pwshadow
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted August 09, 2012 08:57 AM
Is my steering off center or am I?
I feel like my bars are turned slightly to the right when riding. Does anybody ever feel like this? I did adjust my chain recently and found it rather difficult to get both sides the same (using the marks on the swingarm). Could this be causing it? Or are one of my arms just shorter than the other? 
  
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zx12mark
Pro
Posts: 1654
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posted August 09, 2012 02:03 PM
when i let go of the bars on my 2012 zx14 the bike leans to the right.my 2000 12r is perfect balance.i`m going to check the rear alignment with my line -rite tool.i`ll let you know what i find........
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Seno
Pro
BANNED FOR LIFE!
Posts: 1230
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posted August 09, 2012 02:20 PM
The "tick" marks on the swingarm suck..... find a point and measure instead of using the tick marks. Inspect your fairing bolts, make sure everything is tight.... MANY people have discovered loose hardware which "may" give you the illusion that your bars are slightly to the right. Hope this helps...
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2012 Black 14R -> Completely done!
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blue07
Expert Class
Posts: 485
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posted August 09, 2012 02:26 PM
 Edited By: blue07 on 9 Aug 2012 22:31
I'm just curious here...lots of guys say the marks 'suck"......I've always gone by the marks....NEVER had uneven chain/sprocket wear yet....in thousands of miles.THOUSANDS.
I'm wondering...what is so difficult about aligning the axle with the marks?
IDK how many guys have actually taken their hands off the bars when riding.I do it almost every ride...throttlemiester helps with that.My bike will instinctively 'lean' to the right...everytime.But a slight left foot pressure will straighten her right up...and she'll stay that way as long as I need to push just a bit...then rebalance myself.The more I relax...the easier she stays vertical.ALL my Kawasaki's did this.I don't think you have a problem.And I don't mean..."turning to the right'...only the vertical...very mild...probably just the motor torque or something.
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creeker
Novice Class
Posts: 42
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posted August 09, 2012 04:21 PM
maybe your sitting alittle to the right , more wieght on one side . watch other people ride they don't alway get centered
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pwshadow
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted August 09, 2012 04:22 PM
Mine is different than what you describe. When I ride in a strait line I feel like my bars are turned slightly to the right. The bike is moving straight but the bars feel turned very slightly.
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Seno
Pro
BANNED FOR LIFE!
Posts: 1230
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posted August 09, 2012 04:57 PM
Sounds like you should check all of your "front end" hardware and fork settings (make sure that your compression, dampening and preload settings are equal on both forks). Time to look at your "riding position" also, have a friend ride the bike and see if it does the same thing for them. The tick marks work, I have used them for thousands of miles also... I like to make sure both sides are dialed in equally for peace of mind.... Each to their own, after all its your bike.... I am anal with little details.
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2012 Black 14R -> Completely done!
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darrylez1
Novice Class
Posts: 70
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posted August 09, 2012 06:35 PM
If you have ever broken a collar bone it can cause that to happen,both my 07 and 2012 have that problem,only for me,not anyone else on my bikes.Maybe if I go in the opposite direction and repeat the scenario that broke my collar bone I can correct the problem
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07 14 ,brock S-meg BST's,2012 14r BST's ceramic bearings,rear sets ,full Hindle Evo
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zixxer14
Pro
Damn that was Quick
Posts: 1233
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posted August 09, 2012 09:19 PM
How about a tweeked front end? Loosen the upper & lower triple tree bolts & make sure it is all centered & straight. you need a head lift front stand if you don't have a center stand to take weight off the front.
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blue07
Expert Class
Posts: 485
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posted August 09, 2012 09:57 PM
How about...measuring like from one bar end to a point on the frame....see if both sides are equal when it looks 'straight' to you.I know that's not quite the same as when you're moving.Does it look "off" when you're just sitting on it and you've got what looks like the front straight?I think I know what you're talking about...my 07 'looked' like that as well....but it actually was only an illusion...she was straight.
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pwshadow
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted August 10, 2012 03:27 AM
I don't currently have a way to lift the front. It feels off when moving so I'm not really sure how to measure it that way.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted August 10, 2012 04:27 AM
quote:
How about a tweeked front end? Loosen the upper & lower triple tree bolts & make sure it is all centered & straight. you need a head lift front stand if you don't have a center stand to take weight off the front.
remember folks,
actually this is for aligning the bottom and top tripple you onle loosen the top pinch bolts and then loosend the top crown nut,
then tighten the crown nut and top clamp back down, and tighten the top pinch bolts
the proper way to center the front wheel is to loosen the axle bolt, and loosen the pinch bolts forone end of the axle, then use the front brake and compress bounce the front suspension, this will center the axle , then without putting the bike on the side stand, have a friend tighten the axle and pinch bolts,
the forks rotate on the bushing and inner fork tubes,
Ive noticed a slight crown in the road or ruts can drastically pull the bike around especially if the rear tire is wearing square.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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pwshadow
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted August 10, 2012 05:46 AM
I also find that I take left turns(at stoplights,etc) faster and at a greater lean. The bike feels heavier in right turns. So it might be tire related. I feel like I am constantly paranoid about something with my bike. Either I think I am hearing a weird sound or it is running funny. But at the end of the day it is a completely stock 08 with 4700 miles on it. Paranoia might be all it is.
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kawanator
Novice Class
Posts: 54
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posted August 10, 2012 03:13 PM
It is the design of your roads, they have to have a slight camber (or slope) to the right to allow water to flow off the road !
That means the road is highest in the centre, this will cause bikes to veer to the right.
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