tire issue

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Apr 16, 2006 | 02:03 PM

howieheels

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Joined: Sep 2005

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tire issue

Traded my 1200c in for a new RK classic last week. I was riding with a friend when he noticed while passing me that the front tire looka little wobbly. The next time I took her out, I look at the front tire and indeed it did look like it was moving a little from side to side. I though maybe it was the white walls but the rest of the tire was doing it. Dealer is swamped and can not see the bike until next week. I also noticed that the handel bar was turned to the right a little when driving strait. I measured from the same spot on both sides of the bar to the tank and sure enough it was about 1/4 inch difference. Just wondering if this is an simple fix on the handle bar and also does it sound like the tire is out of balance or somerthing else. thanks for your advance input

Howie

Apr 16, 2006 | 09:12 PM

RBJones

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 485

Likes: 10

From: East Tennessee

RE: tire issue

Weird. I would take this back to the dealer immediately, even if he's swamped and tell him you want another motorcycle. You bought a new bike that sounds like it has been wrecked or at least run into a curb or something. The tire wobble is likely caused by the spokes being out of tune, a sign that the rim has hit something solid like a curb. Handlebars off that much could show forks have been twisted. I wouldn't accept this bike as new. Good luck.

Apr 16, 2006 | 11:07 PM

reedv

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2006

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RE: tire issue

check your spokes .my rear wheel caused my bike to feel disconnected. had to replace whole wheel assembly due to warped wheel expensive

Apr 17, 2006 | 02:31 AM

mikeisglidn

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 7,954

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From: jacksonville, nc

RE: tire issue

laced wheels have a tendancy to wobble just a bit. havent seen many that didnt. good luck

Apr 17, 2006 | 09:58 AM

roadkingboy

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Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 91

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From: Northumberland UK

RE: tire issue

Hi there,

If it is the spokes be very careful, you need to check EACH one to ensure correct tension, DO NOT ASSUME THE DEALER WILL DO THIS AUTOMATICALLY ON A SERVICE. They should but dont. I had a rear wheel disintigrate at 80 MPH on a German autobahn, on my last RoadKing something like 17 spokes broken and a hole in the tyre big enough to ride through. I was very very lucky to stay upright. I just plain dont like spoked wheels now and ALWAYS replace with cast ones see pic on latest RKC.
As for the bars, may not be a big problem they sit on a grooved rubber block and if you get a friend to hold the wheel straight you may be able to push them back to level, any worries though needs to be checked out.

Ride safe out there

[IMG]local://upfiles/6115/0CF5EE109C0348389B0FA0C0F1046230.jpg[/IMG]

Apr 17, 2006 | 01:00 PM

skos

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 3,772

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From: Texas, USA

RE: tire issue

I believe spokes are fine if correctly maintained. Ridden spokes all my life. I am also a big bicycler. Spokes wear, break or go out of alignment just like any other piece of hardware. If you are unconformable doing work yourself, then make sure you have a pro do it. Since it is new bike go back to dealer & demand it fix or tell them you want a refund (squeaky wheel).

Apr 17, 2006 | 02:30 PM

roadkingboy

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From: Northumberland UK

RE: tire issue

Skos,
you are probably right, my point was DONT assume dealers check tension, they dont always, and you dont want to learn the hard way. So check yourself!