Got my Triumph street triple back on Thursday from the garage with a new chain fitted :D;) However, the steering now feels a bit loose and a little unstable. Not massively so, I can still ride the bike, just feels less stable than normal. Not sure if it’s the wheel bearings, the alignment, the front forks, or if it’s just that I haven’t ridden for about 6 weeks, being in Afghanistan, and now I’m back I’ve forgotten how to steer properly :). It felt a little loose when I rode it back home from the garage, then, unfortunately I hit a large pot hole on the A23 in the fog the next day - which seemed to put it out a bit more.
I don’t think it’s the tyre pressure, as when I was out of the country recently, Jacob used the bike and apparently the steering / tyre pressure was fine then. The first time I rode it was when I collected it from the garage after a new chain was fitted. It was then that I noticed the steering was a bit unstable. Could be just me not having ridden it for 6 weeks, but I had a similar problem once with the Hornet and it was the forks.
Forks seem okay to me, so not sure what it could be - bearings? Suspension? Will see if anyone has any ideas on here first before taking it to the garage.
No one has mentioned steering bearings?They are the bearings just under the handlebars.
It’s not uncommon for pot holes and wheelies to cause them to die.They are responsible for the smooth left and right turning of the handlebars.
you can easily check if bearings are a prob, hold middle of handlebars with 1 hand and front wheel with other, pull front wheel whilst pushing on the bars if seem to move then bearings are the culprit, works if wheel is on or off the ground but better off.
if loose steering then if was tyre pressure i would have thought maybe too much air in tyre.
got a steering damper on it? just wondered if any1 has changed the setting?
All of the above plus it could be a lot of things but check the easy ones first like tyre pressures and their condition and while you’re there check your rear too (tyre):P.
It’s worth having a visual inspection around the front end for damage or oil leaks from the forks and if you have any tools check that there is nothing loose.
Thanks folks for your very useful suggestions and tips. I have just now written them all down in a list and will check tomorrow morning before riding to work (or not, as the case may be!!).
Tyre pressure has been mentioned a lot so that seems like the first place to start (cheers Shiver and Emsee :)), then checking bearings and forks.
Thanks also Choprocker for the tip about how to check the bearings, that’s really handy - didn’t know that - and will look into it tomorrow. Plus Duncmac re braking, B re fork check etc and Premises for the good pic of the steering bearings. Since it got worse after I hit that pothole, could be the issue.
They are responsible for the smooth left and right turning of the handlebars.