Author Topic: Brand new 2012 concours pulls to the right (Read 27174 times)

rwilliamm · « **Reply #60 on:** June 14, 2012, 11:43:07 AM »

Quote from: stevewfl on June 13, 2012, 11:03:47 AM

I saw Kissimmee in your post. If you're close to Tampa and want to use my torque wrench or see how my bike handles in comparison you're welcome to

I have been speaking with someone else. They have connie and the tools and said they would meet up with me. Looking like they are going to be in brandon over by tampa next weekend at Barney's motorcycle and marine on adamo dr. Thats not too bad a ride from orlando so I am planning on meeting up with them and he said in about 15 min we can try to reset the front axle and see if it helps.
Really appreciate the offer though.
Thanks.

stevewfl · « **Reply #61 on:** June 14, 2012, 11:50:11 AM »

Great! Definitely try Fretka's awesome advice too

rwilliamm · « **Reply #62 on:** June 14, 2012, 10:45:06 PM »

Quote from: Fretka on June 13, 2012, 11:06:41 AM

Try putting the bike on it's centerstand, then sit or press down on the rear lifting the front tire. Carefully of course. Do this many times and see if there is a trend.

What do you see?

Tried this and everything seems to have enough slack. Bars didnt go one way or the other. Turned them all the way left and they stayed there. Turned them all the way right and they turned back to the left slightly.

martin_14 · « **Reply #63 on:** June 14, 2012, 11:18:20 PM »

rwilliamm, (I have read your posts but not each and every answer, so I apologize in advance if these ideas have already been discussed)

From your description, I think it is a dynamic problem on frame, steering or wheels (mounting, tires, etc.). I have an easy experiment for you: put some luggage on your left bag, something significant, like 15 pounds or whatever it fits (I think they are rated for 20 lb). See if that helps, or maybe it makes it worse, so you can try on the right bag.

Also, check your body position. Are your "cheeks" right in the middle? Before I had the C14 I drove an R1200RT and that one did pull, but it was down to the one side swingarm, so I got used to drive it seating with a slight lateral offset on the seat. When I got the Kawa (mine doesn't pull) I had to re-set. You don't drive with some luggage on the bags, do you?

Finally, try other C14s (easier said than done) to see if you notice the same: it could be just your feeling, but from your description I doubt it. And get somebody you trust to drive your bike.

Fretka · « **Reply #64 on:** June 15, 2012, 07:18:50 AM »

How many miles are on your bike? Have you re-set the steering headset (bearings)?
Most all Connies need this done by around 1500-2K miles.
I set mine at zero lash + 10 ft.lbs.

stevewfl · « **Reply #65 on:** June 15, 2012, 07:31:06 AM »

Quote from: Fretka on June 15, 2012, 07:18:50 AM

How many miles are on your bike? Have you re-set the steering headset (bearings)?
Most all Connies need this done by around 1500-2K miles.
I set mine at zero lash + 10 ft.lbs.

Fretka you're scaring me, I'm at 53K and mine has never been done

Caffeinated · « **Reply #66 on:** June 15, 2012, 07:35:31 AM »

Quote from: Fretka on June 15, 2012, 07:18:50 AM

How many miles are on your bike? Have you re-set the steering headset (bearings)?
Most all Connies need this done by around 1500-2K miles.
I set mine at zero lash + 10 ft.lbs.

Can you clarify what this means? I loosened mine, and then torqued it to the specified #. I don't remember what that is, but it's 40 ft.lbs to seat the bearings, and then something like 18 ft.lbs. when tightened.

what is zero lash + 10ft.lbs. mean?

Conrad · « **Reply #67 on:** June 15, 2012, 07:38:28 AM »

Quote from: Fretka on June 15, 2012, 07:18:50 AM

How many miles are on your bike? Have you re-set the steering headset (bearings)?
Most all Connies need this done by around 1500-2K miles.
I set mine at zero lash + 10 ft.lbs.

Mine has never been done either and it's solid as a rock.

