what if you feel bike goes not straight - Discuss what if you feel bike goes not straight on CBRXX, the ultimate on-line community for Honda motorcyclists. Read it in General CBR XX Discussion. (General Discussion of the Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird that does not fit into the other specific forums.)

wowerman · 10-14-2008, 4:16 PM

I did notice it when bought my xx.It is 2000 model registred in 2001.
I have noticed that my bird goes not straight.Bike has been measured by laser tools in honda service if frame is straight.Tests shown there is nothing wrong with frame.I have checked front suspension,changed oil and still the same.I have even tryed to setup rear wheel to be straight and ....point this wheel more right to eliminate action where drive wheel can be reason for that.Can it be worn or bad working rear shock or one of tyres?
They heve been balanced by previous owner.What can I look at or what to check?Tyres?Any services can check front suspension?Maybe one of front shocks work differently?There is no leaks.
When changed oil noticed that one spring is shorter than other about 2mm.I spoke to my motorbike mechanic friends and they said can not be reason.I have even swaped them and the same feeling.What to do?

heisti · 10-14-2008, 6:14 PM

get you some new tires...

CanadianBird · 10-15-2008, 7:40 AM

Take her to John at Jaws. Yes, I'd start with new tires. How off is she? Do you draw a straight line on the ground and wheel the bike and she moves off to the left or right or what? Wheels are balanced? Sorry I can't really help here try other sites, same question.

wowerman · 10-15-2008, 2:08 PM

I have wrote above that wheels are balanced.How can you check bike with line on ground and wheel bike on it?There will be no speed.

heisti · 10-15-2008, 5:15 PM

balanced but not symetrical - i bet!

shspirit · 10-16-2008, 12:01 PM

sounds right, my tires are bald and i get some headshake scrubbin speed for corners and on the turn-in. i'd invest in the new rubber before anything else.

BMahar · 10-16-2008, 11:42 PM

Perhaps your tires are wearing unevenly due to the crown of the road. All roadways are higher in the center to allow for water run-off.

CanadianBird · 10-17-2008, 6:27 AM

Brit roads are tough on tires and what works in NA or Canada or Auz and NZ etc may not work else where. Jaws swears by Avon Storms, I've ridden them and they are an excellent tire. I'm finishing the season on Pirelli's and on our roads I highly recommend them. I've flattened them but lots of side tread and I even saved the chicken strips. Good luck on sorting out your problems.

wowerman · 11-08-2008, 11:15 AM

Hi guys.Service did change my front tyre today.They pumped rear tyre up coz was low pressure.I have to change rear tyre soon because is worn.Anyway still the same strange feeling.
Hopefully when rear tyre get changed ,it will terminate my problem.
BTW.I bought Metzeler 120/60zr17 sportec M1.

Strek · 11-08-2008, 12:06 PM

I was thinking tires. Front would have been more likely.

ArmyStrong · 11-09-2008, 7:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strek

I was thinking tires. Front would have been more likely.

wowerman · 11-09-2008, 9:13 AM

My rear tyre is flat in the middle,you can feel steps.So what does it mean?Can it be a reason or it is just worn?

SilverBrd · 11-11-2008, 1:02 AM

Put you a new boot on the rear and she will straighten up for you.. I think that the flat spot is your problem.

wowerman · 03-12-2009, 4:56 PM

Both tyres changed,still the same problem.I have to bend bike to right to eliminate bike pulling to left.
I'm going to go to service to do laser wheel alignment Tomorrow or Saturday and we will see if this was a main problem.What if not?
Can not wait to meet the true.

heisti · 03-12-2009, 5:07 PM

maybe the swingarm has a tilt???

wowerman · 03-12-2009, 5:11 PM

1st serwis will do laser adjusting and....we well see

birdfarmer · 03-12-2009, 5:17 PM

are you sure this bike hasn't been in an accident before?

heisti · 03-12-2009, 5:26 PM

when i was young i had the same problem with my bicicle and later with a moped (50cm³) - i remember the steering fork and a rear wheel that wasn´t in the middle were the problems. don´t ask what problem on what vehicle

Banshee · 03-12-2009, 6:12 PM

How did you align the rear wheel? By the marks on the swingarm? Mine are off by ~2mm! If you are able, a quick test is to wheel the bike along a straight line on the ground as mentioned by Canadianbird. You start at one end & wheel it along the line, keeping the front centered on it. When you get to the end, if the wheels are properly aligned, the rear will be centered on the line as well. If it isn't on the line the rear is out of alignment.

