Upgrade problem

[MDGeorge]

2008 GL1800 CSC. 5.5 rake, Mich Activ front tire in reverse. tire pressure 40 front, 26 rear.
I rode some big curves in June when I first got the trike. The bike was stable, but had a hard time with the bumps. It would make the front end shake and wobble.

So.. I put fork extension, replaced the springs, and added SuperBrace. Big improvement. The bike rides great for all but one issue.

I went back to the same big curves. The shaking and wobble is gone, however when I take a big curve, to the right only, I get a new wobble. It is more like the front tire is trying to do circles.
This happens at the peek of the curve, about 60mph, and only when it is a really hard curve. If I don't push the speed, it does not do this.

1st guess is that the SuperBrace is too tight.
I just checked the tire pressure: Front 36, rear 23.

Any suggestions?

 

[0pini0nated]

Don't ride at 60 MPH around right, big, hard curves = Problem solved ThumbUp

Seriously, I think the fork brace is inert, and just a reflection of your front end geometry alignment. I'd look at the front tire instead, which is installed backwards. I know that these (Michelin Pilot Activ front tire in reverse ) are popular, but Michelin puts an arrow on the side of bias-ply tire sidewalls for a reason.

My 2¢

 

[The Wolf]

We have many bends (curves) in the Uk also roundabouts to contend with. I ride my 1800 CSC with 41 on the front & 22 on the back without problems.ThumbUp

 

[skuuter]

TRY:

Loosen the Super Brace Bolts

Loosen the Axle Bolts

Make sure the Front Wheel is pointing perfectly straight ahead during ALL of this process

"Snug" the Axle Bolts

"Snug" the Super Brace Bolts

Straddle the Trike and bounce the Frontend while holding the Brake

WAIT A MINUTE:

Tighten Axle Bolts

Tighten Super Brace Bolts

Go ride the same road for a Test.....ThumbUp

 

[msocko3]

I wonder if the anti dive if its still active is giving it some handling fits, it may be the front suspension can't follow the contours of the road due to it being to stiff. I got to do quite a bit of talking about suspensions with a good friend of mine who does suspension work.

One thing he has found in shop he works for is quite a few of the trikes brought to them have the front suspension hosed up. Some of the installers are tossing all kinds of stuff in to try and preload the springs and hold the front end up, he's found stacks of washers among some of the prizes installers are tossing in the forks. Once they fix what was hosed up the trikes owner is amazed at how well it handles.

 

[MDGeorge]

WOW.
All I know of on mine is the fork extensions and new springs.

 

[jackpoet]

Don't ride at 60 MPH around right, big, hard curves = Problem solved ThumbUp

Seriously, I think the fork brace is inert, and just a reflection of your front end geometry alignment. I'd look at the front tire instead, which is installed backwards. I know that these (Michelin Pilot Activ front tire in reverse ) are popular, but Michelin puts an arrow on the side of bias-ply tire sidewalls for a reason.

My 2¢

Michelin has also put out a letter recommending the reversal of the tire when put on the front. Says this should be done.

 

[mhgoldwing]

I would suggest your problem is that the front tire is fighting for traction and is actually on the verge of sliding out from under you. I suspect the reason is the fork extensions you put in have raised the front end and lowered the weight on the front tire which it needs to stay planted during a hard curve. Also, if the tire is new you have less rubber on the road until you wear the crown down, increasing the contact patch significantly.

Bottom line, I think your at the traction limit in the hard turns and the tire is about to lose traction.

 

[MDGeorge]

All good thoughts. Thanks.
I have reinstalled the SuperBrace. It was VERY tight.
I have loosened, bounced, and retightened the front wheel.
I have restored the proper inflation to the tires.
Hopefully next week I can take it back to the same road. Its about a 250 mile trip.

 

[msocko3]

All good thoughts. Thanks.
I have reinstalled the SuperBrace. It was VERY tight.
I have loosened, bounced, and retightened the front wheel.
I have restored the proper inflation to the tires.
Hopefully next week I can take it back to the same road. Its about a 250 mile trip.

How well did the front end bounce when you did it, did the forks compress some?

 

[MDGeorge]

Not much.
The new springs don't move a lot, and I am only 170lbs.

 

[0pini0nated]

Michelin has also put out a letter recommending the reversal of the tire when put on the front. Says this should be done.

Hi ~ I just reviewed the Michelin web site (Home | MICHELIN - United States) and couldn't find info on reversing the front tire on a Pilot Activ. I'm ready to replace the front tire on my Lehman Raider. The Dunlop only gave me 5K miles of service, and I'm looking for a different brand / solution. If you have info about Michelin (which I use on one of my SUVs with great success) I'd appreciate a link to it. :wave4:

Thank you in advance.

 

[msocko3]

Not much.
The new springs don't move a lot, and I am only 170lbs.

You'll have to let us know how it is when you get chance to ride that road again.

 

[MDGeorge]

I will if it ever quits raining.

 

[MDGeorge]

So I took the trike to the same road.
98% no problem, however, when I really pushed it, there was a smaller amount of "circle wobble"
If I never push it, it will not happen again. That's not good enough.
I am going to take it to the guy that put the extensions on and have him check the bushings, etc. something is wrong, even if just a little bit.

 

[FRR]

Try riding slower.

 

[msocko3]

Try riding slower.

That doesn't correct the problem.

 

[skuuter]

Keep us posted on this....glad "re-fitting" everything helped some.....ThumbUp