Handling question

Hi everyone,
How important or how much the rear suspension have an effect on the handling of the bike? My bike's handling was very bad and scary when I first got it but I can see big improvement after I correct these two items
1. Front tire was too soft - it is now at 32psi
2. Both front forks collapsed when I put pressure on them - they are now repaired (seals, bearing & oil changed)
The handling is ten times better now but I wish that I could improve it further. Any suggestion?
Thanks!

 

progressive shocks front and back will make a big difference.

 

Along with shocks the wheel and swingarm bearings have a huge impact on bike handling. There is also a spring pre-load adjustment on the rear shocks, what position is yours in?

 

Add steering head bearings to the list above.

 

Wouldn't that be progressive springs? Just asking.

And changing to a different fork oil could change your handling also.

MN

 

Change the rear shocks. If they're original, they were all done about 6K ago.

By all means upgrade the fork springs; under $100 and it makes a huge difference also. Here's an interesting note: the new (Progressive brand) fork springs made a noticeable difference in BRAKING on my 550 Seca. (Rebuilt forks and 15W oil too.)

Check the wheel bearings, front and rear, the swingarm pivot bearings, and the steering head bearings. REPLACE any that are less than wonderful.

 

Suspension tunning covers many parts of the bike as mention above.
Tires will also make a big difference in handling as well as safety.

Ghost

 

32 psi in the front? I'm running the recommended 26 psi in front. Any less or any more adversely affects ride and handling.

 

I guess it goes without saying, but you didn't mention it...low pressure in the rear FEELS like the front doing strange things...but it's not...

 

HOLD ON.

The manufacturer's recommended tire pressures were fine with 1981/82/83 tires.

Not so with new tires. You are running new (less than 6 year old) tires, right?

For new tires, check the TIRE manufacturer's recommendations. For instance, I'm running Avons on my '83 Seca, and their recommended pressure is considerably higher than 1983 OE spec.

 

Yeah speaking of, those ones I put on the 650 were 41 psi tires I believe...

 

X2 - couldnt say it any better. such an amazing improvement!!

 

Thanks everyone for the replies!
It took us (my brother in law & I) more than 3 days (on and off) to rebuild the forks so we will revisit the fork' springs the next time we come around. We experienced quite a bit of problems to take them apart. After rebuilding the forks, the bike's handling and ride are actually fairly good, stable going straight but the turns are still a little scary. This is where I need to improve because I feel that something was still not up to specs. Head bearing checks out ok, swing arms ok, back tire pressure was 30-32 psi. I have no idea how old the tires were but they look very new with no dry crack so the last thing that could be wrong was the rear shocks & springs (hence my question). I believe that they are still the originals. As suggested, I am ordering a new pair of progressive 412 so we will see if they help. Thanks again

 

Your symptom sounds very head-bearing related. They may be good, but they may be loose. Either way, an upgrade to a roller bearings is a significant (and relatively inexpensive) improvement (if your '82 650 has ball bearings; I don't know).

You also need to check the date code on the tires, and replace them if they are older than, say, five years -- even with no cracks. You're only on two tires, after all. Not only that, you may notice your handling issue go away simply with new tires.

 

SecaM,
Thanks for the suggestion. Head bearing will be my next fix then. I just cannot believe that it is bad/worn because I did not see any play or looseness when I check it (with bike on center stand & front wheel off the ground). Everything was firm and tight. I did notice a very slight stop/hold when the front wheel is straight up (0 degree) with the bike. Is this normal? Where can I buy this "upgraded" head roll bearing and why is it better than oem?
For now and one step at a time, I will see if the new progressive shocks & springs will help.

 

Common, yes. Normal, NO.

The steering bearings are damaged and they will cause handling trouble. Replace them ASAP - you don't want them to cause catastrophic head shake.

BTW, you don't disassemble the forks to replace springs - can be done on the bike.

 

XJ4ever has springs and head bearings