I use a stringline to align my rear as per the method I described in this thread, in post 54: Crooked Front Fairing

You said you checked the forks, do you mean you checked to make sure they are parallel? That can also cause the problem, if they are slightly twisted.

Logoman · 03-12-2009, 11:53 PM

Sounds like forks to me. One could be tweaked or just held in the triple clamps improperly.

Poundstretcher · 03-13-2009, 3:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shspirit

sounds right, my tires are bald and i get some headshake scrubbin speed for corners and on the turn-in. i'd invest in the new rubber before anything else.

Heisti is also bald but he can travel in a straight line ( except after the schnapps )

Poundstretcher · 03-13-2009, 3:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heisti

when i was young i had the same problem with my bicicle and later with a moped (50cm³) - i remember the steering fork and a rear wheel that wasn´t in the middle were the problems. don´t ask what problem on what vehicle

What problem? What Vehicle?

XXNUTZ · 03-13-2009, 4:16 AM

What about a dragging LF brake caliper?? Just a thought. Cheers.

Poundstretcher · 03-13-2009, 8:29 AM

Sure sounds like tires to me.
Have you tried it without the tires?

CanadianBird · 03-13-2009, 8:37 AM

OMG, have you taken her to a reputable dealer, there is such a thing, imo.

heisti · 03-13-2009, 8:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poundstrecher

What problem? What Vehicle?

edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by heisti http://www.cbrxx.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif
when i was young i had the same problem with my bicycle and later with a moped (50cm³) - i remember the steering fork and a rear wheel that wasn´t in the middle have been the problems. don´t ask what problem on what vehicle

bicycle: puch clubman 27"
moped: puch maxi

wowerman · 03-13-2009, 1:55 PM

Hi again.I have checked forks and look fine.
Logoman,how comes that forks can be held in clamps improperly?
Birdfarmer.As long I have bike,never been even dropped.
If one of previous owners had an accident and fixed bike himself that You will not know it.Will you??
I'm going to Honda service tomorrow to do wheel alignment and periodic tests(MOT).

Logoman · 03-14-2009, 3:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wowerman

Hi again.I have checked forks and look fine.
Logoman,how comes that forks can be held in clamps improperly?
Birdfarmer.As long I have bike,never been even dropped.
If one of previous owners had an accident and fixed bike himself that You will not know it.Will you??
I'm going to Honda service tomorrow to do wheel alignment and periodic tests(MOT).

After I replaced my forks I didn't line things up correctly and the wheel was going a slightly different direction than the bars. I had to loosen the top clamp and the axle nuts, then tighten the axle first and then the top clamp.

If you have a slightly bent fork tube you're not going to know by looking at it. You'll have to put a straight-edge on it.

After I wrecked my bike, I rode it around the neighborhood every so often to keep the vitals OK and even with a bent fork, it never wanted to go anywhere but straight. It did turn one direction better than the other, though.

So, maybe your forks aren't the problem. Couldn't say without riding the bike myself. Send it over with the title.

DeathWish01 · 03-14-2009, 3:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heisti

balanced but not symetrical - i bet!

i bet 5 bucks

tire wear could be more on one side then the other i.e. riding in a circle or taking just left or right handed turns yadda yadda....

wowerman · 03-14-2009, 2:39 PM

Just came back from wheel alignment and tests and it is a little better but you still can feel pulling.So how can I check forks on bike again.Just look from side and see if they are parallel? Have you loosen only top clamp?

