Mez
Active Member
Hi guys,
got a bit of an odd query. Before I ask let me give you a tad of background. I passed my motorbike test on a CG125 after riding on and off for 5 years, then I sold that and went out and bought my ZL400. So there's that!
I've had it 12 months now and due to work I barely get time to ride the thing. What I want to know is... how are these bikes really meant to handle? In the time I've had mine I put new stock shocks on the rear, new front wheel bearings and serviced the forks (they need doing again 'cos there seems to be a bit of misting on one side. To be fair it was a bit of a rush job and I think I may have nicked one of the new seals whilst fitting... practice makes perfect right?
). The tyres are Bridgestone Battlax ones with good condition and pressures. The headstock bearings SEEM okay. But... every damn bump in the road throws the bike all over the place. Part of me has developed a slight confidence issue with this which only escalates the sensations for me. It's terribly twitchy and the feedback is horrible. I love this bike but at times I think of selling it because of this!
So can someone reassure me one way or the other? I do intend to do the forks again (properly. If anyone could confirm the quantity and recommend a weight that would be great, I KNOW they will be the best they can then) when I can spare the pennies. Oh, and it's about 18k miles on it, and judging by the niggling little repairs it's had to have, no maintenance had ever been carried out on it previous to me owning it. I remember trying to remove the mud guard to spray the fork legs... well, the thing snapped in two as I tried to remove it.
A good while back I remember my fella's mate suggesting perhaps checking the swinging arm bearings too?
got a bit of an odd query. Before I ask let me give you a tad of background. I passed my motorbike test on a CG125 after riding on and off for 5 years, then I sold that and went out and bought my ZL400. So there's that!
I've had it 12 months now and due to work I barely get time to ride the thing. What I want to know is... how are these bikes really meant to handle? In the time I've had mine I put new stock shocks on the rear, new front wheel bearings and serviced the forks (they need doing again 'cos there seems to be a bit of misting on one side. To be fair it was a bit of a rush job and I think I may have nicked one of the new seals whilst fitting... practice makes perfect right?
). The tyres are Bridgestone Battlax ones with good condition and pressures. The headstock bearings SEEM okay. But... every damn bump in the road throws the bike all over the place. Part of me has developed a slight confidence issue with this which only escalates the sensations for me. It's terribly twitchy and the feedback is horrible. I love this bike but at times I think of selling it because of this!So can someone reassure me one way or the other? I do intend to do the forks again (properly. If anyone could confirm the quantity and recommend a weight that would be great, I KNOW they will be the best they can then) when I can spare the pennies. Oh, and it's about 18k miles on it, and judging by the niggling little repairs it's had to have, no maintenance had ever been carried out on it previous to me owning it. I remember trying to remove the mud guard to spray the fork legs... well, the thing snapped in two as I tried to remove it.
A good while back I remember my fella's mate suggesting perhaps checking the swinging arm bearings too?
How many miles is on the bike. I would check the steering stem bearings. They may be loose. Get the bike up off the ground. See if the bike has movement by grabbing the lower fork tubes. Tilt the handle bars slightly to one side & let go. The weight of the front tire/wheel should make the bike turn slowly by it's self & stop on the stopper. If it moves to quickly the bearing my be loose. The bearings may need cleaned up & repacked with grease. Does the bike have spokes or mag wheels. My be the front rim. Has the bike sat for a long time. A flat spot on the tire can cause these symptoms.
