Did I hurt my suspension?

rasta · September 14th, 2013, 06:53 PM

It's hard to explain, but I was riding around today, and at low-parking lot speeds, my rear tire seemed to be acting strange. It wasn't slipping, but it felt like it wanted to.

I know that probably doesn't make any sense, but maybe it was caused by something that happened yesterday. Last night I was downshifting thru the gears, slowing down before a left hand turn. I thought I was shifting from 3rd to 2nd; but turns out I was actually already in 2nd, so I shifted into 1st at a relatively fast speed. Can this screw up my suspension?

Motofool · September 14th, 2013, 07:42 PM

No the suspension, but it could make the shaft slide on the swingarm guides and create some tires' misalignment and maybe chain slack.

Panda · September 14th, 2013, 09:44 PM

Did you check the pressure of the rear tire?

rasta · September 14th, 2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda

Did you check the pressure of the rear tire?

That's the first thing I thought of, so I checked it earlier after I had been riding around for a while. With tires warmed up, the pressure was 33.5 psi

rojoracing53 · September 14th, 2013, 10:45 PM

Your pressure could be a couple psi higher buts that's nothing you'll ever feel. It could just be some newbish gremlins in your head but it's worth checking your rear axle alignment. just check both side to make sure the two lines match up tp the same swingarm marks.

By the way your description of what your feeling totally sucks so it's kinda hard to give a better suggestion.

broken neck · September 15th, 2013, 05:51 AM

Maybe you collected something greasy or slippery on your back tire...

Did it happened again? Was it when you were turning?

rasta · September 15th, 2013, 05:03 PM

So I did the string test for tire alignment, and I'm fairly certain I did it correctly. If I did, it looks like I in fact have some alignment issues.

You can see how cocked the fender is towards the right when the strings are evened out on both sides of the front tire. So in conclusion, I must have knocked off the alignment when overrevved to 1st..?

Alex · September 15th, 2013, 06:17 PM

Overrevving isn't going to affect alignment, unless your axle bolt was incredibly loose, but then it probably would have moved for a variety of other reasons as well. That said, it does look like your rear tire may be out of alignment. That DIY describes how to get things straight, and then make sure to tighten things up and recheck alignment when done.

rasta · September 15th, 2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Overrevving isn't going to affect alignment, unless your axle bolt was incredibly loose, but then it probably would have moved for a variety of other reasons as well. That said, it does look like your rear tire may be out of alignment. That DIY describes how to get things straight, and then make sure to tighten things up and recheck alignment when done.

I wasn't really sure what you meant by "that" DIY, but I searched, and came up with THIS thread.

In the pic below, is the arrow pointing at the threads I'm supposed to count?

It's hard to see, but the swingarm notches aren't quite even. But I've been reading that these notches are inaccurate anyway, rendering them close to pointless??

rasta · September 15th, 2013, 07:11 PM

Wait, that doesn't make sense.

The bolt threads I'm supposed to count is underneath this part....yes?

Motofool · September 15th, 2013, 07:35 PM

That chain is screaming for some fluids !!!

Did you check if some weight of the rear tire is missing?

I never go by those marks or threads, proper alignment should be done comparing one tire to the other.

verboten1 · September 15th, 2013, 07:39 PM

Line up the notches. I bet weird feeling goes away

rasta · September 15th, 2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

That chain is screaming for some fluids !!!

Oh crap really? Well I'll do that this week then. Thanks for the heads up. Btw, how can you tell? I need to know what to look for!

Motofool · September 15th, 2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasta

Oh crap really? Well I'll do that this week then. Thanks for the heads up. Btw, how can you tell? I need to know what to look for!

Oops, sorry, I just edited my previous post.

The O-rings should be covered by some kind of lubricant.................. always.
Otherwise, the links may kink respect to the other and give some weird feeling as well.
I lubricate my chain after every tank fill up.

rasta · September 15th, 2013, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Overrevving isn't going to affect alignment, unless your axle bolt was incredibly loose, but then it probably would have moved for a variety of other reasons as well. That said, it does look like your rear tire may be out of alignment. That DIY describes how to get things straight, and then make sure to tighten things up and recheck alignment when done.