10-14-2008, 6:14 PM	#2
heisti mostly harmless Join Date: Feb 22 2008 Location: Enns, Austria Age: 39 Posts: 4,842	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight get you some new tires... __________________ have a nice trip video: youtube \| project: carbon \| chat: here hero-video

10-15-2008, 7:40 AM	#3
CanadianBird Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 4,433	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Take her to John at Jaws. Yes, I'd start with new tires. How off is she? Do you draw a straight line on the ground and wheel the bike and she moves off to the left or right or what? Wheels are balanced? Sorry I can't really help here try other sites, same question.

10-15-2008, 2:08 PM	#4
wowerman Join Date: Dec 12 2007 Location: London Age: 33 Posts: 91	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight I have wrote above that wheels are balanced.How can you check bike with line on ground and wheel bike on it?There will be no speed.

10-15-2008, 5:15 PM	#5
heisti mostly harmless Join Date: Feb 22 2008 Location: Enns, Austria Age: 39 Posts: 4,842	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight balanced but not symetrical - i bet! __________________ have a nice trip video: youtube \| project: carbon \| chat: here hero-video

10-16-2008, 12:01 PM	#6
shspirit Join Date: Oct 13 2008 Location: lecanto, FL Age: 27 Posts: 29	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight sounds right, my tires are bald and i get some headshake scrubbin speed for corners and on the turn-in. i'd invest in the new rubber before anything else.

10-16-2008, 11:42 PM	#7
BMahar Join Date: Sep 10 2008 Location: North Fork, CA Posts: 13	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Perhaps your tires are wearing unevenly due to the crown of the road. All roadways are higher in the center to allow for water run-off.

10-17-2008, 6:27 AM	#8
CanadianBird Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 4,433	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Brit roads are tough on tires and what works in NA or Canada or Auz and NZ etc may not work else where. Jaws swears by Avon Storms, I've ridden them and they are an excellent tire. I'm finishing the season on Pirelli's and on our roads I highly recommend them. I've flattened them but lots of side tread and I even saved the chicken strips. Good luck on sorting out your problems.

11-08-2008, 11:15 AM	#9
wowerman Join Date: Dec 12 2007 Location: London Age: 33 Posts: 91	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Hi guys.Service did change my front tyre today.They pumped rear tyre up coz was low pressure.I have to change rear tyre soon because is worn.Anyway still the same strange feeling. Hopefully when rear tyre get changed ,it will terminate my problem. BTW.I bought Metzeler 120/60zr17 sportec M1. Last edited by wowerman; 11-08-2008 at 11:33 AM.

11-08-2008, 12:06 PM	#10
Strek Moderator Join Date: Jun 25 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 4,591	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight I was thinking tires. Front would have been more likely.

11-09-2008, 9:13 AM	#12
wowerman Join Date: Dec 12 2007 Location: London Age: 33 Posts: 91	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight My rear tyre is flat in the middle,you can feel steps.So what does it mean?Can it be a reason or it is just worn?

11-11-2008, 1:02 AM	#13
SilverBrd TEDZXX Join Date: Jan 22 2008 Location: Lockhart, Texas Age: 45 Posts: 1,742	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Put you a new boot on the rear and she will straighten up for you.. I think that the flat spot is your problem. __________________ 02 Silver Bird, Throttlemeister, HID's, D&D Show and Go full system exhaust, Zero Gravity Double Bubble, Power Commander, Speedohealer, Corbin seat, Lowered foot pegs & more Mods to come!!!

03-12-2009, 4:56 PM	#14
wowerman Join Date: Dec 12 2007 Location: London Age: 33 Posts: 91	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Both tyres changed,still the same problem.I have to bend bike to right to eliminate bike pulling to left. I'm going to go to service to do laser wheel alignment Tomorrow or Saturday and we will see if this was a main problem.What if not? Can not wait to meet the true.

