Handlebars hard to turn
- Steering head bearing adjuster nut too tight. Check adjustment as described in Chapter 1.
- Bearings damaged. Roughness can be felt as the bars are turned from side-to-side. Renew bearings and races (Chapter 6).
- Races dented or worn. Denting results from wear in only one position (e.g., straight ahead), from a collision or hitting a pothole or from dropping the machine. Renew races and bearings (Chapter 6).
- Steering stem lubrication inadequate. Causes are grease getting hard from age or being washed out by high pressure car washes. Disassemble steering head and repack bearings (Chapter 6)
- Steering stem bent. Caused by a collision, hitting a pothole or by dropping the machine. Replace damaged part. Don't try to straighten the steering stem (Chapter 6),
- Front tyre air pressure too low (Chapter 1).
Handlebars shake or vibrates excessively
- Tyres worn or out of balance (Chapter 7).
- Swingarm bearings worn. Renew worn bearings (Chapter 6).
- Wheel rim warped or damaged. Inspect wheels for runout (Chapter 7).
- Wheel bearings worn. Worn front or rear wheel bearings can cause poor tracking. Worn front bearings will cause wobble (Chapter 7).
- Handlebar clamp bolts loose (Chapter 6).
- Fork yoke bolts loose. Tighten them to the specified torque (Chapter 6).
- Engine mounting bolts loose. Will cause excessive vibration with increased engine rpm (Chapter 2).
Handlebar pulls to one side
- Frame bent. Definitely suspect this if the machine has been dropped. May or may not be accompanied by cracking near the bend. Renew the frame (Chapter 6).
- Wheels out of alignment. Caused by improper location of axle spacers or from bent steering stem or frame (Chapter 6).
- Swingarm bent or twisted. Caused by age (metal fatigue) or impact damage. Renew the swingarm (Chapter 6).
- Steering stem bent. Caused by impact damage or by dropping the motorcycle. Renew the steering stem (Chapter 6).
- Fork tube bent. Disassemble the forks and replace the damaged parts (Chapter 6),
- Fork oil level uneven. Check and add or drain as necessary (Chapter 6).
Poor shock absorbing qualities
- Too hard:
- a) Fork oil level excessive (Chapter 6).
- b) Fork oil viscosity too high. Use a lighter oil (see the Specifications in Chapter 6).
- c) Fork tube bent. Causes a harsh, sticking feeling (Chapter 6).
- d) Fork internal damage (Chapter 6).
- e) Shock shaft or body bent or damaged (Chapter 6).
- f) Shock internal damage.
- g) Tyre pressure too high (Chapter 1).
- Too soft: