Steering head nut tightening

[Jethroish]

While I was in the process of changing the tires, I tightened the steering head nuts as Freebird describes in the maint section.

Question being this: After 32,000 +/- miles, is 1/4 to 1/3 turn too much or about right?

Steering feels ok, so I guess that is all that really matters.

[V7Goose]

That is a lot, but it is not uncommon to see them that loose.

 

Unfortunately, after 32,000 miles I suspect your bearings are damaged from running way too loose for way too long. Usually when I find a bike with the bearings that loose, I can still detect some play even after they are adjusted a bit too tight. That happens because the bearings do not actually move when they are left too loose, so every bump or imperfection on the road surface just constantly hammers them in the same spot on the races.

 

If you keep these roller bearings properly adjusted, they will last a long long time. But neglect them and ride with them loose for too long, you will be replacing them regularly.

Goose

[TomMar]

I've tightened the steering head nut, adjusted the air pressure in the forks, shock and tires and I still have a "scary" wobble when I go into a right hand decreasing radius turn. It does not occur in a left turn. The tires are also in great shape.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

[RedRider]

I've tightened the steering head nut, adjusted the air pressure in the forks, shock and tires and I still have a "scary" wobble when I go into a right hand decreasing radius turn. It does not occur in a left turn. The tires are also in great shape.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

How old (miles) is your front tire?

 

RR

[V7Goose]

I've tightened the steering head nut, adjusted the air pressure in the forks, shock and tires and I still have a "scary" wobble when I go into a right hand decreasing radius turn. It does not occur in a left turn. The tires are also in great shape.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Since you only have the wobble when turning to the right, I'd first suspect an improperly mounted tire or very bad bearings, either in the swing arm or steering head. Next, I'd look for loose pinch bolt or improperly torqued axle.

 

My bet would be the right side of your front tire is not beaded up properly. Raise it off the ground and carefully examine the little ridge on the rubber that runs all the way around right next to the rim as you slowly turn the wheel - this should be exactly the same distance from the rim ALL THE WAY AROUND. Check both sides, and both tires. Improperly beaded tires are actually fairly common, and I personally do not think many riders or even shops mounting tires ever bother to check this closely.

Goose

[Jethroish]

Mine was just a little wobble in turns. Mostly freeway on and off ramps. Since tightening the nut and installing new tires, I have not noticed a wobble. Was it the tires? Was it the nut?

Maybe it is the nut riding it.

[TomMar]

Thanks for the info Goose. I'll check the tires, etc.

[wizard]

Try increasing your air pressure in the rear shock. I run 45 lbs riding 2 up, 50 lbs when loaded for the week.

[Jethroish]

I've tightened the steering head nut, adjusted the air pressure in the forks, shock and tires and I still have a "scary" wobble when I go into a right hand decreasing radius turn. It does not occur in a left turn. The tires are also in great shape.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Make sure the pressure is the same in each of the front forks.

[Condor]

Make sure the pressure is the same in each of the front forks.

 

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