Fork rake

[fogrider]

The horrible way this Bombardier steers is possibly the trail being way too much; the fork rake is 26 deg, standard is 30 deg. I thought there were a number of pairs of eccentric rake adjuster cones, but the parts book lists only one. Can someone shed some light on this please ?, it's possible the rake eccentrics are wrong way 'round or wrong way up, ( or something ) , some advice will be welcome before I start taking the steering stem to bits, eg, how many pairs available ?, are they marked in degrees? - any and all comments welcome.....
Regards all
Terry.

[deadgrass.]

not sure about the can am but at general riding speed on any bike if the rake is a bit out [trail + or- 50mm] it wouldn't feel too dangerous until you got up to 60+mph,

I would maybe check head stock bearings,

interesting to hear you can change the rake on the can am though.

dave.

[fogrider]

I agree, but this Can-am is the other way' round - it's very dodgy to ride at 20 to 30 mph, then, as I get it past that and hit 50, the drag on the front tyre seems to ease it. Faster than 50/55 I don't know as it starts to misfire and blow lots of smoke !
I thought buying a low mileage bike would get me on the road with no hassle, looks like another project bike now.
I'm hoping to hear from Paul soon re the head stock eccentrics, I'm sure that's where the trouble lies, the wheelbase is 53+ 3/4" , not 55, so there is definately more trail than standard.
Work in progress......

[mt bandit]

I've got the same thing on my can am , great off road , but on road , she don't like corners , and my forks seam to have a lot of sideways movement, but can't work out why

[fogrider]

I've still been unable to find out all the tech details of the steering head eccentrics, but I'm now thinking that someone might have had the eccentrics and needle rollers out, then put them back reversed, top to bottom. . Going to strip it and have a look next time it's not 2 deg C. Will soon tell with a vernier which way they need to be.

The steering damper seems OK, but am I right assuming it's not adjustable ?

Regards all

[fogrider]

I keep looking into info about Bombardiers and have seen two military documents, one states 30deg, the other 28. It seems that the 19" wheel is 30 and the 21" has 28 ( standard spec ). I have spoken to someone local who has run Bombardiers, experienced bike mechanic/rider and he suggests taking off the steering damper to get the true feel. Good idea. Now removed, I found the damper has very strong resistance, one of the military documents says it's adjustable but I can't see how on the one that was on mine. Better weather next week, will have a run and see what it steers like without the damper. If the horrible weaving remains, he has a selection of eccentrics . Will report back next week.
Regards all...

[Jon P]

According to the manuals if you twist/turn the damper rod one way or the other it changes the resistance. Apparently you have six settings . It doesn't say if you have to remove the damper rod end from the the headstock fixing to allow rotation.

[Jon P]

A couple of other things to look at. Some makes of trials type tyres on the front wheel can be horrendous on the road, wobbling and weaving at anything over 30mph.
These bikes are all getting on a bit, a very good chance your headstock bearings are worn. The Can Am bearings are not tapered and so there is very little ability to adjust out wear. Although the steering on mine felt okay (it was bought as a restoration) the bearings were in a surprisingly poor state

[fogrider]

Thanks Jon, I've got the damper off and there is no way it changes its damping and seemingly no way of doing so. Perhaps there was a cheapo version that did'nt adjust ?
The bike is supposed to have done only 3000 miles, the headstock bearings seem perfect and bear that out, but most of the bike has what seems like a decade of neglect and bodge though.
Have got loads of un-bodging done in the last few days, will be on the road Tuesday and a road test with no damper fitted.
Regards all

[fogrider]

On the road this afternoon, rides and steers a treat without the damper.
Sorted, quite happy not having to look at all the bits in the steering head !

Regards all.