750 Maxim poor handling

I don't like my bikes handling. It seems unstable at high speed, I wouldn't push it much past 80mph. I also don't push it in corners, it just doesn't feel "sporty" or "connected." Seems almost wobbly.

I did add a handlebar-mounted windshield, which might hurt at highway speeds.

I used to have headshake but new head bearings fixed that.

I have a hard-compound rear tire. To be honest, I need to check the tire and fork air pressures, but I think they're all close. How much does fork air affect handling?

I had a '78 KZ650 last year, and it was much more sporty and fun to ride. I noticed that the forks were "zero-offset" where the axle is straight off the bottom end. This seems common on new bikes. Big factor?

Anyway, I think of my Maxim more as a cruiser than a sportbike, but I don't enjoy riding it and am considering selling off and getting something different. Any suggestions to improve stability?

 

I would examine what affects ride quality. You've elminiated headshake, have the correct air pressure in the forks. Your quality of fork oil, oil weight, and springs will be the places to look next. I would go ahead and rebuild the front forks with Progressive springs and 15 or 20 weight oil with new seals. Then take it out and see if that doesn't help. A good tire wouldn't hurt either on the front since you have the back tire covered. Get someing with a little grip.

 

How many miles on your bike? Has it ever been in an accident? Either way - another thing to check would be the condition of the swing-arm bearings. If loose or out of tolerance, then you could very wel get some instability in your riding.

G'Luck!
Rex S.

 

Ditto on what Shadowhawk said. I replaced my front wheel bearings last year and it made a world of difference. I need to say that I did replace them after rebuilding the forks as Robert mentioned. I went up to 15 weight oil which helped but teh bearing replacement was where I felt the real difference. Even more so than when I replaced the front tire which helped also. New rear tire in on the list before the North Texas Carb Clinic.

 

Ah - Another thing I have encountered.. - Make SURE all of your engine mount bolts are in place and are tight!!!! DAMHIKT!!! IT makes for a VERY SQUIRRELY RIDE when one is missing and others are loose....

Rex S.

 

does it happen when you ride with your bike loaded up like it is in your avatar picture? or is it all the time. Because ill tell ya, all that weight, above and behind the rear wheel will drasticly reduce handling.

 

also front wheel bearing condition would be worth checking.

 

a few more things to check:

Check the tire preasures. These completely change the feeling of the bike.

Check the rear suspension. Anything going on at the back with effect the rear. If they are too soft they'll wallow and the front tire will hunt.

Rear swingarm pivot - if it is dry the rear action will be strange

Head bearings are good - also check the tightness of the head. Particularily where you've had it apart recently it could have loosened.

Front tire if it is mishapen at all will make it uncomfortable

Try the lower Seca bars - the buckhorns are much less sporty.

As mentioned before front wheel bearings, forks and rubber.