front end dancing

[kevin c.]

I have just bought a kdx220r (great bike) the front end dances on me at average speeds on dirt roads. any ideas why or suggestions? thanks Kevin

 

[limitless]

buy new springs (stock springs are very unbalanced) get the suspension revalved for your weight

check out the justkdx site for more info.

 

[Randy K]

My '94 started to do that when I cut down the handlebars to 29.5 inches. Other than that, make sure the air pressure is good and that all of your triple tree bolts are tight.

 

[limitless]

ohh and adjust your clickers maybe?

 

[fast 200]

steering damper will help out a lot at high speeds thay are very nice but expensive.... but well worth the money

 

[davidg]

I second the steering dampner, it's not just for high speeds though. It gives me more confidence in my front end, especially riding through the rocks.

 

[Jaybird]

If your forks are too high in the clamps it can cause head shake. Lowering them may stablize things.
Also, you may want to check and make sure you have your steering stem nut tightened to spec. Lots of times folks will have them too loose and this can cause shake as well.
I would take the stem assembly apart and check out the bearings. Make sure they are in good shape. Great time to grease them up nicely as well. Use a good wheel bearing grease, or at least a #2.

 

[CaptainObvious]

I'd check the oil in the forks. Just a few cc's off will cause the effect you are describing.

 

[canyncarvr]

'Dance' meaning headshake?

Not uncommon, especially in bikes with steep head ºs as the kdx has.

My riding buddy's '00/200 did it on a regular basis. Mine never has. He resolved his headshake trouble with a pumpkin!

re (steering stem): 'tighten to spec.' Don't gloss over the SPEC part. If you tighten it to what seems reasonable for a thread of that size disregarding the fact that it's a tapered roller bearing, THE ASSEMBLY WILL FAIL..and the handling of it before it DOES fail will stink!

 

[mule]

Re: steering stem nut.
canyoncarver--- you say something about "if you tighten it as much as you think it needs... it will fail" Are you saying that people usually overtigthen, or undertighten it???

mule.

PS you ever get out to Prospect ORV area?

PSS nice to "talk" with you again!

 

[canyncarvr]

overtighten.

re: prospect

Yep..all of the 3 big weeks it was open this year!! Camped at union creek for a week. Rode a bunch!

I wrote to 'ya a few times..at least once about going to prospect. Didn't hear back from you at all, so figgered our last outting kind'a soured you on our 'style' of riding.

Remember that big tree across the trail going up kane creek. You said, '..this isn't exactly what I had in mind' at the time. Anyway, we cut that out just a few weeks ago. Then rolled the whole thing right smack in the way agin...but that's another story.

Going riding (prolly) this saturday. If it's not raining TOO much. Interested? Let me know.

 

[Jackpiner57]

Kevin c. I have had a problem with the front tire bouncing up and down on paved roads. I checked the wheel/tire assy for out of roundness(a highly untechnical term for some kind of runout) and it is OK.

Is this the same kind of "dancing" you are referring to? Or is yours a side to side wobble?

 

[Kawierider]

Id check to make sure that any access air pressure is bled off of the forks. Check the fluid level as well. If the tire is leaving the pavement i would adjsut your rebound clicker to try and even it out. Softer springs may be the way to go but check to make sure everything is working properly or the tire will jsut bounce everywhere if it is too far out of wack.
tim

 

[kevin c.]

the front end does a side to side type of motion, kinda un-nerving.
thanks for the replys. Kevin

 

[CaptainObvious]

Side to side makes me think front wheel bearings or spokes. To check the bearings get the bike on a stand, grab the top of the wheel and see if there is side to side movement. If so you have bearing problems. If all is good you can check the spokes by spinning the wheel. If there is back and forth movement while the wheel is spinning you've got to adjust your spokes.

 

[canyncarvr]

'side to side' could be a description of headshake.

Have to ask...kevin....you know what headshake is, right? It's 'side to side' in that the handlebars move left to right in an increasingly oscillating manner.

THAT'LL get your nerves in a knot pretty quick.

 

[Jaybird]

It'll tighten ya right up!