Page 1 of 2
MOT failed Steering
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:08 pm
by mrapriliafalco
Can Anyone help as im stumped
The examiner sat on the bike and explained:
when full lock to the right the steering was fine but full lock to the left it was going back to the tank(just)
he said it needed adjusting slightly,but I have no idea how.
the allen bolt stop has no adjustment neither has the clip ons that i can see,and cannot move tank bank
Can you help please.
Re: MOT failed Steering
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:51 pm
by anzacinexile
mrapriliafalco wrote:Can Anyone help as im stumped
The examiner sat on the bike and explained:
when full lock to the right the steering was fine but full lock to the left it was going back to the tank(just)
he said it needed adjusting slightly,but I have no idea how.
the allen bolt stop has no adjustment neither has the clip ons that i can see,and cannot move tank bank
Can you help please.
Not to worry you but are you sure she hasn't been in a prang. If everything is stock there is usually plenty of clearance and the fact its only one stop that's causing the problem leads me to think something is twisted.
However, the stop is a collar bolted to the lower triple so a bigger diameter collar will stop the triple earlier
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:56 pm
by mrapriliafalco
Its Defiantly not been in a prang,it passed last year and the bike has hardly moved this year,I have noticed that when I lift the tank up the 2 brackets are scrapping the head stock as if the tank is slighty to far forward.
Thanks for your reply
Re: MOT failed Steering
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:56 pm
by randomsquid
mrapriliafalco wrote:cannot move tank bank
Move front of tank sideways?
Re: MOT failed Steering
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:00 pm
by mrapriliafalco
randomsquid wrote:mrapriliafalco wrote:cannot move tank bank
Move front of tank sideways?
I will look at that in the morning its only slightly out
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:00 pm
by anzacinexile
mrapriliafalco wrote:when I lift the tank up the 2 brackets are scrapping the head stock as if the tank is slighty to far forward.
Perfectly normal, they all do that
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:12 pm
by blinkey501
anzacinexile wrote:mrapriliafalco wrote:when I lift the tank up the 2 brackets are scrapping the head stock as if the tank is slighty to far forward.
Perfectly normal, they all do that
Yep i can vouch for that!

Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:16 pm
by mrapriliafalco
Are you sure you can move the tank sideways looks like the bracket only allows movement up and down!
I really dont understand as flew though MOT last year
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:22 pm
by randomsquid
mrapriliafalco wrote:Are you sure you can move the tank sideways looks like the bracket only allows movement up and down!
I really dont understand as flew though MOT last year
Only had mine off once but I thought there might be some latitude to sort of lean on it a bit before tightening it down.
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:38 pm
by anzacinexile
mrapriliafalco wrote:Are you sure you can move the tank sideways looks like the bracket only allows movement up and down!
I really dont understand as flew though MOT last year
No, not really. Not enough to give you any clearance anyhow.
If everything is straight then get some bigger collars. At a push, a stack of washers would do
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:47 pm
by mrapriliafalco
What could cause this shift then? the bike has not been dropped or anything else since last MOT
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:51 pm
by anzacinexile
mrapriliafalco wrote:What could cause this shift then? the bike has not been dropped or anything else since last MOT
You could check your tripple clamp bolts are tight, top and bottom. If the tubes move in the tripples it would twist the forks out of line but the only time I've ever seen that is after a prang.
As I said, IF everything is straight..............
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:10 pm
by joecrx
just checked mine ,when my bars are full left the horn button just touches the tank when on right turn the switches are clear from the tank ,
is this a common think ?
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:17 pm
by Falconihlist
Possible that the left side lock may be worn slightly as it is the one that gets the most contact from parking up. Might be worth just loosening it off and spinning it 180 degrees to see if it makes a difference.
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:22 pm
by back_marker
anzacinexile wrote:mrapriliafalco wrote:What could cause this shift then? the bike has not been dropped or anything else since last MOT
You could check your tripple clamp bolts are tight, top and bottom. If the tubes move in the tripples it would twist the forks out of line but the only time I've ever seen that is after a prang.
As I said, IF everything is straight..............
Would seem to be the first place to check to me - quite common on off-road bikes where the bars or front wheel take a hit and twist the forks slightly in the yokes. However, rather than risk overtightening I would release all of the bolts first (if you can support the front of the bike somehow) and then retighten, ensuring that you do not overtighten - not sure of the torque setttings off the top of my head but they usually only around 20 - 30 Nm and often different on top and bottom yokes.
It may also be as well to loosen the nut on top of the top yoke at the same time. Generally if you release everything and retighten it will naturally want to go together straight. if you have removed the front wheel to do this (not essential but makes life so much easier) the axle should be fitted when tightening to ensure that everything is square.