Check that, you must be talking about THIS DUY thread. The pics don't work in it anymore

Alex · September 15th, 2013, 11:19 PM

Scroll down a bit in that thread; all the ones that matter are still there.

Alex · September 15th, 2013, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasta

In the pic below, is the arrow pointing at the threads I'm supposed to count?

Yes.

Somchai · September 16th, 2013, 12:37 AM

This is a good way to measure (picture doesn't show the Ninja).

Jiggles · September 16th, 2013, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasta

I shifted into 1st at a relatively fast speed. Can this screw up my suspension?

Ninjette quote of the month

rasta · September 16th, 2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Ninjette quote of the month

Nah, not really. Just tryna learn the basics

rojoracing53 · September 16th, 2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasta

Nah, not really. Just tryna learn the basics

just accept the honor with pride because you get to be a noob once so treasure it

All in good fun.

rasta · September 16th, 2013, 10:30 AM

I love being a n00b

Chicagobob · September 16th, 2013, 12:10 PM

Check your front tire pressure, too. A low front tire will make the bike feel squirrely, which feels like a slipping rear tire.

September 14th, 2013, 06:53 PM	#1
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	Did I hurt my suspension? It's hard to explain, but I was riding around today, and at low-parking lot speeds, my rear tire seemed to be acting strange. It wasn't slipping, but it felt like it wanted to. I know that probably doesn't make any sense, but maybe it was caused by something that happened yesterday. Last night I was downshifting thru the gears, slowing down before a left hand turn. I thought I was shifting from 3rd to 2nd; but turns out I was actually already in 2nd, so I shifted into 1st at a relatively fast speed. Can this screw up my suspension?

September 14th, 2013, 07:42 PM	#2
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	No the suspension, but it could make the shaft slide on the swingarm guides and create some tires' misalignment and maybe chain slack. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

September 15th, 2013, 06:17 PM	#8
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Overrevving isn't going to affect alignment, unless your axle bolt was incredibly loose, but then it probably would have moved for a variety of other reasons as well. That said, it does look like your rear tire may be out of alignment. That DIY describes how to get things straight, and then make sure to tighten things up and recheck alignment when done. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 15th, 2013, 07:35 PM	#11
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	That chain is screaming for some fluids !!! Did you check if some weight of the rear tire is missing? I never go by those marks or threads, proper alignment should be done comparing one tire to the other. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

September 15th, 2013, 07:39 PM	#12
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	Line up the notches. I bet weird feeling goes away __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

September 14th, 2013, 09:44 PM	#3
Panda not an actual panda Name: dan Location: philadelphia Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250, 2009 CBR600RR (Sold) Posts: A lot.	Did you check the pressure of the rear tire?

September 14th, 2013, 10:45 PM	#5
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	Your pressure could be a couple psi higher buts that's nothing you'll ever feel. It could just be some newbish gremlins in your head but it's worth checking your rear axle alignment. just check both side to make sure the two lines match up tp the same swingarm marks. By the way your description of what your feeling totally sucks so it's kinda hard to give a better suggestion.

September 15th, 2013, 05:51 AM	#6
broken neck ninjette.org guru Name: Thomas Location: Montréal Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Special Edition (sold), 2017 CRF250 Rally Posts: 384	Maybe you collected something greasy or slippery on your back tire... Did it happened again? Was it when you were turning?

September 15th, 2013, 05:03 PM	#7
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	So I did the string test for tire alignment, and I'm fairly certain I did it correctly. If I did, it looks like I in fact have some alignment issues. You can see how cocked the fender is towards the right when the strings are evened out on both sides of the front tire. So in conclusion, I must have knocked off the alignment when overrevved to 1st..?

September 15th, 2013, 07:11 PM	#10
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	Wait, that doesn't make sense. The bolt threads I'm supposed to count is underneath this part....yes?

September 15th, 2013, 11:19 PM	#16
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Scroll down a bit in that thread; all the ones that matter are still there. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 16th, 2013, 10:30 AM	#22
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	I love being a n00b

September 16th, 2013, 12:10 PM	#23
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	Check your front tire pressure, too. A low front tire will make the bike feel squirrely, which feels like a slipping rear tire.

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