Topic: handlebar flop (?)

[beks82]

Hey guys I have a 76 750F, anyhow I originally purchased this bike for my girlfriend but more and more it's becoming my project bike.  So what I was wondering was that this bike has a tendency for the handlebars to shoot to one side or the other when the handlebar is turned past a certain point on each side.  I was wondering if this was due to the stem bearings failing.  I don't really know what the characteristics of a stem bearing failing is, so I thought that maybe this was a potential symptom.  When I had gotten the bike I had not replaced the stem bearings because the handlebars turned pretty well. 
I did lower the forks through the tripletrees by an inch or so because she felt it more comfortable to be a little lower.  So maybe this tendency is occurring due to the change in rake in the front end of the bike?  Really want to fix this issue because once the handlebars are turned all the way in either direction she has major problems straightening them back out.  Any input in this would be much appreciated, much thanks in advance.

[Trav-i]

If I had to guess I'd say the bearings are probably a bit loose.  I would still drop the forks out and check, clean, repack, and adjust the bearings anyway.  It's pretty easy, and being a major safety item it's always worth checking.

Travis