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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: dsgs500f on April 29, 2008, 09:05:46 PM

Title: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: dsgs500f on April 29, 2008, 09:05:46 PM
So, I just bought a 2004 gs500f with 6000k, The bike is in great condition but, it feels like it leans to the left and pulls to the left when braking with the front brake. I called the deal they said it most likley need new seals and fork oi @ $280.00 they can fix it. What do you guys think could be the problem?
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: bucks1605 on April 29, 2008, 09:43:50 PM
I don't know if that's the problem, but I wouldn't pay them $280.00 to do that job.  You can buy the parts you need and do it yourself for around $20. I'm sure some of the guru's will chime in with their thoughts on your problem.
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: ben2go on April 29, 2008, 11:11:44 PM
Could be low fork oil,but you'd have fork oil all over the fork if it's leaking.Could be a loose frond axle bolt.The fork springs are weak.It could have bottomed out and broke a fork spring.The rear wheel could be out of alignment.Been doin wheelies?Bad tire.Low tire pressure.33 front/36 rear solo and 33 front/41 rear 2 up.Could be a bent fork or triple clamp.This is all I can come up with right now.
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: CndnMax on April 29, 2008, 11:47:14 PM
Quote from: ben2go on April 29, 2008, 11:11:44 PM
Could be low fork oil,but you'd have fork oil all over the fork if it's leaking.Could be a loose frond axle bolt.The fork springs are weak.It could have bottomed out and broke a fork spring.The rear wheel could be out of alignment.Been doin wheelies?Bad tire.Low tire pressure.33 front/36 rear solo and 33 front/41 rear 2 up.Could be a bent fork or triple clamp.This is all I can come up with right now.
what about a tweaked fork brace? just loosen up the for bolts that on the fork brace(not the ones holding up the fender) and see if anything moves back.
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on April 30, 2008, 01:01:02 AM
could be out of alignment as well
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: gsJack on April 30, 2008, 06:41:14 AM
Countersteering?  Pull right, go left.
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: ohgood on April 30, 2008, 06:53:36 AM
Quote from: dsgs500f on April 29, 2008, 09:05:46 PM
So, I just bought a 2004 gs500f with 6000k, The bike is in great condition but, it feels like it leans to the left and pulls to the left when braking with the front brake. I called the deal they said it most likley need new seals and fork oi @ $280.00 they can fix it. What do you guys think could be the problem?

they quoted fork seals without even seeing the bike ? find a new dealer if you won't do the work yourself.

does your fork 'tink' or 'TONK' when you apply the front brake heavily ? that would likely mean head bearings, and/or axel.

if your triple is loose or the fork brace loose, it can cause weird stuff.

i'm betting on the head bearings. :)
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: pbureau69 on April 30, 2008, 06:54:55 AM
now I think there has been alot of good answers here, but I have another one to suggest

Question: does it do it ONLY when braking ?

have you checked the pads on the front, if one is worn alot more than other you could have this issue as well, just food for thought.
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: The Buddha on April 30, 2008, 08:14:32 AM
Yea some sheite like alingment or somehting.
The next guess I'd try though is neck bearings or somehting like that.
Fork seals do not make it go one side. They kill the damping and make the bike dive too much and pogo and not behave over bumps ... but not pull one way or another.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: ajaxgs on April 30, 2008, 12:05:56 PM
crown of the road that you were on ????
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: gaspy on April 30, 2008, 04:39:51 PM
Quote from: gsJack on April 30, 2008, 06:41:14 AM
Countersteering?  Pull right, go left.

As a new rider, I can attest to having inadvertently pressured the handlebars while braking, leading my bike to lean or veer to the left or right. are you a new rider? maybe gsJack is right? Hey, if so, there's no shame! I still practice my quick stops, and it took me a while to realize you have to brace more with your knees instead of arms!
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: dsgs500f on April 30, 2008, 06:27:19 PM
While the bike is stop and i am balanced side to side, the bike is hard to turn to the right, if I turn the bike to the left it is really easy, to the point where I lean a little to the left and the handle bars turn to the left. There for when I brake it feels like it pulls to the let. I have to push the left side of the handles bars a lot harded to keep the bike straight. If I use equal force the bike pulls to the left. Hope this helps,
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on April 30, 2008, 08:06:38 PM
your bikes a liberal? ( a sorry attempt at political humour)
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: ohgood on April 30, 2008, 08:15:24 PM
Quote from: dsgs500f on April 30, 2008, 06:27:19 PM
While the bike is stop and i am balanced side to side, the bike is hard to turn to the right, if I turn the bike to the left it is really easy, to the point where I lean a little to the left and the handle bars turn to the left. There for when I brake it feels like it pulls to the let. I have to push the left side of the handles bars a lot harded to keep the bike straight. If I use equal force the bike pulls to the left. Hope this helps,

ok, that's really weird. something is loose, or about to break ? seriousely, get it off the road, and find the cause. when you do, post the cause so we can all learn from it.

< yikes >
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: The Buddha on May 01, 2008, 06:53:00 AM
Cables binding up ??
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: gsJack on May 01, 2008, 07:59:00 AM
First, put the bike on the centerstand and push down on the passenger grab handle to lift front end, very easy to do.  Grab handlebar grip with other hand and turn from side to side to see if it turns freely both ways to full lock or is binding to the right.  If binding to the right find the problem before riding again.  Could be a cable routed wrong like Buddha suggests or something else as simple.
Title: Re: New 2004 gs500f pulls to the left when braking
Post by: GS500F-K8 on May 01, 2008, 08:33:51 AM
Yes, do check for a snagged cable as it maybe routed wrongly and if that is the case you may have inadvertanly over stretched that particular cable in question ?