Brick leans to the right...

[allenblakee]

...and no, not in the political sense!

My new to me K75s is as smooth and sweet as you could ask...however on my first commute today I noticed my left arm was a little sore...I thought it might just be the riding position.

With some additional miles and observation the bike definitely leans slightly (or tracks) to the right forcing me to keep a little pressure on the left side...which is making my arm sore after an hour or so.

What should I be checking for first?  The bike is overall in very good shape with no obvious damage...can you get an alignment for a motorcycle.

Thanks in advance all!

[TimTyler]

Could be one or more of many things. I've been told K frames are very strong and don't bend.

Start with new tires, properly inflated.

Might be something just needs to be tightened anywhere on the bike.

Front wheel bearings, fork alignment, rear shock condition, swing arm bearings...

Since it's a new bike for you I suggest you take your time and start digging in, perform routine maintenance, and make sure you have a safe vehicle.

[allenblakee]

Thanks Tim...where shall I start?  She has 18k on her, should I start w/ the closest maintenance point?  She starts, goes, shifts, and stops flawlessly...and has brand new tires...maybe a trip to the dealership is in order...

[johnny]

how doest it handle with no hands at various speeds...

j o

[allenblakee]

With no hands it leans to the right...not dramatically but I have to shift my seating position to keep balanced.

[TimTyler]

If you can keep it balanced by simply shifting your seating position then it's not that out of true.

You might just need to build up you left arm muscles :)

[allenblakee]

Yeah, I think I just need to get used to the lean then and build up that weak left arm. :dunno  When I take it in for service I'll have them take a look at it and see if there is anything out of whack.

[mjydrafter]

Also, as I'm sure you know most roads are "crowned", so the water will run off.  So You could be feeling some of that to some degree.

[allenblakee]

Yeah, that was my first thought, that I was feeling some cant in the road...sometimes it's noticeable, sometimes not...we'll give it a 1000mi or so, and evaluate after that.

Thanks for the insights!

[TimTyler]

You could try checking your front end and aligning the forks.

While on the center stand, put a jack and/or some wood blocks under the oil pan to support the front wheel 1/4" off the ground. Turn the handlebars left and right and feel for notching in the steering bearings, usually near the center / straight position. Does the front wheel rotate smoothly?

While the front of the bike is still being supported from under the oil pan, stick something under the front wheel to remove the 1/4" gap you just created. You could then loosen the front wheel axle, axle clamps, and the four fork tree clamp bolts. Jiggle the front end using the handlebars. Stick a screwdriver into the hole at the end of the axle. You should be able to slide and spin the front axle fairly easily. Using proper torque values, re-tighten the front wheel axle, then axle clamps. Jiggle the handlebars, point the front wheel straight forward and tighten the lower tree clamp bolts, then upper tree clamp bolts. If your forks are not bent they should be fairly well-aligned now.

[Grim]

Ever taken the back wheel off?  There is a shim under the wheel hub. Was/is it there?

Somebody also had a post about th frame being in tension. Loosen each frame mount and see if there is a significant gap.

Swing arm bearing good and properly torqued? 

Edit:
One related post still looking for the one I was thinking about.

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=2720.msg15426#msg15426

[allenblakee]

I'll take a look at those things, thanks for the suggestions.  I know the guy who I bought it from "lubed the splines" before selling it because so many people asked him if they'd been lubed...he may have put things back just slightly off.

Would there be any other symptoms on the things you've mentioned?  There are no rattles, shakes, or other goofiness, just a subtle preference for going right.

[Grim]

Ohhh yes if he did a clutch spline lube there could be all sorts of things done wrong. Big things would be swing arm not torqued correctly.

Go to YouTube and search "Chris Harris spline lube" and you will find a couple videos.
Chris's is a word smith with four letter words. So young ears may want to be out of the room but otherwise very good service videos.

[552255]

To check wheel alignment, level the bike on centerstand, using a level across the frame under seat, or on the brake rotors (vertical plane) shim under the stand to achieve.  Get some type of string (orange constr. cord is good) and project your rear wheel/tire 'plane', forward with the string, on each side of the front tire.  I use some 25pd barbells on end, to tie the taught string on to--stretched forward. 

Ideally your front wheel is 'centered' between the strings, and your frame and wheels are in alignment (there is some allowable off center spec. ...5-10mm?)    If its off, your frame is bent, tweaked, loose, or somesuch, or your forks/tree are off, or the rear swingarm could be off? (not sure how).

I replaced a bent frame, it was bent right at the 'gooseneck' causing all kinds of bad tire wear, and 'crabbing' along.  The triple tree was bent as well...huge difference with new.

I also measure the width of the 'projected' string in front of the front wheel....160mm is the width of my rear tire, and adjust, to get an accurate picture.    Search online for motorcycle wheel/frame alignment, for a picture 'how to'...  this will tell you if the bike is really out of alignment.

You have lie on your belly, to 'eye' the string as it just touches the rear tire edge, projecting forward...if that clears my dissertation slightly! :clap: 

[Chaos]

You have lie on your belly, to 'eye' the string as it just touches the rear tire edge, projecting forward...if that clears my dissertation slightly! :clap:

old fluorescent light tubes also work well in place of the string

[CRASH]

Throw your tool pouch into the left saddle bag ... usually solves the problem.  Really.  :2thumbup:

Pulling to the right is a common complaint on almost every BMW model.  Some reasons that have been "claimed":

  It is the weight bias is to the right (trans, drive line and engines are not symmetrically weighted ... this is particularly true on a flat 3/4 engine).
  The front and rear wheel are not in line (Tim's shim questions is number one ... but even with the shim, at least the new K bikes, the wheels are still off set a little ... on purpose, don't ask me the reason).  However, usually pulling the shim OUT makes it track better.  :dunno2:
  Tire brand and pressure.

I took a bit to find this, but there is an article at the bottom of this page in yellow by Paul Glaves .. the man knows his stuff and his insight may help you.
http://www.bmwrt.com/faq/pttr.htm

[wmax351]

It takes a pretty serious impact to bend the K frame. They are really beefy. The triple clamps and forks bend much easier.

[programmasters]

Ohhh yes if he did a clutch spline lube there could be all sorts of things done wrong. Big things would be swing arm not torqued correctly.

Go to YouTube and search "Chris Harris spline lube" and you will find a couple videos.
Chris's is a word smith with four letter words. So young ears may want to be out of the room but otherwise very good service videos.

He might be a tad rude, but if you see the bike he is working on you will understand completely. He is a pro and willing to help, if he was in my neighbourhood I would let him do all the work on my bike, however, i think he's somewhere in Massachusetts and the atlantic ocean divides my country and his state, so a bit tricky to drive there for an oil replacement