2 issues with my new Vaquero

Lucky Dutch · 06-27-2016, 02:13 PM

Hello Everyone

I wanted to know if these problems are normal or if I need to get something fixed

My brakes have a different feel depending on how I apply the brakes. For example if I apply the front brake then the rear the front brake is very easy to pull. If I do the opposite and apply the rear brake first then the front brake is noticeably more stiff. Does this have something to do with the linked brakes or is something not right here?

Secondly, the bike pulls right. When I engage cruise I must keep a good grip on the handlebars and keep a little pressure to stay straight. If I let go of the bars the bike pulls right quickly. I am thinking this is effecting my steering all the time making right turns easier and left turns more difficult. Plus it's kinda annoying. Anyone else had this problem?

mike07nad · 06-27-2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky Dutch

Hello Everyone

I wanted to know if these problems are normal or if I need to get something fixed

My brakes have a different feel depending on how I apply the brakes. For example if I apply the front brake then the rear the front brake is very easy to pull. If I do the opposite and apply the rear brake first then the front brake is noticeably more stiff. Does this have something to do with the linked brakes or is something not right here?

Secondly, the bike pulls right. When I engage cruise I must keep a good grip on the handlebars and keep a little pressure to stay straight. If I let go of the bars the bike pulls right quickly. I am thinking this is effecting my steering all the time making right turns easier and left turns more difficult. Plus it's kinda annoying. Anyone else had this problem?

Yep it's the linked brakes you are experiencing. When you apply the Rear bread the K-ACT system applies some percentage to (just the left front - If I remember correctly). So yes when you apply the rear first the front brake will feel different. Similar with the Front - Some percentage is applied to the rear. If I remember right - this is discussed in the owners manual.

For the Pulling to the right - check the alignment of the rear tire. Measure or count the threads on the adjuster bolts. Do not assume the notches are 100% accurate.

Good Luck.
Mike

Lucky Dutch · 06-28-2016, 03:12 PM

The linked brakes are new to me, I figured that was the culprit, and the brakes do feel just fine for stopping power so I will just figure out how to get used to it.

I checked the rear tire alignment by counting the threads and it looks correct (same amount of threads) and the notches also happen to line up correctly. The belt seems to always be to the outermost edge of the rear pulley but not rubbing or riding up the edge at all. Anyone have any other ideas on what can cause this pulling to the right?

recumbentbob · 06-28-2016, 05:42 PM

Is the right front caliper dragging on the rotor?

Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk

blowndodge · 06-28-2016, 06:07 PM

If your belt is riding to the outside edge of the pulley it means that your back tire is pointing left (looking at it from the rear). adjust the belt so it rides close to the inside instead of the outside and see if that helps.

mike07nad · 06-28-2016, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

If your belt is riding to the outside edge of the pulley it means that your back tire is pointing left (looking at it from the rear). adjust the belt so it rides close to the inside instead of the outside and see if that helps.

Me tends to agree with you - Riding on the outside edge is not the preferred place. Not sure of the exact amount but a couple credit card widths from the inside is about the right gap.

I suggest loosening the axel and tightening the right side (non belt side a wisker) This would loosen the belt just a touch - most are too tight anyway.

redjay · 06-29-2016, 08:38 AM

Be careful taking both hands off the bars. You might experience the dreaded wheel wobble that gets progressively worse very quickly.

**Sabre-t** · 06-29-2016, 12:41 PM

Measure the distance of the mark for the pulley adjustment from the swing arm if you think that the marks aren't accurate. Can't hurt to measure from multiple places.

When I got my bike, it pulled to the right. The dealership had put a new rear tire on it before I took possession. When I changed my rear tire, I noticed that the rear brake pads were worn at an angle. Looking at the marks, it looks like they did a piss poor job of aligning when they put the tire on. Now I have them right and no more pulling.

