Back on track

BPHORSEGUY said:
Contours, remove your chain guard and try sighting along the chain from the back, if you are really off a large amount you will see it!

Good advice. I haven't had much time to do anything about it yet, but can certainly do that soon.

Does anyone else think the chain adjusters are terrible or is it just me? The sprocket side adjuster was definitely compromised by the incident. I can't slide it toward the rear more than a few millimeters. But since that would end up over-tightening the chain it's not a problem. My real issue is how the left side just seems to float and doesn't aid in the adjustment of the chain. :?
 
Britfan60 said:
Its a very solid bike handling and ride wise. Those Ohlins are fantastic and adjustable. Its not the most nimble bike in the world. A little top heavy compared to most race bikes but still fairly easy to manage. Slight effort required going into your lean, comes out of it beautifully......in my opinion.

Yup, I am missing that! :( From my limited experience it IS absolutely the most nimble bike I've ridden.
 
GKRyder said:
Can I ask:

- does the bike 'fight' turning one way more than other ie to the right at medium speeds?
- is your rear suspension setup correct for you?

I ask because had a little shimmy turning right and so asked to get it straight lined (string method). Also the shocks had to be setup for my weight.

I have been having a similar problem after fitting a new rear tyre. I set up the alignment by every which way possible, but it still feels a little unsettling on a right hand bend. I've checked it again today with a long straight edge, it still looks good. I wonder if anyone has discovered a better alignment method.
Mark.
 
I once lost the adjuster of one side, because the screw was vibrating loose...
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
italia said:
contours said:
Hitting large dips and/or bumps in the road sends the frame into a noticeable wiggle that can be very unsettling if I'm not anticipating it. :shock:
Front end wobble, or rear end wiggle? Though I have no experience (yet, as my 961 is to arrive this week) with the stock 961 suspension, an unsettling response to hitting a large dip sounds like a possible pre-tank slapping issue with front forks. Are the front forks adjustable for compression / rebound? Again, I could be way off on this suggestion, but with no steering damper, has anyone experienced tank-slapper like issues? Are there aftermarket brackets available for steering dampers?

Italia, if you have not been following along Contours has had problems with a wheel bearing failure on the BST carbon fiber wheels and now has alignment issues . The 961 is rock steady and is one of the last bikes you would ever put a steering damper on!
AH! No, I totally missed the wheel bearing / BST wheels info.
 
Fortunately I have a nifty little chain alignment tool made by Motion Pro. I had never used it until tonight. After a quick run through I can see that using the chain adjuster screws to add or subtract equal amounts of distance between the axle and the countershaft, you can NOT assume things are lined up correctly. Once I aligned the rear sprocket with the engine sprocket using the tool I discovered the left (brake) side adjuster needed many additional turns forward than the adjuster on the right (sprocket) side! :shock:

What does it mean? I don't know for sure. And I'm not saying every body's chain adjusters are off like mine. I am simply hoping this cures the wiggle. If it doesn't I will tackle the front end next. It's possible that after the tow truck ride back in June the forks could have been twisted when the bike was tied down. We shall see.
 
I had a new set of tires installed on the 961. On my receipt someone wrote "front brake pulsates". Funny, I've never felt that. Sure enough......I think someone let my front wheel fall over at the shop. Can't prove that. Screwed. It was not my usual dealership, by the way.
 
Cold water on a hot rotor does that. Happens to a lot of
People if they come off the highway and straight to the car wash.
 
richard-7 said:
Cold water on a hot rotor does that. Happens to a lot of
People if they come off the highway and straight to the car wash.
Never washed a hot bike. Matter of fact, I've only hosed my bike down twice. I wipe it down after each ride with a spray waterless wax. I know. Anal. Don't like cleaning a dirty build up. Besides. Like I said. Didn't pulsate on the way there.
 
Britfan60 said:
I wipe it down after each ride with a spray waterless wax. I know. Anal. Don't like cleaning a dirty build up..

+1
I have the same disease.
 
Britfan60 said:
richard-7 said:
Cold water on a hot rotor does that. Happens to a lot of
People if they come off the highway and straight to the car wash.
Never washed a hot bike. Matter of fact, I've only hosed my bike down twice. I wipe it down after each ride with a spray waterless wax. I know. Anal. Don't like cleaning a dirty build up. Besides. Like I said. Didn't pulsate on the way there.

