Sloppy steering

[Louwai]

On Tuesday the Head Stem bearings were replaced & the steering damper bled, along with new fork seals, during a std service.
Riding since then I find that the steering is much more loose than it was. eg. when the front comes up the steering tends to flop easily side to side, where as before with the front up it was not floppy but also not stiff.
I don't really know but I'm assuming that this could be caused by the damper acting less than it did previously.
Could this be the case???
Would bleeding it cause it to loose it's effect?? & if so what can be done to rectify it??

Also, The bike has always had a "loose faring" type rattle / sound coming from the front whenever I ride over a bump etc in the road. Have checked all covers, clips & screws but all are tight. Now since the service the rattle / sound is more often & more pronounced.

Any ideas???????

[pan]

Steering loose could be a thinner oil in the damper. Not sure about the knocking noise though!

[maggot]

check your screen, they can make a rattling sound even when everything is properly fastened. a bit of tape around the lip where it sits into the nosecone usually seems to stop this (well it did on mine and im sure a couple of other blokes have done this too)

[bear]

Sounds like they may have bled the oil out and forgot to put any back in!

[Louwai]

Sounds like they may have bled the oil out and forgot to put any back in!

How good are the std dampers??? They guy who serviced the bike reckons the std one is not overly great, but he also said he didn't think it's worth changing cause it's too expensive.

Any comments???????

I'll check the screen Maggot, thanks. Could be it......

Steering; On Friday morn going to work I sat up & let go of the bars. Usualy when I do this the bike sits nice & straight with no issues. Friday, as soon as I let go it started to wobble side to side.
Spoke to the service guy. He reckons the old head bearing was notched & that possibly could have been keeping it in the centre previously.
I'm a little screptical at that because if it was that notchy I think I would have felt it in the steering.

[BUSGO]

Your service guy is an absolute pillock..
Don't go there again if he reckons a busa goes in a straight line because it has a damaged head bearing.

They are the most stable bike in a straight line that there is.

I think that he may have bled the oil out of the damper and not replaced it.
That is what I think.
He may also have not tightened the head bearing to the correct torque as well from what you are saying.
Go to Balls or Pete's Pitstop and get it fixed.
You don't need an aftermarket damper the OEM one is great when properly working.

[BLACKZOOK]

String line the wheels something there aint straight.

[Louwai]

String line the wheels something there aint straight.

The work was done last Tuesday. Since then it just doesn't feel right.
The guy reckons he slightly overtightened the head bearing so that I wouldn't need to come back to get it re-tightened.

Same shop did the last service & it was outstanding. This guy is also the only one I've found that provides a loaner bike while mine's being worked on. That was a big thing for me cause the bike is my only transport. When I don't have it I'm f****d.
I originally contacted Pete's PS before I used this guy, but they would not provide a loaner.

[BUSGO]

He may be convenient but obviously something is not as it should be.

[Louwai]

He may be convenient but obviously something is not as it should be.

Yeah. I must admit, last service he recommended new chain & sprockets. The bike had only done 12000klm since last change so I thought that was a bit strange.
Now this service new head bearings.
I'm no expert so I take the advice.

if we were talking cars, no problem, but I'm blonde when it comes to bikes.

[maggot]

Louwai mate, which workshop did you use?

[Ruffy]

He may be convenient but obviously something is not as it should be.

Yeah. I must admit, last service he recommended new chain & sprockets. The bike had only done 12000klm since last change so I thought that was a bit strange.
Now this service new head bearings.
I'm no expert so I take the advice.

if we were talking cars, no problem, but I'm blonde when it comes to bikes.

It's a tough one but you have to find a good mechanic that you can trust, on any bike but the Busa especially you cant afford to have anything amiss when you are ON IT.
I pay a little more i know for the work thats done on mine, but its worth it to know that there has been no shortcuts taken which is important.

On my last bike, a Suzuki Bandit 1200 i took it for a service to a big dealer in Sydney City - charged me a fortune when i got home i ran a spanner over the important bits to find the 4 lower steering clamp bolt were finger tight - could have been deadly on a quick two up ride through the twisties

Take your Busa to either Pete's PS or Ron Balls, it will be worth the inconvenience for sure and give you peace of mind too

Cheers Ruffy

[Louwai]

Louwai mate, which workshop did you use?

Last 2 services have been done at Dynoverks.

[Tone165]

Your service guy is an absolute pillock..
Don't go there again if he reckons a busa goes in a straight line because it has a damaged head bearing.

They are the most stable bike in a straight line that there is.

I think that he may have bled the oil out of the damper and not replaced it.
That is what I think.
He may also have not tightened the head bearing to the correct torque as well from what you are saying.
Go to Balls or Pete's Pitstop and get it fixed.
You don't need an aftermarket damper the OEM one is great when properly working.

Iagree with Busgo, sounds like your "mechanic" is full o shyte.

At least take it to the guys who list has reccommended for a decent diagnosis, and to get the work checked.

[maggot]

in vic Dynoverks ARE listed as recomended, which is whats worrying. i take all my bikes there and have never had a problem but like anywhere they could've let their standards slip... I'll be going down to speak to Dean on monday.