What does it feel like when your steering bearings start to wear
#11
05-28-2011, 05:06 PM
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Posts: n/a
I go with Mark ....If all feels good in the front end , it's more than likely a slight alignment issue ...
Before you go shelling out more cash Henry , just grab a piece of string and have a quick look at how she is tracking mate ....
I am not hanging chit here , but guys , I run my old girl and hardly ever touch or fiddle with chit !!! If she gets a slight wobble up on any particular day, I blame the simple stuff first , road surface , tire pressure , alignment and usually most of the time I don't bother to do anything !! ... ok except check the tire pressure ...lolol
Personally I think it is very easy to get a little TOO worried about some of the minor handling characteristics of these old girls ....they ain't perfect and the smallest thing can cause a weird moment occasionally ...
I do believe it can be expensive and very time consuming to chase down every little idiosyncrasy on these older bikes ....
I push my CBR up over 160kph pretty dam regularly .. (ok ok ,every friggin time I go out ! - but remember we have nothing but very open roads here with mostly very fast sweepers , and yer a ton of Kangaroos ..lolol)
and if I ripped her apart every time I felt something a little weird going on , she would be apart all the friggin time ..lolol
If you have new tires , checked the front end for movement and all is good , it prolly is Henry ...
anyways ... just my 2c worth ..
Before you go shelling out more cash Henry , just grab a piece of string and have a quick look at how she is tracking mate ....
I am not hanging chit here , but guys , I run my old girl and hardly ever touch or fiddle with chit !!! If she gets a slight wobble up on any particular day, I blame the simple stuff first , road surface , tire pressure , alignment and usually most of the time I don't bother to do anything !! ... ok except check the tire pressure ...lolol
Personally I think it is very easy to get a little TOO worried about some of the minor handling characteristics of these old girls ....they ain't perfect and the smallest thing can cause a weird moment occasionally ...
I do believe it can be expensive and very time consuming to chase down every little idiosyncrasy on these older bikes ....
I push my CBR up over 160kph pretty dam regularly .. (ok ok ,every friggin time I go out ! - but remember we have nothing but very open roads here with mostly very fast sweepers , and yer a ton of Kangaroos ..lolol)
and if I ripped her apart every time I felt something a little weird going on , she would be apart all the friggin time ..lolol
If you have new tires , checked the front end for movement and all is good , it prolly is Henry ...
anyways ... just my 2c worth ..
Last edited by CBRclassic; 05-28-2011 at 05:19 PM.
#13
05-29-2011, 03:58 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just RIDE THE THING 
I am not by any means suggesting that maintenance should be ignored
, buttt....
My old girl is at the moment 3000klms over due for tires , about the same if not more for chain and sprockets !! and the cam chain is I dunno how far over due for a swap out .... but yu know what guys , I just wake up , oil the half screwed chain , check the near destroyed tire's pressures and bloody ignore the rattles at idol and go out !!! ... and ok , I make sure I avoid idling anywhere ..LOL .... seriously though , I cane the chit outta my CBR allot of the time and she runs as smooth as !!! a little chain slap at low speed
, a little rattling at low low speed , and yer , quite a few annoying wobbles or small leaps across the road on rare occasions at high speed with the ****ed tires , but guy's , she still runs like a bloody dream and I just keep going out, putting the key in her and friggin going for it ....!!
As a few of you may know ? , I actually had mine near not used for around 6 mths a while ago, while I rebuilt my farm house and yu know what ?, no oil change , no new tire's , no new chain and sprockets , no checking much more that the bloody tire pressure and topping up the fluids and away we went !!!!
... and that's a couple of thousand klms ago ....and she still runs fine and feels great considering everything ..... way good enough to just go out every time I can and give her a bloody handful for hrs !!!
anyways , my point is that I see allot of guys here constantly ripping bits off there CBR's searching for answers to what sometimes seem questions that really need no answers ....
and I remind you again that my rave is not a lecture, or a condemnation of any one that wants to service and maintain there CBR better than I choose to ..... it is just a statement to show that these old girls can be ridden quite safely and quite hard ,with minimal serving and with what is sometimes , parts that perhaps should be swapped out ....
I do love to stick up for these older CBR'S ,for how robust , forgiving and well mannered they can be while still being almost abused ....
I do keep mine clean though!!!!! .... and we all know that shinny CBR's go way better and longer than dirty ones ...LOLOL
again ...just my 2c worth
Last edited by CBRclassic; 05-29-2011 at 04:08 AM.
#14
05-29-2011, 05:27 AM
Senior Member
Good thoughts Steve! It's easy to let a minor quirk get inside your head and annoy the crap out of you every time you ride.
In this case, I'd also think that it's a front / rear alignment problem or maybe the forks are twisted slightly in the yolks?? Worst case would be a bent frame or forks but I wouldn't go down that road unless it was trying to kill me every time I rode.
In this case, I'd also think that it's a front / rear alignment problem or maybe the forks are twisted slightly in the yolks?? Worst case would be a bent frame or forks but I wouldn't go down that road unless it was trying to kill me every time I rode.