**smokier** · 06-30-2016, 06:31 PM

Lucky Dutch,
For what it is worth, +1 on what has been said.
Linked brakes and the K-ACT ABS feel different than a non version.
Rear tire alignment, triple check that. Also, adjust your luggage a bit. If you have one side noticeably heavier than the other, switch/rearrange, etc.
When my laptop and bag (HEAVY) are in the left (belt side) bag, the bike seems less "neutral" that without anything in the bags...

Ride safe,
Smokier

06-27-2016, 02:13 PM	#1
Lucky Dutch Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Washington State Posts: 55	2 issues with my new Vaquero Hello Everyone I wanted to know if these problems are normal or if I need to get something fixed My brakes have a different feel depending on how I apply the brakes. For example if I apply the front brake then the rear the front brake is very easy to pull. If I do the opposite and apply the rear brake first then the front brake is noticeably more stiff. Does this have something to do with the linked brakes or is something not right here? Secondly, the bike pulls right. When I engage cruise I must keep a good grip on the handlebars and keep a little pressure to stay straight. If I let go of the bars the bike pulls right quickly. I am thinking this is effecting my steering all the time making right turns easier and left turns more difficult. Plus it's kinda annoying. Anyone else had this problem? __________________ 2014 Vaquero ABS SE Candy Burnt Orange -Vance & Hines pro pipe -Thunder MFG Intake -ECU Ivanized -Clearview medium with recurve Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-28-2016, 03:12 PM	#3
Lucky Dutch Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Washington State Posts: 55	The linked brakes are new to me, I figured that was the culprit, and the brakes do feel just fine for stopping power so I will just figure out how to get used to it. I checked the rear tire alignment by counting the threads and it looks correct (same amount of threads) and the notches also happen to line up correctly. The belt seems to always be to the outermost edge of the rear pulley but not rubbing or riding up the edge at all. Anyone have any other ideas on what can cause this pulling to the right? __________________ 2014 Vaquero ABS SE Candy Burnt Orange -Vance & Hines pro pipe -Thunder MFG Intake -ECU Ivanized -Clearview medium with recurve
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06-28-2016, 05:42 PM	#4
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Is the right front caliper dragging on the rotor? Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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06-28-2016, 06:07 PM	#5
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	If your belt is riding to the outside edge of the pulley it means that your back tire is pointing left (looking at it from the rear). adjust the belt so it rides close to the inside instead of the outside and see if that helps. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-30-2016, 06:31 PM	#9
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Lucky Dutch, For what it is worth, +1 on what has been said. Linked brakes and the K-ACT ABS feel different than a non version. Rear tire alignment, triple check that. Also, adjust your luggage a bit. If you have one side noticeably heavier than the other, switch/rearrange, etc. When my laptop and bag (HEAVY) are in the left (belt side) bag, the bike seems less "neutral" that without anything in the bags... Ride safe, Smokier __________________ You only get one, so "Make it the best day ever!" 2014 Victory Cross County Tour Blue Fire Gloss (BFG) "Cruella" Brides Ride: 2012 Victory Crossroads in Sunset Red "Ruby" Previous Vulcans: '15 Vaquero, '12 Vaquero, '10 1700 Nomad, '04 1500 Classic, '01 1500 Classic, '88 Vulcan 750 VROC # 10967 \| VBA # 3115
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06-29-2016, 08:38 AM	#7
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,978	Be careful taking both hands off the bars. You might experience the dreaded wheel wobble that gets progressively worse very quickly.
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06-29-2016, 12:41 PM	#8
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	Measure the distance of the mark for the pulley adjustment from the swing arm if you think that the marks aren't accurate. Can't hurt to measure from multiple places. When I got my bike, it pulled to the right. The dealership had put a new rear tire on it before I took possession. When I changed my rear tire, I noticed that the rear brake pads were worn at an angle. Looking at the marks, it looks like they did a piss poor job of aligning when they put the tire on. Now I have them right and no more pulling.
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