How much can you turn the wheel before you get positive contact

[DSTP]

I apologize if this posting in the wrong location & or the question has been asked before.

I have a 1999 BDM Bulldog with a 5 speed baker, and at low speeds the bike seems to rock back and forth, I checked the primary and it appears to be per manual specifications. I don't hear any slapping noise and clunking either, While the bike was on the stand I placed it into gear and rotated the tire and found that there seemed to be a lot of rotate, of course I didn't record the distance of rotate, but willing to check again providing someone can give me guidance as to where I should take the measurement.

note: the bike shifts well and have had no problems to date, i just hate this low speed creep so much that i usually pull the clutch in so not to be so embarrassing, it is as if i need a lower gear (example: its like an old ford pickup that has a bad ring & pinion gear, but that's usually worn teeth or a broke tooth). I did contact Baker about a 6-speed but clearly don't want to invest in something that will not fix the problem.

Baker asked me this question:
How much can you turn the wheel before you get positive contact

Thank you in advance.

 

[DSTP]

Did you answer their question yet? With it being a 99 how many miles do you have on it?

No i haven't, I just got their reply yesterday and I think the bike has +14k

 

[DSTP]

OK, I will investigate the clutch cable and adjust to be fully free, thanks

 

[Dragonslave]

Does it happen when it is in gear and out of gear? Have you tried it in neutral to see if it still does it?

It may be your wheel bearings. Here is how you can check....

Jack your bike up and tie it down so it is stable. #1. Spin the front tire slowly to make sure it is free. Also, slowly turn it with you hands on the tire or wheel to see if you can feel any resistance. #2. Have a buddy help hold or you can tie you handlebars to one side or the other. Try and move the wheel left or right while the handlebars are secured to one side. If you have any movement in just the wheel portion, or you wheel has problems spinning (feel a catch), you need new front wheel bearings.

To check the rear jack the bike up and secure it. Put the bike in neutral and spin the tire about the same speed as you would be feeling the shake. Closely watch the wheel while this is happening to make sure it is not out of round. If this looks good then try number 1 mentioned above. It is a little difficult to do step #2 on the rear because you have to take the belt / chain off, but you can do it.

Another thing you need to check is your forks and triple tree. Make sure ALL you bolts are good and tight! Any of these bolts lose, can cause the bike to perform in the way you are describing.

 

[DSTP]

is

Does it happen when it is in gear and out of gear? Have you tried it in neutral to see if it still does it?

It may be your wheel bearings. Here is how you can check....

Jack your bike up and tie it down so it is stable. #1. Spin the front tire slowly to make sure it is free. Also, slowly turn it with you hands on the tire or wheel to see if you can feel any resistance. #2. Have a buddy help hold or you can tie you handlebars to one side or the other. Try and move the wheel left or right while the handlebars are secured to one side. If you have any movement in just the wheel portion, or you wheel has problems spinning (feel a catch), you need new front wheel bearings.

To check the rear jack the bike up and secure it. Put the bike in neutral and spin the tire about the same speed as you would be feeling the shake. Closely watch the wheel while this is happening to make sure it is not out of round. If this looks good then try number 1 mentioned above. It is a little difficult to do step #2 on the rear because you have to take the belt / chain off, but you can do it.

Another thing you need to check is your forks and triple tree. Make sure ALL you bolts are good and tight! Any of these bolts lose, can cause the bike to perform in the way you are describing.

Happens when the bike is in gear.

It is possible I need to replace the front wheel bearings sometimes sitting still and turning the fork via handle bar side to side you can feel not always but a slight wiggle looseness like a worn bearing. When the bike is stationary while looking over the handle bars and applying the front brake you can see the tire shifting towards the brake caliper/rotor side. That doesn't seem normal to me! Do you have a part number for the front wheel bearings? On the rear you don't see any movement at all. They do appear to spin true.

I think the wheel bearing is a different problem and needs immediate attention I have to figure out the part number before i strip everything apart. I have a new 13" brake rotor waiting to be attached as the other rotor is still on the bike and may be slightly warped or it could be the bearing causing the rotor to rub in one area. When riding the bike the alignment does drift toward the left. (Caliper/Rotor side)

The fork seals were leaking as well, tried the fork seal cleaning tool, miraculously the oil stop leaking. again I don't believe it is related.

When riding on the road I found no shaking or vibration as one would think to be a tire out of balance or bent.

I will also put on the list to check all bolts.

 

[Mr. Wright]

If your brake caliper is pushing the rotor to on side, that sound like a stuck piston in the caliper. If the outside pistons are stuck, and only the inside ones are working to stop you, it will push the rotor over, not squeeze it.

 

[Mr. Wright]

I apologize if this posting in the wrong location & or the question has been asked before.

I have a 1999 BDM Bulldog with a 5 speed baker, and at low speeds the bike seems to rock back and forth, I checked the primary and it appears to be per manual specifications. I don't hear any slapping noise and clunking either, While the bike was on the stand I placed it into gear and rotated the tire and found that there seemed to be a lot of rotate, of course I didn't record the distance of rotate, but willing to check again providing someone can give me guidance as to where I should take the measurement.

note: the bike shifts well and have had no problems to date, i just hate this low speed creep so much that i usually pull the clutch in so not to be so embarrassing, it is as if i need a lower gear (example: its like an old ford pickup that has a bad ring & pinion gear, but that's usually worn teeth or a broke tooth). I did contact Baker about a 6-speed but clearly don't want to invest in something that will not fix the problem.

