Need some advice please gents

Just got back on a bike for the first time in 8 years, need to commute quickly to work, bought a 1999 Fazer 600, 1800 miles, well cared for etc etc....

My last bike was an R1 and before that a ZX6R, when you took your hands of the bars for a stretch etc, the bike ran straight and well balanced at low speed.

BUT this fazer is a little scary....below 40mph, if you take your hands of the bars, it instantly starts slapping, within a few swings it is full violent lock to lock. Never had any bike ever do this before.

Your thoughts ????

Leigh

 

Stop taking your hands of the bars you madman

 

front wheel not balanced properly?

 

i,d check every think, but it could be wheel not balance but check every bolt on the front

 

Oooh i did chuckle at that!

Must be front wheel alignment /tyre issue there mate. Does the brake bind at all???

 

Very True

I may just wheelie everywhere between 30mph and 40mph, that would sort the problem

Bike was serviced 6 weeks ago, I checked everything was tight last night, brakes are good etc. Only thing left is the wheel balance to try.

I wondered it was just a fazer trait

Hopefully get checked at the weekend.

Leigh

 

That was my first thought too

is there a damper on the bike? though my SRAD hasnt got one and doesnt do that, Ive not heard of that on Fazers before but then I would imagine not many Fazer owners would take both hands off at once.
Tank slappers are usually through hitting bumps/ripples in the road nd increased weight on the front together with the bars moving left to right at a certain frequency-its self perpetuating the slower you go the worse the slap gets just like rolling round off the throttle without damping any movement on the bars with your arms. Riding that bike in that state no hands long enough by the sounds of it will end with your face and chest on the ground if you are unlucky.

Opening the throttle removing weight usually sorts it out, it always has with mine and Ive had2xsevere episodes, being on full throttle with gears to go meant I could ride it out though. Maybe your shocks arent damping the small undulations- you may have stiction on the forks? no bar end weights or steering damper if they had one OE? fork rake at the wrong angle ie too much rake like a chopper which you are makinworse by sitting backwards will have the same effect- the front wheel just want to tuck all the time?
Many possible causes and 1 immediate solution for now, ride with at least 1 hand on the controls untill sorted. Let us know what you find

 

I certainly wouldnt ride it until its sorted mate. Not worth the risk as it sounds like somethings out of balance badly to me. You havnt messed around with the forks by any chance have you?

Its certainly not normal anyway, i take both hands of for a strectch all the time (i thought everyone did) and my bike glides along no problem.

 

Certainly not normal behavior for any bike....

is everything straight and in line, wheels, frame, forks etc..

are the wheels true, not buckled in any way ?

what state are the headstock bearings in ??

Are the tyres the correct pressure, in good condition and a matched pair ?

if it was bought from a dealer then I would be straight back there wanting my money back....

 

Dont get hung with the hands of the bars I dont ride round like that!!
The bike was bought private from a retired wealthy bloke who bought the bike new, it had done 1700 miles in 9 years, full history and in immaculate condition.

Only noticed it a few weeks ago when i took my hands off for a flex after coming off the motorway, was a cold day.

Tire pressures are correct and the front forks are non adjustable. Was given a full service when i bought it 2 months ago, no issues with anything except the carbs needing set up.

Leigh

 

So did I

Leigh

 

so do I too but Shhh. I believe iys frowned upon by people on 4x wheels LOL.
Is there a specific owners forum you know of or local dealer you can chat with, its a bit odd that.