Author Topic: Bouncing front end and a few other problems  (Read 2958 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline 88blkiroc

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Bouncing front end and a few other problems
« on: July 01, 2012, 07:39:26 AM »
Finally got my CB750K4 out on the road wednesday. I have a few problems Im running into and could use some advice on.

1. Starting between 35-40mph and ending around 50mph when at a steady cruise the front end starts to bounce like you're riding down a washboard. It was very pronounced the first day I rode it and I had noticed some fork oil seepage around the seals. Yesterday night I changed out the fork oil. It had ATF in there from the previous owner, I flushed the forks out with some 5w30 and then refilled them with 150cc of 15wt fork oil. I checked the axle retaining nuts on the bottom of the fork legs and got about another 1/2 turn out of each one. Finally the bike has a dual disk conversion and I think the brake drag was too high so I loosened the adjusters until the wheel spun freely without the brakes on. After this work I rode the bike again and it definitely seemed better but the bounce is still there although more intermittent and not as pronounced as before. It was so bad before the work I didn't take the bike over 50 but last night I got up to about 70 and it was smooth at that speed. I have not checked the balance on the front wheel yet but there are weights on it. My next step was going to be trying some of that PJ1 tire balancing stuff. To me it feels like the bounce is in the forks but I'm open to suggestions. I was reading on here in the fork FAQ and the fork fill is 135-140cc with a drain and 155-160cc dry. I read the service manual and it didnt specify just a drain refill level so I split the difference and went with 150cc. The forks were open to drain for about an hour and I cycled them up and down a few times to get everything out. Think I should put another 10cc in there?

2. The bike has a very pronounced rattle in the engine when running. With the bike in neutral and the clutch out its very loud, when you engage the clutch it gets a little better but there is still quite a rattle. I looked around and found the cam chain adjustment procedure and did that. Removed the points cover, put the timing mark in-line with the left side of the spring post by the 1/4 mark, loosened the jam nut and backed the bolt out till it touched the starter cover and the re-tightened it. After the first time of doing that the bike seemed to run much smoother and accelerate better but the noise was still there, maybe a little quieter then  before but very noticeable still. I did the procedure again only this time with the bolt backed out I tapped on the tensioner housing with the plastic end of a screw driver to loosen it up if it was sticking. Still the same results afterwards. I read that you can get a rattle noise in the engine if the carbs arent synced and after changing the spark plugs I suspect they may need some adjustment as the 2 & 3 plugs were a bit darker then 1 and 4 but this sounds like a pretty pronounced mechanical rattle to me. Just FYI I installed new NGK plugs when I adjusted the cam chain the first time Wednesday and I change the oil with Castrol 10w40 motorcycle oil before the engine was started for the first time.

3. The clutch wasn't engaging until the very end of the lever travel so I did a complete clutch adjustment per the manual. Loosened the cable, removed the side cover, loosened the jam nut, turned the screw until resistance and then back 1/4 turn and then adjusted the cable per spec. The clutch now engages where it should in the lever travel but I'm getting slippage especially on the 1-2 shift when getting on it. Pretty sure this means it will need a clutch job but I wanted to check if there is anything else I can adjust first.

4. Just last night while riding the neutral indicator light started coming on while riding in gear. It comes and goes when shifting but its on more often then not now. Possible ground issue or something else? What should I check?


That's about it for now, thanks for any assistance.
74 CB750K slowly turning cafeish
74 CB750K parts bike
70 CT70 Trail 70
07 Yamaha PW50 (kids 1st bike)
Former:
01 Shadow Spirit 1100
88 NX125
68 S90 Dream

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 35,262
  • Central Texas
Re: Bouncing front end and a few other problems
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2012, 07:43:47 AM »
Hi...I also have a K4.

1.  Get your front wheel Balanced. How old is the tire?

2. Have you sync'd the carbs?

3. How long has the bike been sitting?
« Last Edit: July 01, 2012, 08:16:29 AM by Stev-o »
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline 88blkiroc

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Re: Bouncing front end and a few other problems
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2012, 07:51:07 AM »
1. the tire is new last summer according to the previous owner and it looks like it, still has the nipples on it.

2. no

3. Dont know for sure. I got the bike in november but I think the previous owner was riding it last year. It came to me in running condition.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2012, 01:12:07 PM by 88blkiroc »
74 CB750K slowly turning cafeish
74 CB750K parts bike
70 CT70 Trail 70
07 Yamaha PW50 (kids 1st bike)
Former:
01 Shadow Spirit 1100
88 NX125
68 S90 Dream

Offline crazypj

  • I'm brill, me
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,468
  • first 100,000 miles. 1977 CB550F
Re: Bouncing front end and a few other problems
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2012, 08:06:28 AM »
Tyre could have a flat spot from sitting at low pressure?
Try increasing tyre pressure and ride it to get tyres hot the lower pressure.
If it was balance it usually gets worseas speed increases
I fake being smart pretty good
'you can take my word for it or argue until you find out I'm right'

Offline colljoc

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Re: Bouncing front end and a few other problems
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2012, 11:57:08 AM »
Funny to be reading your bounce issue.  I too have that issue on my 77 CB750.  Replaced the fork seals and drained as well, replaced the stem bearings (Friday) and replaced the front tire, professionally mounted and balanced (Yesterday Jun-30) fearing a flat spot with a Dunlop D404 100/90/19, I'm still bouncing as well, not as bad, but good enough to feel it at higher speeds.  I'm going to replace the wheel bearings (Tuesday) and if that doesn't work, I'll check out the back tire or look for cracks in the frame.  I bought it like so and have been figuring her out ever since.  I'll keep you posted on what i find.

Offline seanbarney41

  • not really that much younger than an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 11,209
Re: Bouncing front end and a few other problems
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2012, 09:25:37 PM »
believe it or not, that bouncy front end is often caused by a bound up, mis-adjusted, or worn out drive chain
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Skonnie Boy

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 695
  • Ask for everything, expect nothing.
    • What I do for a "living":
Re: Bouncing front end and a few other problems
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2012, 10:40:53 PM »
Had the same problem last summer.  The wheel was balanced correctly, but the spokes were loose, not adjusted correctly.  Wheel seemed fine until put back on bike, under load.  The bounce appeared around 35-40 mph, went away around 50-55 mph.
Yee and/or Haw.

Offline trueblue

  • A person who has had many interesting experiences, some of which are true, is known as an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,124
Re: Bouncing front end and a few other problems
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2012, 03:20:53 AM »
For your rattle, sync your carbs, you will surprised how quiet it will become.  As for your clutch slip issue, I would consider changing your oil, I had a clutch slip issue on my bike and it turned out to be the oil, I was using a 10w40 semi synthetic, but as soon as I changed it to a 20w50 full mineral oil the clutch slip disappeared.  For your front wheel hop all my thoughts have already been covered.
1979 CB650Z
Nothing can be idiot proofed, the world keeps producing better idiots.
Electronic Guages for your SOHC 4