05 RKC Handling dilema

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Jul 11, 2006 | 01:44 PM

#131

jrlaidle

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Joined: Nov 2005

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RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema

Over the 4th weekend a couple freinds and I did about 1800 miles. Before we left, I tightened my belt per the manual. I noticed that the bike pulled to the left slightly when I let go of the bars on that trip. Once I got home, I decided to take another look at the belt as I also noticed a whine at about 40 mph. I have an 05 RK Custom. When I was fooling with the adjustment cams, I noticed that there is quite a bit of slop in them. What I did was put tension on the wrench (which caused the wheel to move up on the left side) and get the belt tension where I wanted it. I then tightened the nut on the right side of the axle without ever taking tension off of the wrench I was using to tension the belt. Now there is no whine, and the thing tracks straight as an arrow. Just another thing to try I guess.

Josh

Jul 11, 2006 | 03:52 PM

#132

stafford

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,268

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RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema

My new road king does the same thing, not realy hard but it does pull a little to the left

Jul 14, 2006 | 02:01 AM

#133

MOking

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 415

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From: St. Louis

RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema

I've been quiet on this one...guess just watching to see where it goes. I also have tracked to the left for some time. Read a year ago that it was a common and easy fix to adjust the clutch cable to get straight ride.

I can also shift a tad to the ride and hold it true for miles with the assistance of cruise control. Regardless....yet another RK pulling to the left.

Jul 14, 2006 | 11:02 AM

#134

Retired_Ted

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From:

RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema

Quote:

ORIGINAL: MOking

I've been quiet on this one...guess just watching to see where it goes. I also have tracked to the left for some time. Read a year ago that it was a common and easy fix to adjust the clutch cable to get straight ride.

I can also shift a tad to the ride and hold it true for miles with the assistance of cruise control. Regardless....yet another RK pulling to the left.

One of the beauties of the HD touring models (and others, I assume) is that they can be aligned - if the bike pulls to one side or the other, have it aligned. I owned a 2000 BMW R1100RT for 60K miles that also pulled HARD to the right. In fact, I had to constantly apply pressure to the left handlebar to keep the bike going staight. It actually wore the front tire on the left side of center prematurely in order to keep it on the road. Dealer said - it's normal - that's how BMW handles their complaints - normal (along with seized clutch splines, poor weather sealing of instruments, poor switch mechs, etc etc). I replaced front tires on the R1100 every other oil change and changed oil every 3K. Glad I now own the HD RK.