Fretka · « **Reply #68 on:** June 15, 2012, 01:03:29 PM »

Quote from: Caffeinated on June 15, 2012, 07:35:31 AM

Can you clarify what this means? I loosened mine, and then torqued it to the specified #. I don't remember what that is, but it's 40 ft.lbs to seat the bearings, and then something like 18 ft.lbs. when tightened.

what is zero lash + 10ft.lbs. mean?

Same as what you did. Just hand tightened till no play and then added 10 # torque

Fretka · « **Reply #69 on:** June 15, 2012, 01:07:25 PM »

Quote from: stevewfl on June 15, 2012, 07:31:06 AM

Fretka you're scaring me, I'm at 53K and mine has never been done

There is enough truly scary stuff in life to be too concerned! Most ball bearing headsets need re-torquing after they have seated or worn-in but if you can't feel any problem, then no problem!

stevewfl · « **Reply #70 on:** June 15, 2012, 01:24:21 PM »

Quote from: Fretka on June 15, 2012, 01:07:25 PM

There is enough truly scary stuff in life to be too concerned! Most ball bearing headsets need re-torquing after they have seated or worn-in but if you can't feel any problem, then no problem!

thanks for clarification

Z71 · « **Reply #71 on:** June 15, 2012, 02:21:29 PM »

I rode my bike ('09 C14 with 3,500 miles) about 100 miles today. I let go of the handlebars at high speed and no pulling or drifting in either direction.

VirginiaJim · « **Reply #72 on:** June 15, 2012, 03:15:19 PM »

Mine needed doing from the get go. Had a clunk when braking and going over bumps. Adjusted it and now no more clunk.

RideBellChain · « **Reply #73 on:** June 20, 2012, 10:32:47 AM »

I set the cruise on at about 45mph, and rode with no hands for several miles, on two different roads...it was fine, only pulled when I pressed down on either footpeg, or leaned my head to either side.

Fretka · « **Reply #74 on:** June 22, 2012, 11:59:59 AM »

Is this topic dead?

There are other things that can be done but if everything is hunky-dory then R.I.P.

r2t2 · « **Reply #75 on:** June 22, 2012, 03:40:40 PM »

Quote from: Fretka on June 22, 2012, 11:59:59 AM

Is this topic dead?

There are other things that can be done but if everything is hunky-dory then R.I.P.

Monty Python-Bring out your dead!

Conrad · « **Reply #76 on:** June 23, 2012, 05:50:35 AM »

I'm not dead yet.

Yes you are.

No I'm not.

You'll be stone cold dead in a moment.

I'm getting better.

DeansZG · « **Reply #77 on:** June 23, 2012, 06:41:38 AM »

Yes, I'm also curious as to what rwilliamm found out.

Didn't see it mentioned previously, but have you checked f/r wheel alignment? Get an 8' STRAIGHT 2x4( you can do the string test also ), rest one end along the edge of the rear tire & extend it past the front tire( make sure the front tire is aimed straight also ). Do this on both sides & check the distance from the front tire to the board( or whatever straight edge you used ), & see if there's a difference.

My guess is more than likely, you'll notice a difference.

Fretka · « **Reply #78 on:** June 23, 2012, 10:32:11 AM »

Walk the bike through a puddle of water onto clean concrete and look at the tracks.

F.

MikeB · « **Reply #79 on:** June 25, 2012, 09:34:21 AM »

Hey RWilliam,

Any update to your issue?

I took mine in for the 600 miles service, told them it was pulling and gave them a list of things to check (compiled list from those in this forum and the COG forums). I was not able to talk to the tech that worked on my bike as he'd already left when I came to pick it up but it was indicated on the service order that "Forks were 1mm different in height; steering stem was tight and in spec." I'm assuming that the "difference" was height as they compared them in the triple tree...?

I'm not really noticing much difference. Still seems to pull about the same. :-/

Mike

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Author Topic: Brand new 2012 concours pulls to the right (Read 27174 times)