Author Topic: maybe new so old I can't remember? (Read 10100 times)

wardie · « **on:** February 26, 2017, 08:09:29 PM »

I just purchased a 1995 K 1100 RSA with only 57,000 miles on her. Tires are in great shape and have correct air pressure in them.

I took the bike for a spin around the block and as you begin to push on the bar (counter steering) to start a turn the bike seems to fight it and wants to straighten and turn back out? I know the handlebars are short and you don't have much leverage but this darn thing acts like it has a gyroscope causing it to want to right itself after dipping or beginning a turn? Anyone have any ideas I'm puzzled. Tread wear is minimal and no irregularities. With bike on center stand no play in steering stem bearings... I dunno looking for answers.

The Mighty Gryphon · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2017, 08:24:54 PM »

A few details for the brain trust if you can.

Tire size? Air pressure? Tire brand and model? Any idea how many miles? Has the rear shock been modified? Eye to eye length on rear shock? Forks been lowered?

The handling of these bikes can be a bit hard at low speed(<10mph), especially when the front brake is used. It does get neutral once the speed goes up a bit, but they can be clumsy in parking lots and slow traffic.

wardie · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2017, 09:05:09 PM »

Works Performance standard length shock
57,000 miles
standard size tires no changes from factory sizes don't remember the brand but they look new.

Bike just does not turn in wheel. I was wondering if maybe rear wheel spacer was missing causing the front not to be aligned with the rear?

The Mighty Gryphon · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2017, 09:23:31 PM »

Cool...

wardie · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2017, 03:29:28 PM »

Sterring head bearings when turning the bars feel smooth, no notchiness. I pulled on the wheel no play to speak of. Front tire Bridgestone Battlax S7 and rear is BT 023

Front pressure at 40 lbs.

I adjusted the handlebars up and will take it for a test ride tomorrow.

I can only think of a couple of problem areas.

A) Maybe the spacers in the front wheel were shuffled? ( I didn't have it a part so I don't know if thats possible)
B) Somethings wrong with front fork(s)
C) Frame Bent
D) Rear wheel spacer missing

I've talked to a few people and they say at slow speeds they don't turn well? I've had a bunch of K100 RS and RT's and never had a problem like this?

Sure would appreciate some other ideas??

Chaos · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2017, 06:02:40 PM »

K100's I've ridden are much harder to turn in than my K75, depending what you're used to it may be normal.

mg1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2017, 02:52:39 AM »

My K1100RS handled similarly until such time as I changed out the rear tyre. It had worn flat, but not terribly obviously. I think the pressure you're using at the front is too high, but I don't think it would have that effect. Perhaps your tyres are old and hard, no matter how little use they've had? Not impossible on an older bike with periods out of use. Are your wheel bolts done up properly? Also, remove the rear wheel and check for movement in the final drive joint, there are some pins (the name escapes me) that wear. Look for side to side movement. All that said, sure sounds like steering head bearings though, as mentioned earlier.

Martin the other
in the sunny Riverina

The Mighty Gryphon · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2017, 08:46:13 AM »

When I first got my RS it handled badly at low speeds. It was hard to get it to start into a low speed turn, then it suddenly wanted to oversteer. Was really bad at around 10 mph and went away above 25-30 mph.

I can't recall what the front tire was, but it had worn flat on the center of the tread, barely noticeable, but when I broke down and replaced what looked like a barely worn tire the problem went away.

Steering bearings probably added to the problem. The bike has over 100,000 miles on it with no record of them being replaced, and it will shake a bit at 40mph when I let go of the bars. I still haven't replaced them, but the handling improved so much with the tire replacement that they are not a high priority.

The Mighty Gryphon · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2017, 08:53:15 AM »

Side question: With all the wiring and crap that is connected to the bars and jammed in that space in the fairing around the steering head, how the heck are you supposed to tell how those bearing are?

wardie · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2017, 08:37:15 PM »

Heres what I have found out so far.
Put a one inch board under center stand to get front wheel off the ground. The steering has no sloppiness, notchyness or anything out of the ordinary. In fact it's very smooth. Grabbed front wheel pulled back and fork nothing to indicate a problem. I rotated the bars up but haven't been able to take her for a ride.

I did check the gaps between the inside of the forks and the rim and both sides look even and the wheel is squared in the forks. I definitely have ruled out steering bearings. BTW bike only has 53 or 57K on her.

The front ire is a Bridgestone S7 (??) never heard of that but rear is a BT 023. I bought a front 023 just in case all else fails.

