Q: Hi there guys. I have a 1988 Suzuki GSXR-1100 and thankfully everything is fine in the motor department, so there’s not a question for you there.

But over the past few months the bike has began to develop a strange ‘wandering’ like trait when I start to slow down. It’s not so obvious at high speeds though.

The tyres are all fine and the swing-arm bearings all to seem to be tight as do the wheel bearings and the head bearing isn’t over tight either. So can you please shed any light on this annoying subject because it just seems to be getting worse by the day, and thanks for your time too?

Karl Morton.

A: First of all, I gather that you haven’t a steering damper fitted that has become too tight due to one reason or another?

If not, I would say the problem is still with the head bearings, even though you said that you’ve checked them and they seem to be OK.

Over time they’ll develop a recess or dint in the straightforward position, due to wheelies and/or heavy breaking and the like, and this will certainly produce the steering problem you’ve stated.

So I would take out the forks and front end and replace those. It’s not too hard a job because older bikes are so easy to work on compared to today’s complicated machines and you’ll easily be able to get the parts from a Suzuki dealer as well.

I’m positive that’ll cure your ‘wandering’ Karl.

Q: Hi Bill, I’ve a 2005 Honda CBR600RR that has the basic HRC race harness. I have the appropriate run and (turn-signal/headlight) switch that plugs into the harness, but the strangest thing is that on the turn signal switchgear it has a flash or pass button on the top.

However, if I hold that and press the start button the bike fires up. 

But if I release the flash to pass button the motorcycle will shutdown. If I run the normal OEM harness it fires up fine, so what am I doing wrong?

I can’t seem to find an answer online or from HRC as this is an older motorcycle. I’m trying to run a keyless ignition for track day use only. If you could point me in any direction I would appreciate it.

Rafael

A: This is such a hard one to answer without having the bike in front of me so I can go through the wiring harness and its accompanying connectors.

But, one thing I would check that you haven’t mentioned is the ‘tip- over’ sensor, which is situated behind or around the back of the headlight.

If this isn’t connected correctly to your HRC harness it will cause this sort of problem. So have a look at that before you try anything else. Otherwise it might pay to find an auto electrician who can go through the harness with you?

Q: Hello folks and I was wondering if you could help or direct me to the path of truth regarding differing tyre sizes on a motorbike?

It seems like everyone likes to put an oversize tyre, especially on the rear, on their bike. There’s no doubt that they look the part from behind, unlike myself, but I’d like to know what adverse affect they’ll have if one does so?

So that’s my question here. Is it wise or maybe even stupid to fit a tyre that’s too big, according to the manufacturer, or does it not really matter?

Corbus

A: It does matter, a lot, what tyre size you choose to put on your bike. If you go too big it can greatly affect the stability of a motorcycle because the standard rim size is now too small for a bigger tyre. This will ‘pull’ the tyre into a profile that it’s not designed for, if you understand what I’m saying?

And things will get worse when the tyre becomes worn. An oversize tyre on the rear, when worn in the center, will certainly make the bike weave at high speeds when it becomes ‘square’, which makes the bike feel horrible and even a little intimidating to ride. An oversize front tyre will also make the bike harder to turn and therefore under steer in the process, which can be dangerous if you’re not expecting it to do so. So I’d recommend what the manufacturer recommends, very time.

A good site to visit is www.metzeler.com because they’ll tell you what you need to know for road, race and street applications.

Q: I’ve just bought a bit of a basket case in the form of a 1982 Honda

CB750 four-cylinder. Well it used to have four-cylinders because it now only has three because the number three con-rod is hanging out of the crankcase! But it did only cost me R2,000, which seemed to be a bit of a bargain at the time.

So I’d like to ask if this ‘hole’ is repairable and what possible damage could I also find inside these engine cases when I pull them apart? Or am I just being a fool and shouldn’t have bought it in the first place, which is what my girlfriend said when I unloaded the bike out my van?

One last thing, do you know where I could get spares if I decide to rebuild this particular Honda?

Ian

A: It’s hard to say how to repair the damage you’ve stated without seeing the bike but generally if a con-rod is poking out of the crankcase on this bike the engine is a basket case.

The internal damage could easily be considerable and you’ll possibly need a new crank, which is virtually impossible to find for this bike nowadays. Spares, if you decide to repair, are also hard to find so you’ll have to source breakers yards and the Internet and you can still get some genuine parts from Honda themselves. But it will start to cost you a lot of money if you go that route.

But to be honest I’d try to get your money back and make it someone else’s problem, because your girlfriend for once is correct.