Hello guys! I haven’t been around for awhile and haven’t had a chance to do much riding either. In fact, I just got my license back after a 5-month suspension due to medical issues.
Anyway, right before my license was suspended I reinstalled my Ohlins shock and set it to factory defaults then set the sag for my weight. I also had the rear tire patched. Since then it seems like my alignment is off. I have never had this issue on a bike before, but the bike constantly wants to turn right. I have to hang my butt off the left side to keep the bike going straight. Did I put the shock back on wrong? Did I jack up the SSSA or something? Has weight somehow shifted on my bike so it’s not balanced anymore? I didn’t even know bikes could get out off alignment…
Welcome back! :fing02:
Not sure how you could cause an issue like this by installing a rear shock? :unsure:
The rear is pretty much locked in proper alignment Unless the SSSA pinch bolt is loose (did you adjust your chain recently?), so I would think it would more easily be caused by a front end issue. Did you do any front end work? :huh:
BR
I agree with BR, it would be quite difficult for the rear to become misaligned from swapping out a shock... it all bolts up in line...
I am reminded of a time I experienced the very same symptoms you are... I had recently changed the front rim and the bike wanted to go right... after going mad wondering why, I finally realized that I had put the spacers on the wrong way round (they're not of identical length)... if you've removed the front wheel recently you may have done the same...
Release and re-tighten pinch bolts holding the forks in tripples. That helped me a little once.
[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on 28 December 2009 - 04:47 PM, said:
I finally realized that I had put the spacers on the wrong way round
I didn't know that his was possible.
Wouldn't the rotors rub?
Ah, it�s good to see the usual suspects ;)
Sounds like it�s a front end issue�
I did not adjust my chain, but I did lube it. I guess I could check the SSSA pinch bolt. As soon as I look up what that is in the manual.
I haven�t done any front end work recently, but I haven�t ridden recently either. I have had the front tire off a few times, loosened my forks, replaced the springs and fluid, etc. I will check the spacers as soon as I get home. With the wheel on I�ll loosen and re-tighten my triples to see if that helps how the forks are seated.
Thanks!
Check tire pressures! :rolleyes:
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on 28 December 2009 - 03:25 PM, said:
Check tire pressures! :rolleyes:
Done. That's the one thing I'm good at ;)
[image: View Post]Rice, on 28 December 2009 - 11:02 PM, said:
Release and re-tighten pinch bolts holding the forks in tripples. That helped me a little once.
[image: View Post]Auspañol, on 28 December 2009 - 04:47 PM, said:
I finally realized that I had put the spacers on the wrong way round
I didn't know that his was possible.
Wouldn't the rotors rub?
Yeah you'd think they would, but they didn't...
To the original poster: check you've got the three bolts in the triangular spacers tightened up properly and that it all looks in line... another thing that occurs to me is perhaps the mating surface of the rear wheel isn't flush up against the hub. I have seen this once, as when the bike's on the centrestand the rear wheel is in the air and when replacing, it's a somewhat heavy MF (for me at least) and it it is possible to have it slightly off... although I would imagine the effects would be much more obvious... not to mention disastrous...
Although it never got touched, it is also possible for the swingarm pivot bolt and nut to move around if the swingarm pivot mount pinch bolts aren't tightened. Just another possibility.
Make sure your fork height above the triple clamp is correct and equal on both forks. How many miles on your tires? If you have a few thousand miles on them, they could be cupped. This would be something that you don't notice so much when riding every day, but sticks out like a sore thumb when you get on after a long leave...
Did you ever come to any conclusions on this one?
[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on 05 January 2010 - 08:27 AM, said:
Did you ever come to any conclusions on this one?
Kind of...
The spacers weren't the issue. As fas as I can tell there is no way to get them mixed up on an '06. You can switch them but the front wheel simply won't go back on.
The left brakes were rubbing pretty bad prior to taking the wheel off. When I put it back on I made sure to separate the brakes with a screw driver, pushing the caliper pistons back in. When I put the wheel back on it spun freely. Now when I ride it does not drag to the right. I followed the shop manual and took the bike off the stand, held the brakes, and pumped the front end a few times before re-torquing everything. Seems to work OK now. When the bike is on the stand it still rubs a little, but way less than before. Maybe the last time I put the front wheel on I didn't separate the brake pads like you're supposed to?
[image: View Post]canib, on 19 February 2010 - 03:06 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on 05 January 2010 - 08:27 AM, said:
Did you ever come to any conclusions on this one?
Kind of...
The spacers weren't the issue. As fas as I can tell there is no way to get them mixed up on an '06. You can switch them but the front wheel simply won't go back on.
The left brakes were rubbing pretty bad prior to taking the wheel off. When I put it back on I made sure to separate the brakes with a screw driver, pushing the caliper pistons back in. When I put the wheel back on it spun freely. Now when I ride it does not drag to the right. I followed the shop manual and took the bike off the stand, held the brakes, and pumped the front end a few times before re-torquing everything. Seems to work OK now. When the bike is on the stand it still rubs a little, but way less than before. Maybe the last time I put the front wheel on I didn't separate the brake pads like you're supposed to?
Pushing the pads in is just a convenience - the pads "float" in & out on guide pins. The pads will only stick if either the pistons or guide pins are dirty. So, if the problem comes up again, take a little time to clean your brakes up.(you should always clean the pistons before pushing them in anyway, to avoid damaging the seals)
How are your tires? Was the front cupped at all?
[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on 28 December 2009 - 06:54 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Rice, on 28 December 2009 - 11:02 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on 28 December 2009 - 04:47 PM, said:
I didn't know that his was possible.
Wouldn't the rotors rub?
Yeah you'd think they would, but they didn't...
I had a redneck mechanic put the front wheel on wrong while changing a tire. The wheel did go in backwards and the rotors did rub, but not so much that the wheel would not turn. Irrelevant since this wasn't his problem, but just wanted to clarify.
I don't understand how brakes could make the bike turn to one side. Plenty of bikes have only a front disc on one side, and this doesn't cause the bike to turn.
Seb - I will check.
Ryanme17 - Good point! I didn't think of that.
All I know if I used to have to hang my rear end off to the left to keep the bike going straight. I took the wheel off, then put it back on, and now I don't have to hang off as much. I still need my butt to be on the left side of the seat though. Looks like I need more inspection. I should have time to do so this weekend.
Thanks
canib ~ In your original post, you mentioned you had the rear tire patched. Make sure that it was put back on the rim in the correct direction of rotation. I've seen something as goofy as this cause these kinds of problems before...
Garry