#15
06-07-2011, 05:10 PM
Blimey!
I get back from holiday, rub my over tanned eyelids and what do I see?
Captain Classic, King of the one liners has learnt to write in joined ups and has nearly filled a page of A4 in legible writing without any spelling mistakes. Not only that but it all, every single damned word of it, makes absolute sense.
Whilst sitting on our little mountain top paradise in the sun I did wonder from time to time if perhaps my sanity is not all it should be. I mostly forgot about the rest of the world, life, even breathing some days.
Then I log back in here low and behold my question has been answered. I'm a mental wreck, deluded, bewildered, psychotic!
Steve, your efforts have not been wasted.
The last two days riding, even before I read your words have confirmed that I should stop worrying. It's all good again. Much better even!
I think rather than adjusting the tyre pressures I should have checked the pressure in my head first. Obviously too high.
A week in the sun. The best bike maintenance money can buy.
PS. I did take the bike to the local shop before I went away. The mechanic grabbed his lid and took her for a spin round the block.
He came back and said "I can't fell anything wrong. Got anything heavy in your top box"?
I realised that on the way to work that morning I'd had some real heavy crap in there. Much more load than usual. I thanked him for his time (free of charge) and rode home felling like a bit of a ****.
Yeah.... I'll check the alignment, springs, oil..... but really, I should know better than taking the anvil to work on the back of the bike. Dumb ***!
Thanks Steve. You're so wise. Hope you get more time to ride. That ranch of yours must be nearly done now surely.
Pete, did you say something?
I get back from holiday, rub my over tanned eyelids and what do I see?
Captain Classic, King of the one liners has learnt to write in joined ups and has nearly filled a page of A4 in legible writing without any spelling mistakes. Not only that but it all, every single damned word of it, makes absolute sense.
Whilst sitting on our little mountain top paradise in the sun I did wonder from time to time if perhaps my sanity is not all it should be. I mostly forgot about the rest of the world, life, even breathing some days.
Then I log back in here low and behold my question has been answered. I'm a mental wreck, deluded, bewildered, psychotic!
Steve, your efforts have not been wasted.
The last two days riding, even before I read your words have confirmed that I should stop worrying. It's all good again. Much better even!
I think rather than adjusting the tyre pressures I should have checked the pressure in my head first. Obviously too high.
A week in the sun. The best bike maintenance money can buy.
PS. I did take the bike to the local shop before I went away. The mechanic grabbed his lid and took her for a spin round the block.
He came back and said "I can't fell anything wrong. Got anything heavy in your top box"?
I realised that on the way to work that morning I'd had some real heavy crap in there. Much more load than usual. I thanked him for his time (free of charge) and rode home felling like a bit of a ****.
Yeah.... I'll check the alignment, springs, oil..... but really, I should know better than taking the anvil to work on the back of the bike. Dumb ***!
Thanks Steve. You're so wise. Hope you get more time to ride. That ranch of yours must be nearly done now surely.
Pete, did you say something?
#16
06-07-2011, 09:58 PM
Just this our Enry
1 Welcome back !
2 I have never adjusted my idler shaft
3 I've never done the valves
4 I've not had the carbs apart except for lower gaskets
Mileage - 62000 or 100000 K's.
I run it on diesel oil
I've given up replacing camchains and tensioners.
I fix it if it breaks. I give it new oil, filters, brakepads, tyres and plugs when needed.
I did a chain and sprockets, once............and some wheel bearings.
She goes to a bike shop for tyres only because fitting and balancing is free with new ones.
She's ALWAYS clean.
Message for Steve.
"shove some Wynn's injector cleaner through the carbs" @3x concentrate for 1 tank.
1 bike will run better
2 Clanking from camchain will reduce.
3 Carry a small copy of the "King James Version" for the rest 
Thus endeth the lesson.
1 Welcome back !
2 I have never adjusted my idler shaft
3 I've never done the valves
4 I've not had the carbs apart except for lower gaskets
Mileage - 62000 or 100000 K's.
I run it on diesel oil
I've given up replacing camchains and tensioners.
I fix it if it breaks. I give it new oil, filters, brakepads, tyres and plugs when needed.
I did a chain and sprockets, once............and some wheel bearings.
She goes to a bike shop for tyres only because fitting and balancing is free with new ones.
She's ALWAYS clean.
Message for Steve.
"shove some Wynn's injector cleaner through the carbs" @3x concentrate for 1 tank.
1 bike will run better
2 Clanking from camchain will reduce.
3 Carry a small copy of the "King James Version" for the rest
Thus endeth the lesson.
#17
06-08-2011, 05:41 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Captain Classic, King of the one liners has learnt to write in joined ups and has nearly filled a page of A4 in legible writing without any spelling mistakes
BTW -
Things allot of the time are not necessarily what they seem of face value ....
and I do try not to bore the viewers to total death mate ....
glad to see you back ....
lolol
Last edited by CBRclassic; 06-08-2011 at 05:45 AM.
