econti
Hi gang
Got some... interesting handling characteristics that I don't think should be there. This will be a long post. I'm not too familiar with bike geometry, I know race cars but not bikes so I do need some help here.
To start with -
It's a '93 build strada. Factory tyre size, factory forks.
When I bought it, the rear hoop adjusters were all the way down (dropping the tail), the front forks were all the way down (raising the nose) and the top of the forks were all the way in, which I think increases preload? Not actually sure what that bit does.
I thought this was a bit odd, because it rode pretty shit compared to the other bikes, my baby 600ss and the mrs 998.
Earlier this year I had to do fork seals and so drained all the oil out, filled the factory spec amount (not level, in my manual it says a certain cc amount).
I put them back in set up with the original factory settings, and reset the rear hoop adjusters to the factory spec.
It was beyond awful. The trail was so minimal that the slightest effort on the forks would throw it into a very sharp lean angle, I dropped it in a carpark once because it was so bad.
Bit by bit I adjusted the rear hoop, then the front fork height, to get more trail, while testing riding after each change. It was then OK while riding but under brakes the forks dove really badly so I ended up winding the preload all the way in.
So now the bike was back to the setup that it was when I first bought it, with the rear end all the way down, the front end all the way up, and the front forks all the way stiff.
Symptoms -
While riding on a perfectly smooth road it is bearable. Hard to turn in but that's presumably because the trail is now maxed out for the current setup, I'm OK with that.
Any kind of uneven road surface, however, will pitch the bike into trying to make a turn very suddenly. I'm talking like, touching the edge of a road reflector or a small crack in the road. This takes a big effort on the bars to keep it going straight. It's very unnerving when riding along to touch a small uneven surface of road and have it try turn so suddenly.
I have also noticed that when clutching out to move off from a stop, if the road isn't flat the bike will kind of 'torque steer' itself towards the side of the road.
I haven't ridden another 851/888 so I don't know if this is normal but I don't think it is. None of the other bikes I've ridden behaved like this.
In my gut I feel like the very odd suspension setup was/is a bandaid fix for something being wrong, but I can't find it. As I said it's on factory size tyres so it's not that. They aren't worn out or flat spotted in the middle.
Apologies for the long and rambling post but hopefully with some expert knowledge I can get this thing riding at least well enough for me to be confident in it.
AJV
Our bikes steer & handle pretty good on standard settings albeit slow if compared to a modern sportsbike.
The following will address your handling problem providing the bike has not been bent previously
Set ride height to standard settings (forks & rose joints)
Check wheel alignment & chain tension
Check steering head, wheels & rear suspension rocker bearings for play - grease, adjust & replace if required
Check swingarm to engine case for signs of any play - grease, adjust as required
Tyres, regardless of tread depth, change them if more than 3 years old
Rear shock is almost 30 years old, get it serviced & ask the mechanic to give the forks a once over (std front & rear springs are way to hard for most riders, changing them to a softer spring aligned to your weight will make a noticeable difference to ride quality & comfort.
If you want quicker steering raise the rear ride height via rose joint adjusters 5mm & drop the forks through the yokes 5mm - enjoy your ride
griff851
Don't want to be a party pooper, but it sounds like it might be bent.
econti
griff851 wroteDon't want to be a party pooper, but it sounds like it might be bent.
Not a party pooper at all, in an odd way I'd like it to be so there's a concrete reason for why it's not happy.
I can't see any visible deformation in the tubes. I'll try and find some measurements to compare it to.
I know that it's been dropped a couple of times but none severe, to my knowledge.
marvin
swing arm could be bent as well. Or not centered in the adjusting slots
p.s. Or cracked at the engine end. Check swingarm
marvin
when I first got my 851 it pulled to the right. I took it to Computrac and they determined that my swingarm was bent. they straightened it which fixed the problem
Like AJV says above, check your wheel alignment. You can do it rudimentarily by taking a long straight edge held asainst the rear tire and see if the front wheel is where it should be. (centered) You may have to use the LONG straightedge (like a straight 2 x 4 ) and go from side to side. You can also pull a string from the rear wheel to the front.
MarkT
I agree with Marvin and AJV that you may have an issue with your frame or swingarm. It does not take much of a head-on collision to change the headstock angle.
Check to see if any of the tubes attached to the headstock are slightly bent. You can feel slight bends with your hand- or use a 6" straight edge.
More often --I have found that the small diagonal tubes will be slightly bowed out if the headstock has straightened up due to a crash.
Also-If the fork tubes have hit the frame you will see slight dents in the major tubes
As far as checking front-to-back wheel alignment- I have used an 8' fluorescent tube which is much straighter than any 2x4 I have used.
econti
Great, thanks for the tips. I'll dig into it on Monday and start checking. I hope it's something that I can find.
RE frame straightening, obviously will have to go to a shop, is it the kind of thing that requires someone directly familiar with these bikes, or is it fine to have an expert, but not necessarily someone who has worked with them before, to do?
Specialists who've worked with 851/888 down here can be hard to find.
griff851
It’s a function of smash repairs etc. Your in Melbourne yes. Ring up Brad and ask if he knows someone. Failing that Black Frank at Euro Brit may know some who half decent.
griff851
This is from the workshop manual
econti
Sydney. There's a few around here but none have direct experience with a 888. Ah well I'll have to have an in-depth look and measure it, and if it seems wrong then pull it apart. That at least gives me a starting point.
griff851
Sorry, try D-Moto. Sean knows 888's
