I replaced the forks and the lower triple on the GS (after 4 months of waiting for parts and my wife passing), and I think I know what I did wrong, because when I took it apart, the steering stem nut was only finger tight, and when I put it back together I torqued it to the minimum spec. On a ride yesterday, no matter how light I was on the bars, I was always having to give steering inputs through turns. Everything else is fine, so I have come to the conclusion that the steering stem is too tight.
1. What is the torque spec as specified in the Suzuki shop manual (I have the Clymer, it states 29ft-lbs)?
2. Now, I haven't ridden the bike in 4 months, do you think that I need to re-aclimate myself to it (I've been riding 24 years, so maybe I've become too in-tune to the bike)?
3. Any other thoughts?
Steering stem I usually do a tighten till its hand tight with the wrench - yes I have a wrench made for it when I can find it - and back out 1/4 turn.
29 ft lb is massive, what nut are we talking about - fork leg nut, that yes 29 may be fine. The stem locknut needs to be just about tight minus 1/4 turn.
Cool.
Buddha.
RonAyers fiche; steering stem; part no. 10 - steering stem nut - looks like a threaded washer with four notches on the o.d.
http://fiche.ronayers.com/Index.cfm/Module/Main/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/2/Make/Suzuki/YearID/35/Year/1994/ModelID/6446/Model/GS500E/GroupID/268612/Group/STEERING_STEM
Ok, thanks, will back it off immediately.
89-99 Service Manual says:
Tightening Torque: 29-36 lb-ft
Then turn steering stem left and right five or six times to seat bearings and then back off stem nut 1/4-1/2 turn. And then they note adjustment will vary from motorcycle to motorcycle. :icon_lol:
Awesome, thank you!
If you're reusing old bearings, you dont need to get it as tight or back off as much.
Cool.
Buddha.