I hear yeah but perhaps the dealer washed something down. Just throwing ideas out for you.
 
richard-7 said:
Britfan60 said:
richard-7 said:
Cold water on a hot rotor does that. Happens to a lot of
People if they come off the highway and straight to the car wash.
Never washed a hot bike. Matter of fact, I've only hosed my bike down twice. I wipe it down after each ride with a spray waterless wax. I know. Anal. Don't like cleaning a dirty build up. Besides. Like I said. Didn't pulsate on the way there.

I hear yeah but perhaps the dealer washed something down. Just throwing ideas out for you.

Oh yea. Maybe. Getting them to admit to that would be neat, eh?
 
Finally!! Me too. Took 5 months for them to not finish my bike and the damage was minimal. I just took it back and said screw it. Last week I did finally get my primary cover, bought some used SBN opens. So all that was done was new handle bars, left foot peg and shifter button. Ill put on the primary and left pipe myself. End of a nightmare. Brand new battery was half dead. Still don't have use of the info screen. Its stuck on ODO. Cant scroll to other info. Here is the good news. The bike ran great. Fired up fast. Ran without a hiccup. Did 70 miles. I have to monitor the mileage because my fuel light let me down once also. Didn't come on when I ran out. So.....Its like riding old school British.
 
With the little difference that old school bikes have a reserve tap ;-)
Enjoy riding!
 
Raphi said:
With the little difference that old school bikes have a reserve tap ;-)
Enjoy riding!

Just have to monitor my mileage. I get about 145 mi. to the tank with some spirited riding. I got an estimated almost 180 at "commuter" speeds. I tank up after 120. Factory says the problem is the switch. Might be, but when my voltage is low like it is now....5 months at the dealership off a tender....is when that happens. I'll try the switch. Hate buying stuff that doesn't cure my ails.

ADDENDUM: Bike just spent first night on the tender. Info screen working at the moment. I don't get it. Factory says switch, I say voltage. This gets frustrating to say the least. Something screwy in the electrical system. Fuel gauge flashes at low voltage with a full tank......doesn't work when tank is empty. Go figure. Well...at least she's running great. Bottom line, no? (silver lining)
 
Hello Britfan , The fuel level switch is inside the tank right ? Can it be replace separately from the fuel pump assy ?
 
TonyA said:
Hello Britfan , The fuel level switch is inside the tank right ? Can it be replace separately from the fuel pump assy ?
I don't have a clue. Wish I'd have brought that up when they put my new tank on. Speaking of which, I just had a little dimple in the old tank but Allstate was nice enough to say I get a new one. Can plastic tanks be worked on? I'd like to get the old one custom painted. Maybe some gold metalflake ghost flames under black translucent with the logo and original striping. 8)
 
Time for an update on my 961 Sport's wiggle problem. This morning I spent about 15 minutes adjusting my chain using the MotionPro tool to make sure the rear sprocket was aligned. It took 3 tries because each time I tightened the axle nut the slack went below the minimum 35mm. In fact I gave up on the chain adjusters and just moved the wheel with my hands to get it into position. After torquing it down to 96 Nm I am assuming the wheel won't move in either direction. Then I rode to work - 25 miles along a major route to test out the handling. It did not feel as bad as my last ride, but I could swear the steering is loose. It seems to be tracking straight. I only felt the wiggle whenever I got sucked into a crack or when a blast of wind hit me.

Maybe this is normal and I am just hypersensitive? I've been riding my Speed Triple a lot over the past 2 months and it has a totally different feel. So maybe I'm expecting the more steady ride I experience with the heavier Triumph. Who knows? The weather is good now so I'll keep riding all this week to see if I get used to it. :roll:
 
Hi Contours,

On Dunlop qualifiers?

Yes my bike follows cracks and seams perfectly. :D
Had the steering (bearings) checked and all good there.

So wondering if more those tyres.

Dunno.
 
GKRyder said:
So wondering if more those tyres.

I don't know either. I'm going to check the alignment with the string method next. Lots of YouTube videos to choose from! :idea:
 
Back
Top