finally got me a 450.. couple steering questions?

[J.J.]

well my dad traded his old car for an 05 450 today and i traded him my 07 400 for it.. the 450 has a decent amount of aftermarket on it such as ishocks, beadlocks, exhaust etc... it also has a gibson steering stem with gibson steering dampner..

now my problem is, when i take off wide open, the steering is ALL OVER the place.. all the ball joints are good and stuff, so i'm thinkin its the dampner.. i adjusted it all the way out to loose and it was a little better but not great.. should i ditch the dampner all together or how do i tweak it so the steering stays put when i'm riding?

[ss440ex]

Are the front wheels toed out maybe?

[J.J.]

no everything is aligned perfect.. the dude had about 5000 pounds of air in each tire but i dropped those down and its still pullin.. its not just one way either its back and forth through all the gears..

i'm thinkin its the dampner but i dont know for sure.. once i get this bug worked out i'll be insanely excited.. this bike is so fast compared to my 400

[Scro]

Are the arms caster adjustable?

[Jersey450R]

Originally posted by Scro
Are the arms caster adjustable?

if there're the ST arms they arent

[fastredrider44]

The damper should actually help keep the wheels straight, so I think you have a problem elsewhere.

[J.J.]

they're stock arms.. i don't know if there are any adjustments.. i just got into the sport back in may on my new 400 but am upgrading to the 450 and hopin to learn some more..

here are some pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2457.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2458.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2459.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2460.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2461.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2462.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2465.jpg

total investment in this bike is 2300 bucks

oh and btw... ride red! we're addin one more to the fleet tomorrow too.. another 05 yellow 400

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2465.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/pewter00/IMG_2456.jpg

[Jersey450R]

its bumpsteer. when your on the gas and the front shocks are all the way up(extended), your wheels are going to be toed out to their furthest point natrually(without adjusting your tierods). only advice i can give you is go in another 1/8 in on your tie-rods toeing them in more.

got me?

it could possibly affect your slow speed cornering more though. just play with your toe. i noticed more bumpsteer on the 450R than i did with the 400's.

hope this helps.

[coryatver]

dampeners actually hold the steering straight. Check the Toe in. Also the front wheels look like they are really offset out. That will give a lot more bump steer

[J.J.]

from the pic i posted does the damper look installed right?

everything seems good, i just hope i can get this figured out

[07black400ex]

What brand rear bumper is that? IMS???