twist in air

1

125 rider

Sponsoring Member

Oct 1, 2000

408

1

• Sep 26, 2001

• #1

I've noticed lately when i come off jumps(small), my bike tends to twist in the air. Its scarey because i never know how the landing will be. My first instinct was the back wheel was at an angle but thats not the case. Any ideas?

 

J

jamie456

Member

Jul 26, 2001

5

0

• Sep 26, 2001

• #2

check your supension

Your problem could be related to you rear shock. If you rebound is to fast it can cause this. My 2000 KDX would kick all over the place while going down trails. I did not know this was not me because I had just stared riding. I got my supension rebuilt and setup for my wheight and I could go down trail much faster than before with no ill affects. You should look at the supension form they have a post on setting your supension that should help. Because most bikes come stock with there supensions setup all wrong.

 

K

KC_BigDog_51

Member

Mar 25, 2001

262

0

• Sep 27, 2001

• #3

Sounds like the rebound on your shock is to fast. After it compreses it is rebounding so fast that the rear wheel is kicking of the ground causing your rear end to swing all over the place. Try slowing it down a bit by turning the adjuster on the bottom of your shock counter clockwise a few clicks. Start out gradual till you find a setting that is comfortable.

 

High Lord Gomer

Poked with Sticks

Sep 26, 1999

11,788

35

• Sep 27, 2001

• #4

Originally posted by KC_BigDog_51
Try slowing it down a bit by turning the adjuster on the bottom of your shock counter clockwise a few clicks.

Click to expand...

I believe that if you want to slow down the rebound, you should turn the adjuster clockwise to give it more rebound damping.

(But honestly, BigDog knows more about suspensions than I do, though you would never know it from watching him do somersaults on a 250F! :scream: )

Some things (other than suspension) that can cause the back end to swing on jumps:

• Hitting the jump at an angle
• Still turning when hitting the jump
• Weighting one peg more that the other
• Ruts or bumps in the face of the jump
• Worn swingarm and/or wheel bearings

I had a real problem with that when I realized how bad my swingarm bearings were. If you can move the rear wheel (and swingarm) side to side any, you've got a problem. If you can grab the top of the tire and move it from side to side any, you need to replace the wheel bearings (and seals and spacers).

 

K

KC_BigDog_51

Member

Mar 25, 2001

262

0

• Sep 27, 2001

• #5

You are right High Lord Gomer!!!! You turn the clicker clockwise. Not real sure what I was thinking.

As far as knowing more about suspension than you, YOU ARE RIGHT. Who else do you know that can change a fork seal in the dark? Oh yeah, you were there. Don't let anyone tell you different, you hold one mean flashlight!!

Now, for the somersaults. If you didn't have the whole missing finger thing to hold you back, surely you would have topped the one I had. Remeber, they only gave me like an 8.5 for the quality dismount I had. If that was an 8.5, what would a 10 feel like? I don't think I want to find out, I am still sore as it is.

 

High Lord Gomer

Poked with Sticks

Sep 26, 1999

11,788

35

• Sep 27, 2001

• #6

Originally posted by KC_BigDog_51
You are right High Lord Gomer!!!!
You are right High Lord Gomer!!!!
You are right High Lord Gomer!!!!
You are right High Lord Gomer!!!!
You are right High Lord Gomer!!!!
You are right High Lord Gomer!!!!
You are right High Lord Gomer!!!!

Click to expand...

(I just like seeing that! :confused: )

surely you would have topped the one I had.

Click to expand...

Oh no, I don't crash any more! ;)

 

K

KC_BigDog_51

Member

Mar 25, 2001

262

0

• Sep 28, 2001

• #7

Oh no, I don't crash any more!

Click to expand...

I seem to recall that is why your were not riding at DW '01. Something to do with landing on someone and crashing and the bike clutch or brake lever came down on your finger and you almost lost part of it. Sound familiar?

 

High Lord Gomer

Poked with Sticks

Sep 26, 1999

11,788

35

• Oct 5, 2001

• #8

Thanks for reminding me!!! (There's 14 therapy sessions down the drain...where do I send you the bill?)

 

M

Micahdawg

Member

Feb 2, 2001

503

0

• Oct 5, 2001

• #9

Just to keep thsi alive....

I've noticed this occurance with my RM on occasions. It has mostly been on jumps where there has been a slight bend right or left just before the next jump. Last weekend the track was bending to the right and as I would come off the double my rear would kick out to the right? The only thing I can think of is if I'm overcorrecting when straightening up off the turn. Otherwise shouldn't my rear kick out to the left?

I'm wondering if this could be a suspension problem or not. The bike does dance around quite a bit under hard acceleration, but I just attributed it to my rear sprocket being 3 teeth bigger and having to shift like a madman.

Micah

 

High Lord Gomer

Poked with Sticks

Sep 26, 1999

11,788

35

• Oct 5, 2001

• #10

Is your rear end loose? :scream:

I let the swingarm bearings go so bad on my CR once that when you got on the gas, it would pull the swingwarm to the left. This would point the tire to the right and cause it to go out that way in the air. Are you on the gas for the takeoff of this jump?

If it is consistently going right, you might want to check to make sure that the adjusters really do center the wheel. I've heard of measurements that can be taken to verify this, but I don't know what they are.

If the bike is fine and the jumps is smooth and level, I'd then try purposely weighting the right peg more to see if that corrects it.

 

M

Micahdawg

Member

Feb 2, 2001

503

0

• Oct 5, 2001

• #11

.

On this particular jump I was holding about 1/4 throttle in 4th gear. 50 ft. long, 5 ft. high. It wasn't kicking like this on other doubles, that's why I'm wondering if it's not just technique and not suspension. But when someone above mentioned the dancing around part when accelerating that really hit home. (left, right, left, right)

Micah

 

T

Tom_joad

Member

Oct 4, 2001

9

0

• Oct 5, 2001

• #12

to straighten your wheel in your swing arm, this isnt perfect but you can look down along the chain, from your rear sprocket to the front sprocket and make sure your chain is perfectly straight. If it bends to one side or the other, you know that your wheel is crooked.
On my old bike, after a real nasty crash (landing on someone) my forks were bent, slightly, but bent for sure. And everytime I jumped after that my front wheel would move over in the air, sometimes a good foot or so... so I would bet that your rear wheel is crooked...

 

Y

yardpro

Gone Bye-Bye

Oct 15, 2001

529

0

• Oct 17, 2001

• #13

i used to havethis problem. I realized that i was still weighting either the footpeg or handlebar on one side. made a mental note to square up on the bike as you hit the face. hope this helps

 

K

KTMKyd

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Mar 20, 2001

237

0

• Oct 21, 2001

• #14

What's the deal guys????

Y'all are looking at this ALL wrong, you want to speed up (turn it counter-clockwise) the rebound as far out as it will go, that way, it will look like you're trying to do some of them ultra-cool tailwhips like the Leprechaun :p

 

P

PETROS

Member

Dec 11, 2000

11

0

• Oct 24, 2001

• #15

I tottaly agree with yardpro ! I had exactly the same problem and found out that i was weighting the right footpeg!so before you change your suspension set up ,try what yardpro suggested.