Would anyone else care to venture a guess or opinion??

Chaos · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2017, 09:15:53 PM »

with the front wheel up, does it fall from it's own weight from one side to the other? If not head bearings may be too tight.

wardie · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2017, 09:26:21 PM »

yes falls from its own weight definitely NOT steering head bearings
milesage like 57000

wardie · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2017, 10:22:05 PM »

Whoa there Johnny...

You made me laugh thanks... chity Ohio evening about 18 degrees. I'm not taking this bike to Daytona so I have time to sort it out and I will ..and report back to the collective on my findings. Taking my 79 Honda CB 650 Café Racer down to Bike Week.

As they say in the Mazda commercial VROOM VROOM

and yes as a former asphalt angel and corner carver foot peg rubbers don't last long..

The Mighty Gryphon · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2017, 11:14:07 PM »

How smooth is the curve of the tire profile. My K100RS came with a tire that had a barely perceptible flat on the center of the thread and that made it a beast to get into a low speed turn. Didn't want to start in, and then suddenly went into a bunch of oversteer. Very annoying in parking lots, but hardly noticeable once I got into 3rd gear.

Bridgestone doesn't show an S7 model in their current model lineup, which probably means it is obsolete and probably older than what you want on your bike. Does it have a four digit date code on it?

wardie · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2017, 07:00:24 AM »

My bad Mighty Gryphon..upon further review it says S 20 F?

Most tire distributors showing discontinued. I'll take the bike out for a spin this week when the snow melts and give it a go. If I have same or similar turn in problem I'll swap to a Bridgestone BT 023 on the front, the rear is 023. Thanks for response.

wardie · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2017, 09:07:06 PM »

Thought I'd report back the the turn in problem has been fixed. when I pulled the front wheel and really started noticing the tire from the rear you could see the angle on the clutch side was steeper than the angle on the throttle side. It left a very small ridge slight;ly off center to the left. I switched tires took her for a ride today and it's like its on a rail!

Now my fan is on all the time but I'll start a new post on that. Wardie

Chaos · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2017, 11:29:46 PM »

glad it was a relatively simple fix :clap:

The Mighty Gryphon · « **Reply #17 on:** May 01, 2017, 12:47:29 AM »

Did you replace the valve stem? The problem I had with flat spots on the profile was due to running at low tire pressure(20psi) because of a slow leak where the valve stem came through the rim. Heavy steering at very low speeds is a good indicator of low pressure.

Martin · « **Reply #18 on:** May 01, 2017, 01:07:25 AM »

Use the metal valve stems with the nut. The rubber ones can split where they go into he rim causing rapid deflation.
Regards Martin.

Laitch · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2017, 02:07:40 AM »

Quote from: Martin on May 01, 2017, 01:07:25 AM

Use the metal valve stems with the nut. The rubber ones can split where they go into he rim causing rapid deflation.

The nuts can unwind themselves, fracturing valve caps and scattering shrapnel, maiming innocent roadside critters or stinging deer—kangaroos, wallabees, and Tasmanian Devils, too—on their haunches thus causing them to leap into your pathway.
:nono

Martin · « **Reply #20 on:** May 01, 2017, 02:14:19 AM »

:yow How irresponsible of me I feel utterly ashamed , what was I thinking. I will immediately remove my valve stems. Where can I buy solid rubber tyres for my Brick? :dunno

Laitch · « **Reply #21 on:** May 01, 2017, 02:36:34 AM »

Quote from: Martin on May 01, 2017, 02:14:19 AM

I will immediately remove my valve stems. :dunno

In that case, send me your metal valves, please. Drop them into a Vegemite jar and just pitch it into the ocean. I know a couple beach bums in Ecuador that will lookout for it.

Martin · « **Reply #22 on:** May 01, 2017, 02:55:41 AM »

Running down to the beach now, I've taped a little yellow flag to the jar so it will be easy to spot.
Regards a guilty but contrite Martin. :musicboohoo:

wardie · « **Reply #23 on:** May 03, 2017, 07:26:49 AM »

Hi everybody Wardie here from Youngstown, Ohio. I've had a bunch of k bikes throughout the years, wandered to other brands and now back with a 95' K 1100 RSA (ABS). I traveled to Philadelphia to purchase it bought for next to nothing because the PO wasn't good about maintenance. Slowly going through bike and have had a lot of help from the forum.

Just wanted to drop in and officially say Hi although I may have done it a couple years ago but at my advanced age I can't remember...:)

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Author Topic: maybe new so old I can't remember? (Read 10100 times)