#18
06-09-2011, 08:02 AM
I know you're feeling a bit tender at the moment Steve-o, understandably.
I meant what I said though. Your words are spot on.
I'd like to add also that while I was away I got a chance to do a bit of reading, a real rarity for me. I got through 3 bike mags and part of a book. The bike mags had a lot of tips about riding position. On my first ride I experimented with some of the suggestions and low and behold, simple little things really made a big difference to my riding. Position of feet on pegs, slightly more bend in arms, bar grip etc etc. I guess I'd just got lazy.
In future though if I have any handling related problems I'll always start the trouble shooting by taking a look at how I ride, rather than mechanical faults.
Pete, thanks for your sage words too. Wise as always.
I feel as though there may be a bit of a backlash against maintenance building on the back of this thread, or perhaps it's time we started 'What haven't you done to your CBR today'.
Thanks all!
I meant what I said though. Your words are spot on.
I'd like to add also that while I was away I got a chance to do a bit of reading, a real rarity for me. I got through 3 bike mags and part of a book. The bike mags had a lot of tips about riding position. On my first ride I experimented with some of the suggestions and low and behold, simple little things really made a big difference to my riding. Position of feet on pegs, slightly more bend in arms, bar grip etc etc. I guess I'd just got lazy.
In future though if I have any handling related problems I'll always start the trouble shooting by taking a look at how I ride, rather than mechanical faults.
Pete, thanks for your sage words too. Wise as always.
I feel as though there may be a bit of a backlash against maintenance building on the back of this thread, or perhaps it's time we started 'What haven't you done to your CBR today'.
Thanks all!
#19
06-09-2011, 09:29 AM
Quote there may be a bit of a backlash against maintenance
I don't see it as backlash our 'Enry, more a statement about how those of us who ride 24/7/365 and don't have an "off season" where all you can do is maintain your bike deal with the problems. I hate having my bike off the road - it makes me really ratty- gawd knows what I'd be like in the northern US or Greenland (hallo Hagbard}
Also I believe that a helluva lot of maintenance is done for the sake of it - more something to do when " 'er upstairs" is ratarsed and it's the best therapy there is if you can't ride.
I will never advocate dropping maintenance standards, but I do believe
"If it isn't broken, don't fix it" More often than not you end up doing more harm than good. (this I know to be true)
But a true biker is always tinkering - and while I wouldn't say I'm not as guilty as many others, it's more for the love of it than the real need.
I've had my share of problems, as you know well, but in reality the bike has stopped working twice in 84000 K's, both with the same problem, and I still got it to where I was going, albeit with a bit of delay and swearing. Both electrical, battery related.
Gawd I wish you could check battery water without having to pull the damned thing out !!
So, a bit long winded but I'm sure you get my drift.
(also as you get older, a night out in a shed in the winter isn't my idea of fun anymore)
I can see Steve-o grinning and nodding as I write. Cheer up son, it'll be good again.
I don't see it as backlash our 'Enry, more a statement about how those of us who ride 24/7/365 and don't have an "off season" where all you can do is maintain your bike deal with the problems. I hate having my bike off the road - it makes me really ratty- gawd knows what I'd be like in the northern US or Greenland (hallo Hagbard}
Also I believe that a helluva lot of maintenance is done for the sake of it - more something to do when " 'er upstairs" is ratarsed and it's the best therapy there is if you can't ride.
I will never advocate dropping maintenance standards, but I do believe
"If it isn't broken, don't fix it" More often than not you end up doing more harm than good. (this I know to be true)
But a true biker is always tinkering - and while I wouldn't say I'm not as guilty as many others, it's more for the love of it than the real need.
I've had my share of problems, as you know well, but in reality the bike has stopped working twice in 84000 K's, both with the same problem, and I still got it to where I was going, albeit with a bit of delay and swearing. Both electrical, battery related.
Gawd I wish you could check battery water without having to pull the damned thing out !!
So, a bit long winded but I'm sure you get my drift.
(also as you get older, a night out in a shed in the winter isn't my idea of fun anymore)
I can see Steve-o grinning and nodding as I write. Cheer up son, it'll be good again.
#20
06-09-2011, 03:34 PM
Hey:
Well Shadow, here is your answer to your battery problems, a sealed AGM battery @ a good price. Now you have taken out that weak link too.
UTX14AHL YTX14AHL-BS YB14L-A2 Ducati Motorcycle Battery | eBay
They used to sell them for $27.00 and $16.00 USD shipping in the states, the same as dealer cost only to the public.
They were the best deal going for a AGM battery with 1 yr warranty
Dub
Well Shadow, here is your answer to your battery problems, a sealed AGM battery @ a good price. Now you have taken out that weak link too.
UTX14AHL YTX14AHL-BS YB14L-A2 Ducati Motorcycle Battery | eBay
They used to sell them for $27.00 and $16.00 USD shipping in the states, the same as dealer cost only to the public.
They were the best deal going for a AGM battery with 1 yr warranty
Dub
Last edited by CBR1988; 06-09-2011 at 03:40 PM.