2012 Roadster Handling

[Bunny Burrell]

It probably is a Harley set. The bolts holding them needed a 19mm metric socket - the problem was there was not enough room between the bolt head and other "stuff" to get the socket around the bolt. I had to get my pipe wrench on the riser itself to get the whole thing spinning, then jam my biggest flathead screwdriver between a bolt face and the yoke, then graunch it off. The OEM riser nut needed a 14mm socket, which fits easily. I didn't use a sleeve, just evened the position then torqued it up to PFT, seems to be working.

Like I said earlier but after a much longer test ride, the odd handling is still there, but manageable. I suspect Journeyman's right about the uneven wear and the next step will be to arrange a 2nd mortgage and change the tyres.

JHortz - let us know how you get on with yours?

I’ll be having my forks out this winter, the bikes 16 years old and I’m pretty sure the oils not been changed, so new oil and seals this winter. I’ll be changing the four bolts that hold the two half’s of the calipers together, the plain steel bolts definitely looking daggy, so stainless or titanium going in. Might fit some Progressive fork springs as well, but unsure yet.

 

[Heidhurtin]

I’ll be having my forks out this winter, the bikes 16 years old and I’m pretty sure the oils not been changed, so new oil and seals this winter. I’ll be changing the four bolts that hold the two half’s of the calipers together, the plain steel bolts definitely looking daggy, so stainless or titanium going in. Might fit some Progressive fork springs as well, but unsure yet.

Always seems odd - winter is in-season here. I ride all year round, but most park their bikes up in the summer. I also don't have a workshop, so anything I do is outside in the heat and for obvious reasons I don't faff around with anything requiring cleanliness, precision or vital machinery fluids.......

 

[r3badboy]

Don't know if anyone mentioned changing the front tyer to a 140 from the 150. Trust me it's a game changer in terms of handling, you will wounder why they ever fitted the 150

 

[Bunny Burrell]

Always seems odd - winter is in-season here. I ride all year round, but most park their bikes up in the summer. I also don't have a workshop, so anything I do is outside in the heat and for obvious reasons I don't faff around with anything requiring cleanliness, precision or vital machinery fluids.......

At 68, the joints don’t do cold days anymore, U.K. after December is mainly very cold and wet. Come January February and early March, far too much ice and some snow around.
I lived in Queensland Australia, and an awful lot of Bikers don’t ride in the Summer there. For Queenslanders winter is riding season.

 

[Heidhurtin]

Don't know if anyone mentioned changing the front tyer to a 140 from the 150. Trust me it's a game changer in terms of handling, you will wounder why they ever fitted the 150

TBH I don't ride that aggressively these days, all I need is predictable neutral handling, but I will be asking for advice when I come to change these tyres. Probably opening a whole new can of worms.........

 

[Heidhurtin]

At 68, the joints don’t do cold days anymore, U.K. after December is mainly very cold and wet. Come January February and early March, far too much ice and some snow around.
I lived in Queensland Australia, and an awful lot of Bikers don’t ride in the Summer there. For Queenslanders winter is riding season.

I'm a Jock, but my last 2 tours were Belize (2 years) and Brunei (4 years). Since I demobbed I've spent my entire life between Florida and UAE. After more than 20 years living in warm places, there's NO WAY I'm going back to wet & cold - blood's way too thin for that kinda nonsense.

 

[Tripps]

I miss winter riding. ( and swimming )

 

[Bunny Burrell]

TBH I don't ride that aggressively these days, all I need is predictable neutral handling, but I will be asking for advice when I come to change these tyres. Probably opening a whole new can of worms.........

A 140 tyre might suit your needs, mainly because you’ll not be having to over come that fatter tyre, but with matching tyres you’ll still get the grip.

I'm a Jock, but my last 2 tours were Belize (2 years) and Brunei (4 years). Since I demobbed I've spent my entire life between Florida and UAE. After more than 20 years living in warm places, there's NO WAY I'm going back to wet & cold - blood's way too thin for that kinda nonsense.

Well that’s a first for me! Calling a Jock Squaddie a fcuking woose!

 

[Heidhurtin]

A 140 tyre might suit your needs, mainly because you’ll not be having to over come that fatter tyre, but with matching tyres you’ll still get the grip.

Well that’s a first for me! Calling a Jock Squaddie a fcuking woose!

You guys never did jungly type stuff. Mind you, tankys always had working BV'S....... "Any fool can rough it" is the main transferable skill I brought to civvy street.

 

[Heidhurtin]

I miss winter riding. ( and swimming )

Now that scares the crap out of me, all that ice not in my glass, not surprised you need an extra wheel!