Bike won't track properly.

[BreezyCricket]

I have a 1982 GS1100G that runs perfectly at highway speed, but at low speed will not hold a straight line. It feels almost like a heavy weight has been added making it really top-heavy, and this weight keeps shifting.

I certainly would appreciate any suggestions as to what I should check to try to resolve this matter. Some I will most probably have already tried, but maybe I overlooked something really simple in my testing.

Many Thanks.

[Tarbash 27]

hows the front end? wheel tight and straight? steering bearings good?

[REDDY]

Just had the same problem on the 550. First I found the front tire was low. Second I found the rear wheel off a small amt. Finally i checked steering and it was too tight. That sucker runs true at all speeds now.

[runewolf]

Finally i checked steering and it was too tight. That sucker runs true at all speeds now.

Steering too tight? Didn't think about that one.... time to borrow the torque wrench again

[renobruce]

Or too loose. My 1150 would wobble at low speeds. The steering nut was loose and I aligned the rear. Goes straight as a string now.

[BreezyCricket]

Thanks to all for the replies.

I will check everything mentioned, but, being a REEAAAL Expert, I should ask, "Can the rear wheel be out of alignment on a shaft drive?"

[crc1214]

For all intensive purposes, no. If the frame or swingarm is bent, or the shocks are set to two different spring preload settings, or if the swingarm bearings or rear wheel bearings are shot - that's the only ways I can think of that the rear wheel on a shafty would be out of whack.

The suggestions that others have listed above will cure what ails you. That 1100G is a big old beast, I'd say a set of Progressive springs might be of some use as well. You might be experiencing some serious front end dive. When the front end is much softer than the rear end, the handling gets real interesting.

[Tom MLC]

I solved a similar handling challenge (along with others) by replacing fork springs and fork oil, and by repacking and properly tightening the steering head bearings. For what its worth, there are lessons to be learned here:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=97264

The been-there-done-that knowledge on this site is pricesless.

[tfb]

I'll put my money on the steering head bearings being too tight. The 'weave' you describe is a classic symptom. It is very easy to overtighten the bearings, and end up putting several tons of load onto them with a less-than-careful tweak of the slotted nut.

So, how should you gauge the correct tension on the bearings? Well there is a different procedure described in every manual I own! But the method I now use, is to do them up pretty tight(!), then back off the nut 1/4 - 1/8 of a turn. Then see how you go... if the weave/ vagueness is still there, they're still too tight. If you can feel a 'click' (freeplay) under brakes, they're too loose. As they say, suck it and see.