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Longrider1951 · 08-10-2007, 01:35 PM

Took my sons 03 nighthawk for a ride and the front end felt a litttle "loose" to me. At low speeds (30-40 MPH) it seemed to dart with just slight steering inputs. Any way I put it on the center stand and jacked the front end up. Everything seems tight, no play in the steering stem, front axle etc but with the front end turned about 10 degrees to the bikes right the wheel will fall back to the left without any inputs.

I checked for tight cables and things like that and found nothing. Anyone have any thoughts/fixes??

Thanks, Glenn

SmokeU · 08-10-2007, 02:10 PM

What are you used to riding?

Longrider1951 · 08-10-2007, 03:09 PM

Used to ride an 04 Harley Dyna, now I'm riding an 06 VStrom 1000

sachiwilson · 08-10-2007, 03:29 PM

You wouldn't need "tight" cables for a wheel to pull to one side when it's in the air. The cables are still under a bit of tension. It would be insignificant while moving but with a well-lubed steering head, the forks will move. So that doesn't signal a thing to me.

The light steering is probably a characteristic of the bike that you are simply not used to, especially given your experience with a Harley.

Longrider1951 · 08-10-2007, 04:12 PM

You might be right. I have put about 1,500 miles on this bike, but I hadn't riden it in about a month. It just felt a little "squirrelly" this last time. Thanks for the replies.

mscuddy · 08-10-2007, 05:03 PM

A squirrel has taken up residence in your front tyre, causing the screwy steering.

You need a big white bulldog with a badge, or a dumb bear wearing a ballcap to chase it away.

Get it? Squirrel? Screwy? Bear with a hat? TEX AVERY!?

Phillistines....

sachiwilson · 08-10-2007, 05:13 PM

Tex Avery . . . You're showing your age, dear.

By the way, you might like this: ReFrederator

Lots of ancient cartoons available for download. Cool stuff.

Longrider1951 · 08-10-2007, 05:53 PM

Just for comparison I checked the front end on my VStrom. The Vstrom doesn't fall to either side unless you push the wheel that way. I'm really thinking the Honda may need the steering stem torque checked.

mscuddy · 08-10-2007, 07:09 PM

I was thinking more like this....

YouTube - The Cat That Hated People

YouTube - MGM Cartoon: Red Hot Riding Hood

YouTube - Screwball Squirrel Cartoon 2=

YouTube - MGM Cartoon: Bad Luck Blackie=

sachiwilson · 08-10-2007, 07:25 PM

Seen 'em.

Ever seen the Three Little Bops? That's my favorite of all WB 'toons.

08-10-2007, 01:35 PM	#1
Longrider1951 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	750 Nighthawk front end problem Took my sons 03 nighthawk for a ride and the front end felt a litttle "loose" to me. At low speeds (30-40 MPH) it seemed to dart with just slight steering inputs. Any way I put it on the center stand and jacked the front end up. Everything seems tight, no play in the steering stem, front axle etc but with the front end turned about 10 degrees to the bikes right the wheel will fall back to the left without any inputs. I checked for tight cables and things like that and found nothing. Anyone have any thoughts/fixes?? Thanks, Glenn

08-10-2007, 03:29 PM	#4
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	You wouldn't need "tight" cables for a wheel to pull to one side when it's in the air. The cables are still under a bit of tension. It would be insignificant while moving but with a well-lubed steering head, the forks will move. So that doesn't signal a thing to me. The light steering is probably a characteristic of the bike that you are simply not used to, especially given your experience with a Harley. __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"

08-10-2007, 05:03 PM	#6
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,447	A squirrel has taken up residence in your front tyre, causing the screwy steering. You need a big white bulldog with a badge, or a dumb bear wearing a ballcap to chase it away. Get it? Squirrel? Screwy? Bear with a hat? TEX AVERY!? Phillistines.... __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

08-10-2007, 05:13 PM	#7
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	Tex Avery . . . You're showing your age, dear. By the way, you might like this: ReFrederator Lots of ancient cartoons available for download. Cool stuff. __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"

08-10-2007, 07:09 PM	#9
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,447	I was thinking more like this.... YouTube - The Cat That Hated People YouTube - MGM Cartoon: Red Hot Riding Hood YouTube - Screwball Squirrel Cartoon 2= YouTube - MGM Cartoon: Bad Luck Blackie= __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that. Last edited by mscuddy : 08-10-2007 at 07:29 PM.

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08-10-2007, 02:10 PM	#2
SmokeU Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: pet**...pet...pet** Posts: 1,865	What are you used to riding?

08-10-2007, 03:09 PM	#3
Longrider1951 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	Used to ride an 04 Harley Dyna, now I'm riding an 06 VStrom 1000

08-10-2007, 04:12 PM	#5
Longrider1951 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	You might be right. I have put about 1,500 miles on this bike, but I hadn't riden it in about a month. It just felt a little "squirrelly" this last time. Thanks for the replies.

08-10-2007, 05:53 PM	#8
Longrider1951 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	Just for comparison I checked the front end on my VStrom. The Vstrom doesn't fall to either side unless you push the wheel that way. I'm really thinking the Honda may need the steering stem torque checked.

08-10-2007, 07:25 PM	#10
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	Seen 'em. Ever seen the Three Little Bops? That's my favorite of all WB 'toons. __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"