Marauder VZ800 Experience Needed - SOS

S

SheWhoWatches

New member
Hello All,

I am brand new to this site... It is nice to be part of the forums.

My first bike was a 2003 Vulcan Classic 800 that I had to sell when I separated early last year! :-(

Just picked up my second bike today and rode it home 150kms in 4c weather;
A used 1999 Marauder VZ800 with 15,000kms on it. :-)
... got cold hands, but well worth it!!!

Got it home and stripped it down... cool looking bike.

Most of the trip home was highway and all was fine, but when I hit my city I realized something funny with the steering... at lower speeds it is harder to control; like fighting to keep it centered.

At first I thought that the front tire must be over or under inflated, but that checked out. After doing some searching on the web, my layman logic believes that my upper and/or lower steering column bearings must need a good cleaning and a lube (?).

So I am looking for any insight, comments, experiences from you on what you think.

Thank you for your responses... ride safely!!!

Allan
 
Just a wild guess here.........
Does it take a lot of EFFORT to hold a straight line or just a lot of ATTENTION ??

If it is actual effort, that is bar pushing or abnormal leaning, then there might be a problem with the triple tree or alignment (even rear).......and if the bars are hard to turn, then that certainly requires some attention.

OTOH, if you just find that it will drift on you if you don't pay ATTENTION, then.........have you ever ridden a bike with a really WIDE front tire like this one has ??

I found that transition from a skinny front to a wide one to be a little un-nerving because it was so much different; took a while to get used to the new characteristics. I found that with the wide tire, tiny (even unconscioius) movements made it move more than I was used to. It is possible that the tire width wasn't the only geometry difference too.

So my wild guess is: There might not be anything to "fix"; it might just be different.
 
Hi,

I used to ride a Vulcan Classic with a wide front tire... so it is not because I am not used to this (I have also riden an M50 and test drove an M109R with no issues) and not a question of attention (unless my experimentation with drugs in my teen years has caught up to me LOL).

The bars seem easy enough to turn at a standstill and control is OK at high speeds (since no actual bar turning is required to steer)... but, from a a standstill to city speeds it is like I have to correct one way and recorrect the other... almost like I can't hold a perfect center with slight, unconcious corrections.

I am still leaning toward dried up steering column bearings... I am scheduled to bring it into the shop next Tuesday and will follow up as to what the certified techs diagnose as the problem.

Open to any other comments... thanks for the reply!!!

Allan :-)
 
15000 kms is pretty early for the steering head bearings to be shot, but it is possible. But I'd quess bad wheel bearings, the rear wheel being out of alignment, front forks being out of alignment, or even a leaking fork are far more likely.
 
Thanks DrBob.

I am just hoping that it is nothing TOO major of a job... will find out next week.

Ahhh... the pleasures of learning by experience in buying a used and older bike.

It is in GREAT shape for a 10 year old bike... took off all of the original stickers and Marauder tank emblems... all it needs now is the service and repair, a thorough washing, chrome polishing, paint compound and wax... followed by the enjoyment of finding myself on the road again!!! :-)

Many thanks!!!
 
If they were over tightened, they will make little divots in the steering head. So the bearings will want to stay in them and when you do turn it, they will fall into the next divot. So, you end up making a series of corrections and over steering. If they were over tightened it would only take about 5k miles to do the damage.

One way you can tell is to raise the front end, grab the forks, and turn them from lock to lock. If it is not smooth or you feel it getting easier and harder as you go, then there is something wrong.
 
OK... so the guys at a reputed Suzuki dealer/shop tuned my bike.

I was told that my stearing column was simply too tight!!!

I pick it up tomorrow and will see if they actually fixed my issue.

Regards and safe riding!!!
 
OK... picked up the bike and after riding a few days, realised the problem was still there.

Just went back today. They loosened a tad more and the problem is fixed.

Handles great now... Case closed!
 
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