jon v8 Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 I managed to spend 1/2 a day in the workshop today sorting my bikes out.(A bit anyway) Now I seem to be getting my HT sorted out a bit I'm getting more fussy about what I need to do to it.A mate of mine had a ride on it and said how something was wrong with the steering/frame geometry.(He is a high level rider,but I never admit it to him.)He mentioned that the front wheel tends to steer the first bit from straight ahead,then just flop toward full lock.I'd noticed it,not so much when riding it,but more when its on its side stand -touch the bars and they flop right around.When I'm riding it I dont really notice it as a problem,but after a trial my arms are about 2 foot longer the next day.(I just thought it was the after effect of riding a big bike rather than the girly TY250....) It doesnt tuck in or show any nasty habits when riding,but does seem to need alot of steering input when riding,now I'm paying attention to it.So today I was looking at it to see what was what,its an Alan Brown frame about 15yrs old,with Norton forks.Looking at the rear shocks they appear quite short so I measured them,300mm centres.Then I thought about what would happen if I fitted longer units so I sat the rear wheel on a piece of 40mm thick wood.This seemed to lessen the floppy steering effect,so my question is - would it be better with longer shocks ? Sorry to dribble on,but its been a long week at work and a curry/booze have gotten the better of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie prescott Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Hi guy's. Hi Jon. Try fitting longer back units mate it should help, you could go to 350mm. What fork yokes are you using? and how close to the steering head are they? You need to check the amount of trail you have. you could also try and work out what steering head angle you have on the frame. You need an angle gauge for this (inclinometer), With the seat tube vertical. Regards Charlie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon v8 Posted April 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 Thanks Charlie, I think it is worth playing around with it a bit,I'll make some extensions for the shocks to make them up to 340mm for a start.That way I can see what the effect will be without spending any serious dosh.I've no idea what the exact spec of the forks is,except that they are Norton - with a large crack on the LH side where the pinch bolt on the splindle has been overtightened..... The RH leg is leaking too,and they behave a bit like pogo sticks,trouble is the rest of it is going so well I'm loath to take it to bits as I'm a bit slow in getting things back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie prescott Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 Hi Guys's Hi Jon. Yes I have the same trouble, and keep being bol""ted by my bruv for taking things to bits, and then over exagerating the problems why I am not putting them back together quicker. But I do love to play! And there is nothing like getting things right in the end!!! Regards Charlie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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