressure in the rear shocks. They drained the air from both sides and brought them back up to ten pounds each side. They also said my front tire was down a bit as well. It seems to be better but I didn't dare test to much because I had my son on the back.

Has anyone else had a similar problem, or have any thoughts on what might cause it to pull to the right?

Thanks :)

**ringadingh** · 08-31-2010, 09:05 PM

It could be just the crown in the roads you are riding. Or it could be the way the tires are wearing. Sometimes I think mine does that also.

Netnorske · 08-31-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

It could be just the crown in the roads you are riding. Or it could be the way the tires are wearing. Sometimes I think mine does that also.

Just a thought here....but I think the driveshaft also poses some kind of gyro effect, however minute, because although when I let go of the bars I can usually keep it somewhat straight...I have to toss my weight from one side or the other to offset it :-/.

socwkbiker · 08-31-2010, 09:40 PM

Have the dealer check the balance on your front tire. It may be out of balance. And it may only be by a few pounds, but that can make a difference in how the bike handles.

kenb · 08-31-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWB,voices tell me evil things

Have the dealer check the balance on your front tire. It may be out of balance. And it may only be by a few pounds, but that can make a difference in how the bike handles.

Sure hope I never have ANY tire be out of balance by a few pounds!

blowndodge · 08-31-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWB,voices tell me evil things

Have the dealer check the balance on your front tire. It may be out of balance. And it may only be by a few pounds, but that can make a difference in how the bike handles.

<marquee>Go back to sleep you wannabe mechanic Troll

</marquee>

AlabamaNomadRider · 09-01-2010, 01:02 AM

Never had that problem and it does seem like a problem. I think I would have the front fork checked out.

dandantmm · 09-01-2010, 01:07 AM

What do you have in your saddlebags? the right side bag is the easiest to get into so it usually ends up with more stuff which makes it heavier. that could cause what you are experiencing.

Todd · 09-01-2010, 08:42 AM

[quote=Blowndodge "Darksider"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "SWB,voices tell me evil things":eq3gx949

Have the dealer check the balance on your front tire. It may be out of balance. And it may only be by a few pounds, but that can make a difference in how the bike handles.

<marquee>Go back to sleep you wannabe mechanic Troll

</marquee>[/quote:eq3gx949]

ROFLMAO

Make sure you ride with your weight centered too...I have followed people down the road before that are shifted so far that the bike is in a constant lean..and they never realized it.

boomerang2120 · 09-01-2010, 11:10 AM

Had the same issue with my very first bike ~ Turned out to be nothing more than a balance job ~ And I'm sure the tech didn't use more than 30 or 40 lbs to get it right......

macmac · 09-01-2010, 11:56 AM

Might be the bike was dropped at some point, and the forks are twisted in the triple trees, hard telling not knowin'. Might be the swingarm is off set at it's mounts too, or the seals used incorrectly as thrust washers are worn out, leaving the swing arm can'ted.

If you are using the dealer on the Farmington Rochester line good luck. They won't know what a swing arm seal is.

redjay · 09-01-2010, 06:29 PM

My guess is the front tire is worn abnormally.

dogdoc · 09-02-2010, 01:57 PM

+1 Dan. I once picked up 2 gallons of paint and placed both on the same side. WOW. It did affect steering alot.

socwkbiker · 09-02-2010, 10:10 PM

[quote=Blowndodge "Darksider"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "SWB,voices tell me evil things":c14fxf41

Have the dealer check the balance on your front tire. It may be out of balance. And it may only be by a few pounds, but that can make a difference in how the bike handles.

<marquee>Go back to sleep you wannabe mechanic Troll

</marquee>[/quote:c14fxf41]
<marquee>I'm sorry, last I heard sissy boys weren't allowed to comment. Don't you have a shirt to iron?

</marquee>

08-31-2010, 08:53 PM	#1
deacon Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spencorport, NY Posts: 325	Bike pulls to the right I've had the bike for about two weeks now, and noticed today that it seems to pull to the right. I have to keep pressure on the left side of the handle bars. I tried lifting my hands off the handle bars a couple of inches and the bike really angles for the gutter. I think it may have been doing it a along but I didn't notice it so much because I was still getting used to a bigger bike. My thoughts were that maybe the air pressure in the rear shocks may be different from one side to the other. I brought it to the shop where I bought it and asked them to check the pressure in the rear shocks. They drained the air from both sides and brought them back up to ten pounds each side. They also said my front tire was down a bit as well. It seems to be better but I didn't dare test to much because I had my son on the back. Has anyone else had a similar problem, or have any thoughts on what might cause it to pull to the right? Thanks :) Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-31-2010, 09:05 PM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Bike pulls to the right It could be just the crown in the roads you are riding. Or it could be the way the tires are wearing. Sometimes I think mine does that also. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

08-31-2010, 09:40 PM	#4
socwkbiker Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jefferson City, MO Posts: 6,272	Bike pulls to the right Have the dealer check the balance on your front tire. It may be out of balance. And it may only be by a few pounds, but that can make a difference in how the bike handles. __________________ Jeff Platz VBA #0002 VBA VP-Global B.A.C.A. Hoss 2005 "StrongBear" Black/Silver Todd and BD
	0

09-01-2010, 01:02 AM	#7
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Bike pulls to the right Never had that problem and it does seem like a problem. I think I would have the front fork checked out. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
	0

09-01-2010, 01:07 AM	#8
dandantmm Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 235	Bike pulls to the right What do you have in your saddlebags? the right side bag is the easiest to get into so it usually ends up with more stuff which makes it heavier. that could cause what you are experiencing.
	0

09-01-2010, 11:10 AM	#10
boomerang2120 Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Winston Salem, NC Posts: 115	Bike pulls to the right Had the same issue with my very first bike ~ Turned out to be nothing more than a balance job ~ And I'm sure the tech didn't use more than 30 or 40 lbs to get it right...... __________________ '00 - 1500 'Carbed' Nomad VBA #01600
	0

09-01-2010, 11:56 AM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Bike pulls to the right Might be the bike was dropped at some point, and the forks are twisted in the triple trees, hard telling not knowin'. Might be the swingarm is off set at it's mounts too, or the seals used incorrectly as thrust washers are worn out, leaving the swing arm can'ted. If you are using the dealer on the Farmington Rochester line good luck. They won't know what a swing arm seal is. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

09-01-2010, 06:29 PM	#12
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,017	Bike pulls to the right My guess is the front tire is worn abnormally.
	0

09-02-2010, 01:57 PM	#13
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Bike pulls to the right +1 Dan. I once picked up 2 gallons of paint and placed both on the same side. WOW. It did affect steering alot.
	0

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