New tire, slight pulling to the left

[norcalwelder]

I put on a Shinko 009 on the front the other day and pulled off over an oz of old stick on weights. Using the axle in the wheel, I found the heavy spot (where the old weights where actually) and put a .25 oz weight opposite it. With the amount of friction the wheel bearing has, thats all it took it keep it from rotating at any spot. However, I have a slight pull to the left that I don't remember being there still. I checked my rear alignment, and its dead on. My triple bearings are fine, so that leaves the tire balance I guess? Anything I'm missing?

 

[Erci]

Unbalanced tire does not make the bike pull to one side or the other. It causes vibration at certain speeds.

Is it possible that your old tire was unevenly worn and you've learned to compensate for it.. and now with new tire you're doing the same compensation which makes the bike pull?

How evident is the pull? Do you feel it with both hands on grips or do you have to take your hands off to feel the bike veer off-course?

 

[greg]

check wheel alignment too, and make sure there's no missing spacers

 

[ChevyFazer]

It's possible you tweaked your forks while putting the wheel back on, it happens fairly easy.

 

[FinalImpact]

Can you paint us a picture of how we should see this? i.e. on flat level ground with no crown and the bars straight ahead the bike goes left?

If that is the case confirm the WHEEL is aligned to the handle bars as Chev mentioned. It is possible to tighten the forks and have the wheel angled ever so slightly.

Place the bike on the center stand and grip the bars evenly and with your shoulders square. Is the tire pointed straight ahead? It'll be hard to see with the fender on but do your best. If you can't tell, dismount making sure the bars didn't move and look at the bike from the front. Sight down the edge of the tire on both sides and see where the very edge tracks to the rear. You should see equal amounts of REAR tire on both side from the squirrels eye view.

 

[norcalwelder]

Well I haven't had a good flat piece of pavement to test on, but I will explain what I see. Running on the freeway, on level pavement, or as close as I can find. While the bike decelerates, it will move several feet over several seconds to the left until I have to correct. I don't notice it until I take both hands off the bars because I hold pressure against the bar with my throttle hand keeping the throttle open I suppose. I will check the fork alignment.

 

[FinalImpact]

Well I haven't had a good flat piece of pavement to test on, but I will explain what I see. Running on the freeway, on level pavement, or as close as I can find. While the bike decelerates, it will move several feet over several seconds to the left until I have to correct. I don't notice it until I take both hands off the bars because I hold pressure against the bar with my throttle hand keeping the throttle open I suppose. I will check the fork alignment.

What's the condition of the rear tire? Is it by chance all squared off at an angle?

This still needs an answer when you can look at it too. . .
Place the bike on the center stand and grip the bars evenly and with your shoulders square. Is the tire pointed straight ahead? It'll be hard to see with the fender on but do your best. If you can't tell, dismount making sure the bars didn't move and look at the bike from the front. Sight down the edge of the tire on both sides and see where the very edge tracks to the rear. You should see equal amounts of REAR tire on both side from the squirrels eye view.

 

[DefyInertia]

The first thing I would do is loosen up the front end (one section at a time) and bounce the bike to ensure the front axle, forks, etc. were not twisted.