03-12-2009, 5:07 PM	#15
heisti mostly harmless Join Date: Feb 22 2008 Location: Enns, Austria Age: 39 Posts: 4,842	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight maybe the swingarm has a tilt??? __________________ have a nice trip video: youtube \| project: carbon \| chat: here hero-video

03-12-2009, 5:11 PM	#16
wowerman Join Date: Dec 12 2007 Location: London Age: 33 Posts: 91	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight 1st serwis will do laser adjusting and....we well see

03-12-2009, 5:17 PM	#17
birdfarmer Join Date: Nov 10 2007 Location: Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada Age: 42 Posts: 85	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight are you sure this bike hasn't been in an accident before? __________________ Ain't no bird like a blackbird.

03-13-2009, 4:16 AM	#23
XXNUTZ Flyin' Lo and Free Join Date: Mar 28 2007 Location: South Elgin, Illinois Age: 43 Posts: 473	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight What about a dragging LF brake caliper?? Just a thought. Cheers. __________________ 1998 CBR 1100XX Blackbird (Black, of course),PUIG Touring Windscreen, Corbin Gunfighter saddle, Two Brothers C2 Aluminum Oval Slip Ons. ASE Master Tech. I do side jobs. PM with questions. New AMSOIL dealer.

03-12-2009, 5:26 PM	#18
heisti mostly harmless Join Date: Feb 22 2008 Location: Enns, Austria Age: 39 Posts: 4,842	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight when i was young i had the same problem with my bicicle and later with a moped (50cm³) - i remember the steering fork and a rear wheel that wasn´t in the middle were the problems. don´t ask what problem on what vehicle __________________ have a nice trip video: youtube \| project: carbon \| chat: here hero-video

03-12-2009, 6:12 PM	#19
Banshee Join Date: Jun 21 2007 Location: Springwood, West of Hell (Sydney), Australia Age: 43 Posts: 1,082	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight How did you align the rear wheel? By the marks on the swingarm? Mine are off by ~2mm! If you are able, a quick test is to wheel the bike along a straight line on the ground as mentioned by Canadianbird. You start at one end & wheel it along the line, keeping the front centered on it. When you get to the end, if the wheels are properly aligned, the rear will be centered on the line as well. If it isn't on the line the rear is out of alignment. I use a stringline to align my rear as per the method I described in this thread, in post 54: Crooked Front Fairing You said you checked the forks, do you mean you checked to make sure they are parallel? That can also cause the problem, if they are slightly twisted.

03-12-2009, 11:53 PM	#20
Logoman Join Date: Nov 02 2006 Location: SW Florida Age: 53 Posts: 383	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Sounds like forks to me. One could be tweaked or just held in the triple clamps improperly.

03-13-2009, 8:29 AM	#24
Poundstretcher A Rainbird Warrior Join Date: Oct 15 2008 Location: Tasmania Posts: 4,154	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Sure sounds like tires to me. Have you tried it without the tires?

03-13-2009, 8:37 AM	#25
CanadianBird Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 4,433	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight OMG, have you taken her to a reputable dealer, there is such a thing, imo.

03-13-2009, 1:55 PM	#27
wowerman Join Date: Dec 12 2007 Location: London Age: 33 Posts: 91	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Hi again.I have checked forks and look fine. Logoman,how comes that forks can be held in clamps improperly? Birdfarmer.As long I have bike,never been even dropped. If one of previous owners had an accident and fixed bike himself that You will not know it.Will you?? I'm going to Honda service tomorrow to do wheel alignment and periodic tests(MOT). Last edited by wowerman; 03-13-2009 at 2:11 PM.

03-14-2009, 2:39 PM	#30
wowerman Join Date: Dec 12 2007 Location: London Age: 33 Posts: 91	Re: what if you feel bike goes not straight Just came back from wheel alignment and tests and it is a little better but you still can feel pulling.So how can I check forks on bike again.Just look from side and see if they are parallel? Have you loosen only top clamp?