Off Road

[Dmnordin]

Yesterday I had to ride 5 miles of uphill, washbaorded, winding dirt road - wasn't fun at all. I took most of it at about 5-10 mph. Has anyone had any problems with their bike (mine is an 83 Venture) handling weird after riding on similar roads? It feels very weird at speed on pavement now - like I'm riding on a road filled with grooves that my bike wants to track. I wonder if something was bent or something. I guess something could have become loose. Or maybe my tire pressure is just low (which doesn't make sense why the dirt road would result in low tire pressure).

 

Any ideas and/or experiences?

 

Thanks,

Doug

[utadventure]

Doug-

 

In addition to the tire pressure (I agree that it's unlikely that your ride changed the pressure), I would double check your axles and especially the bearings. Make sure you don't have any looseness there.

 

Dave

[MiCarl]

All kinds of screws, bolts and other crap fall off vehicles on those kind of roads.

 

You may have shook something loose - or you might have someone else's part in one of your tires.

 

Time to check the tires and all the steering/suspension fasteners.

[Dmnordin]

I did check both axle nuts yesterday on the way home - the cotter pins were both intact & looked good. I rebuilt my forks last month & also installed aftermarket progressive springs; I was careful about torquing my front axle bolt/nut & pinch bolts/nuts. I also paid close attention to tightening the top tube pinch bolts/nuts at the time. I also had checked the head movement when I had it on the centerstand with the front jacked up, and the movement was right for the head bearing nut tension. I need to look at things this evening (hopefully). I don't know what shape my swingarm and bearings are in. the bike has about 35,000 miles. Last evening on the way home, I pulled off the left trunk, and the final drive bolts, etc., looked OK.

 

Doug

[Dmnordin]

Well, my bike seems to be behaving itself pretty much. I'm kind of embarrassed - I think a combination of; (1) me being extremely tired (long day's work + the dirt road riding & stress heightening my awareness of the bike, handling, etc., (2) the concrete freeway (some of it had been ground down a bit by the state crews, leaving patterns that essentially makes grooves), (3) quite windy evening...all adding up to - ?? http://www.venturers.org/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif mostly me http://www.venturers.org/Forum/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif ??

 

Doug

[Yammer Dan]

Well, my bike seems to be behaving itself pretty much. I'm kind of embarrassed - I think a combination of; (1) me being extremely tired (long day's work + the dirt road riding & stress heightening my awareness of the bike, handling, etc., (2) the concrete freeway (some of it had been ground down a bit by the state crews, leaving patterns that essentially makes grooves), (3) quite windy evening...all adding up to - ?? http://www.venturers.org/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif mostly me http://www.venturers.org/Forum/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif ??

 

Doug

 

 

I think you got it. Did the same on the "Blue Beast" few years ago but I did about 10 miles of dirt road with creek crossings, potholes you could bury a Moped in, sand and gravel. Took me several days to feel right on it again. Take it out and ride it. Works better than anything. And I haven't been back there since!!

[utadventure]

Doug-

 

Glad to hear it's riding better! Let us know if we can help any other way.

 

I hope you're considering joining us in Cody in September - you're invited!

 

Dave

[StarQ]

was it very windy when you got back on the pavement? I had a case years ago where the bike was feeling like it was following grooves in the road. I pulled over, checked things and everything was ok. Turns out wind gusts were catching the fairing and pushing to bike about.

 

Well, my bike seems to be behaving itself pretty much. I'm kind of embarrassed - I think a combination of; (1) me being extremely tired (long day's work + the dirt road riding & stress heightening my awareness of the bike, handling, etc., (2) the concrete freeway (some of it had been ground down a bit by the state crews, leaving patterns that essentially makes grooves), (3) quite windy evening...all adding up to - ?? http://www.venturers.org/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif mostly me http://www.venturers.org/Forum/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif ??

 

Doug

[MiCarl]

..all adding up to - ?? http://www.venturers.org/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif mostly me http://www.venturers.org/Forum/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif ??

 

Doug

 

It always pays to check the nut that attaches the handlebars to the seat.

[utadventure]

That's one of those nuts that can be too loose or way overtightened. I varies depending on the day.

 

Dave

 

It always pays to check the nut that attaches the handlebars to the seat.

[Marcarl]

With that much pounding on the steering head, you may have seated it further than was normal, not likely, but it's a shot.

[Dano]

Make sure and release any air out of the front forks. With Progressives, you don't need any. Just riding will eventually put a little air pressure in there just from the heat everything generates while you're riding.

 

Dan