Baker asked me this question:
How much can you turn the wheel before you get positive contact

Thank you in advance.

Back to your original question, with mine in 1st gear, the rear tire will turn back and forth about 1 1/2''

 

[Dragonslave]

I would definitely change the front bearings then. I dont have the part number but check http://www.wildsteedworx.com/, Curtis (@KaptinAmerika) should have them. While you have the tire off it would be a good idea to rebuild your forks as well. Curtis should also have a kit on the website to replace the seals. Do a search on the "how to" section and you will find detailed instructions on how to do this.

While you have everything apart take apart the brake caliper and check to see if you have an issue with your front brake. Curtis should also have any parts you need to rebuild your caliper if needed. If you have a warped rotor, replace this as well. Again check with Curtis on these. If he doesnt have what you need, he will tell you where to get it and what part number to use.

Curtis will be your best friend when it comes to maintenance on these bikes. Very knowledgeable and stand up guy!

is

Happens when the bike is in gear.

It is possible I need to replace the front wheel bearings sometimes sitting still and turning the fork via handle bar side to side you can feel not always but a slight wiggle looseness like a worn bearing. When the bike is stationary while looking over the handle bars and applying the front brake you can see the tire shifting towards the brake caliper/rotor side. That doesn't seem normal to me! Do you have a part number for the front wheel bearings? On the rear you don't see any movement at all. They do appear to spin true.

I think the wheel bearing is a different problem and needs immediate attention I have to figure out the part number before i strip everything apart. I have a new 13" brake rotor waiting to be attached as the other rotor is still on the bike and may be slightly warped or it could be the bearing causing the rotor to rub in one area. When riding the bike the alignment does drift toward the left. (Caliper/Rotor side)

The fork seals were leaking as well, tried the fork seal cleaning tool, miraculously the oil stop leaking. again I don't believe it is related.

When riding on the road I found no shaking or vibration as one would think to be a tire out of balance or bent.

I will also put on the list to check all bolts.

 

[Dragonslave]

Back to your original question, with mine in 1st gear, the rear tire will turn back and forth about 1 1/2''

I think this is normal. Mine is the same

 

[chubs]

Slack in the primary? I'm not a bike wrench so just a guess!

 

[DSTP]

I think this is normal. Mine is the same

I'm recalling about the same measurement granted I didn't measure it but I thought it was excessive.

Since I'm feeling this slow creep back and forth motion. like its chugging. or like you are in a high gear but moving slow.

If it where to be the clutch as someone has pointed out, would it mean the clutch is not fully engage and its the slipping and then engaging feeling that could be felt at slow speeds, causing the bike to feel like its jerking to be mislead to think it has something to do with worn gears?

 

[Dragonslave]

I'm recalling about the same measurement granted I didn't measure it but I thought it was excessive.

Since I'm feeling this slow creep back and forth motion. like its chugging. or like you are in a high gear but moving slow.

If it where to be the clutch as someone has pointed out, would it mean the clutch is not fully engage and its the slipping and then engaging feeling that could be felt at slow speeds, causing the bike to feel like its jerking to be mislead to think it has something to do with loose gears?

My bike creeps a little when I pull in the clutch but it is typical for our bikes. Unless you have the clutch hub nut adjusted perfectly (and the margin or error is very slim), you will see a little creep. I apologize, I thought the problem you were having is a vibration / shake at slow speeds. This typically means something is loose in the front end, bad bearing, or tire balance problem.

 

[DSTP]

My bike creeps a little when I pull in the clutch but it is typical for our bikes. Unless you have the clutch hub nut adjusted perfectly (and the margin or error is very slim), you will see a little creep. I apologize, I thought the problem you were having is a vibration / shake at slow speeds. This typically means something is loose in the front end, bad bearing, or tire balance problem.

no problem the bike has other issues needing to be resolved. thanks for the input. But the Bike does not creep when you pull in the clutch.

 

[woodbutcher]

what it sounds like to me is that you are lugging the motor. should not be pulling much under 2000 rpm in any gear. also, check for wear on the drive sprockets, both front and rear. and on the same line, check the drive belt for wear.

 

[DSTP]

what it sounds like to me is that you are lugging the motor. should not be pulling much under 2000 rpm in any gear. also, check for wear on the drive sprockets, both front and rear. and on the same line, check the drive belt for wear.

lugging is a good terminology and if i'm in a high gear at a low speed I can recognize the sound, but i'm in first gear maybe 3-5mph a snails pace I can hear the same sound but less intense. All belt driven, i'm uncertain on how to tell if the belt sprockets are worn.

 

[Dragonslave]

lugging is a good terminology and if i'm in a high gear at a low speed I can recognize the sound, but i'm in first gear maybe 3-5mph a snails pace I can hear the same sound but less intense. All belt driven, i'm uncertain on how to tell if the belt sprockets are worn.

You will need to put the bike in neutral and spin the back tire while it is jacked up. Look for damaged teeth in the sprocket and excessive wear on the belt. Also check to make sure you belt is tight. If your belt is loose, it could cause it to slip as well. Push on your belt and if you have more than 1" of play, you should tighten it up.