05 RKC Handling dilema
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 2
From: Central, NY
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
ORIGINAL: MixedNuts
By the way JB what does your shoulder have to do with it[sm=dontgetit.gif]
By the way JB what does your shoulder have to do with it[sm=dontgetit.gif]
I'm not making excuses for the MoCo here, just wondering if I'm contributing to the problem on my bike - that's all.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
From: Jersey Shore
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
Not yet. I drop it off at the dealer on tuesday the 21st. I will post when they tell me something. This should be good. They are quite inventive and imaginitive. Check this one out:
I had a complaint about a few marks on my right saddlebag the day I picked it up. It's clearly a boot mark when the bike was mounted by one of their people. Their warranty guy told me the mark was made when the animal they used for the leather leaned up against the barbed wire fence that penned them.
I did'nt know whether to laugh in his face or wait for the factory rep. I did both. As soon as the pulling problem is squared away I'll pursue the saddlebag issue.
I had a complaint about a few marks on my right saddlebag the day I picked it up. It's clearly a boot mark when the bike was mounted by one of their people. Their warranty guy told me the mark was made when the animal they used for the leather leaned up against the barbed wire fence that penned them.
I did'nt know whether to laugh in his face or wait for the factory rep. I did both. As soon as the pulling problem is squared away I'll pursue the saddlebag issue.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
I haven’t had a chance to mess with the rear alignment yet. I did however adjust the left footboard, and contrary to some opinions, it did help. The footboards at different heights will cause you to sit funny on the bike. Two things I’ve noticed: First, the back wheel is visibly off-center. The front of the back tire is centered. The rear is off by ¼”. Second, the bike becomes more stable as speed increases, however it seems to be hunting for a path all the time. I know there are other contributing factors, wind, road grooves, etc.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
From: Jersey Shore
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
I noticed the same with the look of the rear wheel. It looks like the front edge of the tire is facing the right and the top of the wheel is kicked right of center also. My bike has the same handling characteristics.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
From: Jersey Shore
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
OK guys here's what the dealer told me. The fallaway of the front end was out of spec. The steering head bearings were adjusted too tight from the factory.
The fall away is an adjustment that allows the front end to make a few swings from stop to stop left to right all by itself.
My question is why doesn't the pull occur in any direction I put the bike into if the front end does not return to center? Why only to the left? They did not have an answer for me.
I have not ridden the bike yet but I will let you all know when I do.
Harley Davidson also told me to give the dealer the reference number to help aide their techs. I was also told by the dealer that they are not billing H/D they ate the repairs as a favor to me because the adjustment is considered a maintenance item. Guess what? No dealer survey to me to rate my service experience. Sneaky little devils.
More to come tomorrow, later
The fall away is an adjustment that allows the front end to make a few swings from stop to stop left to right all by itself.
My question is why doesn't the pull occur in any direction I put the bike into if the front end does not return to center? Why only to the left? They did not have an answer for me.
I have not ridden the bike yet but I will let you all know when I do.
Harley Davidson also told me to give the dealer the reference number to help aide their techs. I was also told by the dealer that they are not billing H/D they ate the repairs as a favor to me because the adjustment is considered a maintenance item. Guess what? No dealer survey to me to rate my service experience. Sneaky little devils.
More to come tomorrow, later
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 1
From:
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
Good point, however, if the bike pulls hard to the left as described, the driver will have to continually lean slightly to the right to counter the pull and will begin wearing the front (and probably rear) tire off center. Since the bike is continually trying to counter the pull, the rider will also fatigue earlier and may develope back and shoulder pain from the subtle continual lean. I make this point from past experience with a 2000 BMW R1100RT that pulled to the right causing all the above to happen. BMW's are know for their PTTR syndrome (pttr=pull-to-the-right).
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,772
Likes: 9
From: Texas, USA
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
Taking your hands off the bars & letting go for a little bit is the way they test alignment on a rode test. They do this to all kind of 2 wheel bike including bicycles. The only exception is a track bike that is going in the same circle, then they the adjustment is off to compensate. I agree this could be a small problem that could turn into a bigger issue with tire wear & such. Go to the owner or store mngr & tell you have talked to manufacturing. Ask him if it is worth a lawsuit if something were to happen.