pulling to right

[slider]

1997 standard    all suspension stock from factory and works as it should,49200 miles.I have noticed that when going down the interstate bike feels like it is pulling to the right just a little,have ckd the bearings,frt and rear,rear shocks are adjusted the same,tire pressure frt  40 rear  44,swing arm has no play side to side frt steering is smooth and can feel no rough spots in it,no frt to back play...am I missing something..??thanks oh and hav drove thru water to check tracking and its good as well.

[Chrisj CMA]

what about shock bushings....remove the seat, see if the bolt (upper shock mount) is in the middle of the eye or off centered.  Not in the middle, bushings are shot, could cause the pulling

Worn tires can do it too

[slider]

shock bushings replaced 6 months ago,new avons (put on by stealer)didnt pull after new tires,this something new thats started

[TearlessTom]

Loosen your front axle like you are going to remove the tire but don't have to go that far just loosen the axle.

Then re-tighten the axle according to the service manual. there is a step by step procedure which includes tighten one side, bounce the bike tighten other side bounce , loosen, then tighten or something like that.

If this is the issue the forks are not parallel and will cause a pulling to one side or the other.

Also low fluid in one of the forks will also cause a pulling.

I hope this helps.

I thought mine was pulling for the longest but then I realized that my trip to work heading west the wind on the causeway was from the north. Coming home at night heading east the wind was from the south so both times I was being pushed to the left.

Wasn't till I had a chance to hit the super-slab running north and south that I realized the pulling was not there...

[Ricky-D]

There is no such thing as a two wheel vehicle "pulling" to one side or the other and thinking such is: fallacy.

If your bike wants to go to one side of the road or the other, it is because of the crown in the road on which you are riding, and which can be exacerbated by a worn tire and/or DS riding. Don't say the road is not crowned because that is your perception only! All roads are crowned.

More than likely you are not sitting centered on the bike or similarly there is a off center balance condition with the bike like maybe carrying your fifty pounds of tool kit in a saddlebag. Might could be your windshield acting as a foil. Ever think of that?

The only other possibility could be that your bike is steering to one side or the other which could be a result of you having indexed the steering stem bearings; from a head on collision of some sort or a poor mechanical operation performed at the same steering stem area.

Anything else that will be mentioned (in this thread), maybe would have an effect on the ride ability of the bike, but will definitely not cause what you describe (pulling). Ride ability encompasses thinks such as vibration, wobble, loose handling and the myriad of complaints most generally delineated on this forum.

Reexamine what's going on and maybe you will come up with the answer. Actually you will be the only one able to divine the problem you state so the answer will be solely reliant on how observant and thoroughly you investigate your bike and report what you find.

Consider this possibility.  A rider just completely finished a do over of all the goodies on the bike and now complains of the bike; it seems the bike wants to pull to one side all the time. The cure involved rerouting the wires and cables on the front end. Seems the extra braiding and coverings on all that stuff incurred forces against the steering that manifested itself in making the bike want to go into a death spiral whenever he took it for a ride.

Just saying: You will be the arbiter in this discussion.

***

[Chrisj CMA]

WOW.  just WOW

If the bike "steers" kinda on its own to one side,and one chooses to call that "pulling" I think most of us are able to understand that.....sheesh

The man said something had changed, wanted to know if he was checking everything.......maybe the road changed and hell find there is no problem with his bike, but he didnt deserve a slamming

[alph]

i was thinking the same thing as Ricky-D.  try driving on the other lane, see if that changes things, also, while you ride check out any "Flags".  which way is the wind blowing?  if you had your front wheel serviced the axil might not be seated 100%?  check that.  how many miles are on that front tire? 

[John Schmidt]

There is no such thing as a two wheel vehicle "pulling" to one side or the other and thinking such is: fallacy.

"......the bike wants to pull to one side......"

Ricky, I agree with you to a point....one of them being some of the roads in my old home state of Iowa in fact are NOT crowned. Also, neither are some of the older rural roads in Illinois and I can only assume such for some other midwest states. In fact, until recently there were still some rural roads in Illinois that were only paved on half the road. They've been that way since the 40's....one side pavement, the other side gravel. And not crowned. I know, that has nothing to do with the issue at hand, just that we should be cautious in making blanket statements. However, the rest of the points made are worthy of consideration.

I do have to agree with Chris re. critical remarks. Not necessary. We all knew what he was referring to, as did you, and are also aware of the fact that if there is only one wheel on each axle, there is nothing to pull it in one direction or the other. Which brings me to your last paragraph quoted above....is that your statement or the other bike owner's comment you were using as an example?

[slider]

found it,the two front axel pinch bolts on rt side were loose one real loose the other just loose.Tightened them up problem gone,thanks for all you in put   it started me rechecking what had been done,Im calling the stealer in the am and letting him know..

[TearlessTom]

DING DING DING!!! I finally won a prize for a right answer (kinda) at least right direction

 

[X Ring]

DING DING DING!!! I finally won a prize for a right answer (kinda) at least right direction

 

At least something is going right for you.  If I don't have anything going on this weekend, I'll give you a shout and maybe we can track down that gremlin your Valk has.

Marty

[ricoman]

There is no such thing as a two wheel vehicle "pulling" to one side or the other and thinking such is: fallacy.

If your bike wants to go to one side of the road or the other, it is because of the crown in the road on which you are riding, and which can be exacerbated by a worn tire and/or DS riding. Don't say the road is not crowned because that is your perception only! All roads are crowned.





















All roads are NOT crowned. Some slope left to right, some right to left. Some are crowned (higher in the middle).
All are not crowned. The slope of the wearing surface of the road (whichever way it slopes) is to let water run off to the swale, ditch; or curb inlet, or grate inlet, etc. (the latter two examples leading to pipes to convey the water to a storage area such as a swale, pond, ditch, etc.). Some roads are "inverted crown" which conveys the water to a grate inlet (valley inlet) in the center of the roadleading to a pipe conveyance system. This is most common in parking lots, private roads such as trailer parks or apartment/condo complexes.
If your forks are twisted, even slightly,in relation to each other you will have a "pulling" effect when riding.

[TearlessTom]

DING DING DING!!! I finally won a prize for a right answer (kinda) at least right direction

 

At least something is going right for you.  If I don't have anything going on this weekend, I'll give you a shout and maybe we can track down that gremlin your Valk has.

Marty

Took a 200 mile I hadn't been on my bike for a month ride yesterday. Went up to Coffeeville Al just to get out and stretch  my legs so to speak.

I am working this weekend but I would appreciate any help.  I will be off Monday Tuesday then Friday Saturday Sunday next week.
The guy I bought the harness from sent me a note and it is in the mail so it sould be here late this week.

Thanks

[X Ring]

Weekend after next should be good for me.  I'll shoot an email next week and we can set it up.

Marty