Look Ma no hands... sort of
So I was riding my hawk and I took my hands off the handle bars to adjust my glove and I was struggling to steer this bike with no hands. I used to be able to do this on my CR and all my bicycles but can seem to get this to track where I want without my hands.
Is this because of the Rake or the tires or my skills? Anyone else notice this? |
It could one of a few different causes or the tolerance stack-up of a few issues. Off the top of my bald head:
Rims aren't true, front caliper dragging a bit, steering neck not set up properly, poor quality tires, steering neck isn't true to the frame (that's a long shot), either (or both) rims aren't centered on the axle, etc. Before tearing anything apart, ride the bike slowly on a surface that will tell you what the tires are doing, like a bit of sand or water on the road; there should be only one tire track, not two. Then, put the bike on a stand and check both rims. Do they spin freely? Are they out of round? After those simple tests, you can begin to diagnose. |
Could also be a dragging wheel bearing. You'll discover that when you put it on a stand and spin the wheels. if it is, I'd swap 'em with Japanese bearings.
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It could be many of the things mentioned, but even in perfect working order I have found my Hawk far more trickly to go "hands free" than many of my previous bikes. I chalk some of it up to my own mass in relation to the bikes, and the center of gravity and height of the bike as well. I can make this bike change direction by simply sneezing.
That said, I would like to add a couple of things to the Weldandgrind list. Front fork alignment is slightly out and/or rear wheel alignment is off just a bit. The rear wheel alignment can sometimes make the front feel and behave as if it is out of whack too. That slight off-tracking of one wheel can throw off your sense of balance and direction when you let go. It's a long shot, but very easy to check for and correct. |
Great info. Thank you everyone. Going to check the easy stuff first. Confession to ARH... I haven't yet greased the steering. I have grease zerks ready to go, just need time. Once the white stuff starts flying I will tackle that project.
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Also, it could just not be a very well balanced bike and as MD states, on such a small light bike and our fat asses on them, it's like sitting a bowling ball on a golf tee. Mrs. 2LZ Victory is almost impossible to ride with no hands because all the giant exhaust pipes hang on one side. |
:hmm: Hmmmm...I haven't tried that yet on the Hawk. I'll have to see over the weekend how it works out. I'll have to make sure I do it in front of my mom's house to get the full effect. lol
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I tried t over the weekend. At 55 and down to 35 it wasn't a problem keeping it strait. Now I wish I had cruise control.
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One other but of data. My tires are inflated to 32 psi. Not sure if that matters.
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