STEERING problems

jimartina · 09-13-2010, 11:59 AM

Ok so here it goes, I bought this bike and it ran ok. However it is HARD to turn front wheel back to dead center. I bought and replaced the stearing bearings/dust covers. It now turns smoother but still hard to go back to dead center. Could the shaft be bent? it looked straight upon inspection.

EDIT: sorry bike is a 1999 gz250 greenish/teal color.

Sarris · 09-13-2010, 12:13 PM

A bent steering shaft is possible, but kind of unlikely. Did you check it with a straight edge?

I would suggest that you download the service manual here on site and adjust the steering head pre-load meticulously to manual specs.

My GeeZer is a little heavy coming back to center off of full stop, but not tight. Is it possible that is the (non) problem?

jimartina · 09-13-2010, 12:22 PM

You may be on to something. I will bust out the tourqe wrench when I get home. I hadn't thought of that as a problem for the "tight" steering. Makes alot of sense TY

dentheman · 09-13-2010, 01:05 PM

If you still think there is a problem after torqueing, jack the bike up enough to get the front wheel off the ground then check to see if there is still some binding when turning from side to side. Check for control cables binding, and I guess it is possible something could be bent from a front end collision.

mrlmd1 · 09-13-2010, 01:22 PM

Just for the heck of it, check your tire pressure. Real soft tires (low pressure) can make steering a little difficult too.

bonehead · 09-13-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

Just for the heck of it, check your tire pressure. Real soft tires (low pressure) can make steering a little difficult too.

:plus1: :plus1:

jimartina · 09-13-2010, 10:19 PM

Thanks for the ideas. I have new tires that will be here Wednesday and after I get the tires aired up properly I will see if it made a diff and report back. Thanks again.

alantf · 09-14-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimartina

Thanks for the ideas. I have new tires that will be here Wednesday and after I get the tires aired up properly I will see if it made a diff and report back. Thanks again.

Why not - just for the hell of it - let us know what the pressure is NOW? Might give us more insight into the problem at THIS moment in time. :2tup:

Water Warrior 2 · 09-14-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alantf

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimartina

Thanks for the ideas. I have new tires that will be here Wednesday and after I get the tires aired up properly I will see if it made a diff and report back. Thanks again.

Why not - just for the hell of it - let us know what the pressure is NOW? Might give us more insight into the problem at THIS moment in time. :2tup:

There'as a plan. Why didn't I think of that. Good call Alantf.

jimartina · 09-17-2010, 01:34 PM

OK so here is what we KNOW so far. Tires pressure front=25lbs Rear=28lbs. it appears that the owners manual calls for those pressures. However the tires that are on it call for front=35 rear 40. SO I added air to front and back to front=33lbs and rear 38lbs. STEERS MUCH easier. I DID NOT loosen the steering stem nut yet. NEW tires getting mounted and balanced today. Will post pics after tires and wheels are back on and bike is scrubed down and shined up.
EDIT: fyi purchased kenda tires off ebay after researching tires on here.

09-13-2010, 11:59 AM	#1
jimartina Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 6	STEERING problems Ok so here it goes, I bought this bike and it ran ok. However it is HARD to turn front wheel back to dead center. I bought and replaced the stearing bearings/dust covers. It now turns smoother but still hard to go back to dead center. Could the shaft be bent? it looked straight upon inspection. EDIT: sorry bike is a 1999 gz250 greenish/teal color. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-13-2010, 12:13 PM	#2
Sarris Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Port Richey, Florida USA Posts: 1,348	Re: STEERING problems A bent steering shaft is possible, but kind of unlikely. Did you check it with a straight edge? I would suggest that you download the service manual here on site and adjust the steering head pre-load meticulously to manual specs. My GeeZer is a little heavy coming back to center off of full stop, but not tight. Is it possible that is the (non) problem? __________________ Prudent riders live longer than moron riders.
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09-13-2010, 12:22 PM	#3
jimartina Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 6	Re: STEERING problems You may be on to something. I will bust out the tourqe wrench when I get home. I hadn't thought of that as a problem for the "tight" steering. Makes alot of sense TY Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-13-2010, 01:05 PM	#4
dentheman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 629	Re: STEERING problems If you still think there is a problem after torqueing, jack the bike up enough to get the front wheel off the ground then check to see if there is still some binding when turning from side to side. Check for control cables binding, and I guess it is possible something could be bent from a front end collision. __________________ 2007 Shadow Spirit 750
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09-13-2010, 01:22 PM	#5
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: STEERING problems Just for the heck of it, check your tire pressure. Real soft tires (low pressure) can make steering a little difficult too. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-13-2010, 10:19 PM	#7
jimartina Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 6	Re: STEERING problems Thanks for the ideas. I have new tires that will be here Wednesday and after I get the tires aired up properly I will see if it made a diff and report back. Thanks again.
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09-17-2010, 01:34 PM	#10
jimartina Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 6	Re: STEERING problems OK so here is what we KNOW so far. Tires pressure front=25lbs Rear=28lbs. it appears that the owners manual calls for those pressures. However the tires that are on it call for front=35 rear 40. SO I added air to front and back to front=33lbs and rear 38lbs. STEERS MUCH easier. I DID NOT loosen the steering stem nut yet. NEW tires getting mounted and balanced today. Will post pics after tires and wheels are back on and bike is scrubed down and shined up. EDIT: fyi purchased kenda tires off ebay after researching tires on here.
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