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Plumstead, we have a problem....

Submitted by dave_hoad on Thu, 03/10/2013
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Heavy Twins

Giday, I have a supposedly 1968 650SS, which is great fun and going well. Its a fairly standard bike, with standard looking rear shocks, and with one 17 stone rider handles very well, however, recently I had cause to put a lady pillion on the back, I didn't enquire her weight ...., and noticed that I could get It to wallow in corners, mostly if there was a road height change or dip. The wallow wasn't at all bad or unsettling, but I'd not experienced before no matter how hard I've pushed it. This bike is fully registered and ridden a fair bit, so my question is do 650SS's do this if fairly loaded, or am I overloading the rear suspension? I realise there are a few reasons a bike might do this and am more asking is this normal, or do I go looking for faults/ lighter pillions?

Thanks, Dave from Bathurst

Submitted by gordon_johnston on Thu, 03/10/2013

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Many, many years ago I used to race Dominators. On my first ever practice lap with 22 psi and shocks on mid setting itwallowed alarmingly on fast bumpy bends. On 25 psi and shocks on hardest setting it handled as a featherbed should. Bearing in mind that in these days I weighed 10st (and not a lot more now) I suspect that you might just benefit from a load more psis in the back tyre. The Maintenance Manual states 30psi in the back for sustained speeds above 110mph. These days 25psi suits me just fine.

My Modern Motorcycle Maintenence suggests that for an extra 150 lb load on a tyre (a modest pillion) you need an extra 8 psi, so you can work out approx what tyre pressure would suit you and a friend - more than you think!

Submitted by dave_hoad on Fri, 04/10/2013

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Thank you for your replies gentlemen, the lass in question while cuddly is not particually heavy,perhaps a little over 8 stone, I wasn't however, prepared to ask the weight question, as I deemed it not to be in my best interests....As the rear tyre is now flat I am assuming Mr Johnston is on the mark, I did check it that morning too...so picked up a slow leak on the day it seems, should have rechecked. Thanks again,

Dave from Bathurst

 


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