transmission or clutch binding -heavy steering

[gregarious]

I have a 2006, with 7600 miles on it. Rode it yesterday with no problems. Today, I took it off the center stand, and as I pushed it back out of my garage, it had significant resistance, like the clutch is dragging. I took it slowly down the block, and it steers really heavy, like something is binding. Does anyone have any ideas what is going on? It's very bizarre. No diagnostic code coming up. I am at a loss.

I changed my tires about 700 miles ago, maybe I've over torqued everything. It seems to me that it would have shown up right away though?

HELP!!

 

[kaitsdad]

The first thing I'd check is tire pressure. Sounds a lot like your front tire is very low. Perhaps a slow leak from your ride yesterday?

 

[gregarious]

Nope- air pressure is fine.

 

[gregarious]

cancel that> I found the problem. The rear tire has virtually no air in it. Havent found the cause yet, but I'm happy that it isn't anything major. Just a PITA!

 

[FJRBluesman]

The first thing I'd check is tire pressure. Sounds a lot like your front tire is very low. Perhaps a slow leak from your ride yesterday?

DING-DING-DING!!! Katisdad is the winner!!! :yahoo:

Glad you found it. That can be dangerous cruising with low pressure.

I would say the tire had a catastrophic failure (large nail etc, then maybe exited the tire leaving a huge hole) as far as loosing air that quickly. If it were a slow leak, you'd feel it over time as it got lower in pressure, the rear end would tend to feel and want to wash out. You said it road just fine the day before then it had it's problems the next day, you probably have a big hole in your tire. Take the rear off, fill with air, and put it in a tub (only the tire portion and part of the rim) and look for the leak if it's not that obvious. I use our bath tub, it's the only thing deep enough and large enough for the tire. The drag is it leaves a nice dirt ring that I have scrub off.

Good luck.

 

[Old Michael]

New tire? Could it possibly be that the bead is leaking a good bit, perhaps not seated properly, rather than a puncture? A sopping soapy rag with the wheel still on the bike? ( Hell, I can't believe I'm offering advice now. :blink: I'm gonna go make some toast and marmalade.)

 

[FJRBluesman]

New tire? Could it possibly be that the bead is leaking a good bit, perhaps not seated properly, rather than a puncture? A sopping soapy rag with the wheel still on the bike? ( Hell, I can't believe I'm offering advice now. :blink: I'm gonna go make some toast and marmalade.)

Make sure to drink your herbal tea....

 

[gregarious]

that's a good thought. I'll try the soapy water trick. Can't find any puncture or hole anywhere on the tire. Thanks for all the help!

 

[kaitsdad]

that's a good thought. I'll try the soapy water trick. Can't find any puncture or hole anywhere on the tire. Thanks for all the help!

If you can't locate the leak in this manner, you'll have to dismount the tire and examine the interior. If it should start to hold air and you haven't fixed anything, PLEASE do not ride the bike until you have figured out exactly what the problem is. I know from personal experience that this can hurt. :blink:

Be thankful that you discovered it in your garage, instead of the fast lane of the freeway.

 

[madmike2]

Yes....determine what the exact cause is.

Try soapy water around the bead and don't forget to check the schraeder valve in the filler stem.

 

[JamesK]

It could be the valve stem/valve that's failed, i've seen that problem before...pump it up and squirt some soapy water on and around the valve area.

 

[gregarious]

Update:

I finally got a chance to check it again. It is leaking out the top of the valve stem. So, I assume if I get a valve tightener tool at Pep Boys, it should fix it. Thanks to everyone who gave opinions, feel free to dog pile, since i missed it the first time.

Gregarious

 

[monk69]

So, I assume if I get a valve tightener tool at Pep Boys, it should fix it.

Just one more point is air caps that have rubber seals can hold the air even if the stim is leaking.Centrifugal force can over ride the stim spring pressure rate as well ....Good Caps

 

[gregarious]

Do all the auto part stores have air caps with rubber seals? Sounds like a good idea for extra protection.

 

[Geezer]

Update:
I finally got a chance to check it again. It is leaking out the top of the valve stem. So, I assume if I get a valve tightener tool at Pep Boys, it should fix it. Thanks to everyone who gave opinions, feel free to dog pile, since i missed it the first time.

Gregarious

Well, most likely the valve core was not tightened all the way when the tire was changed. In that case, tighten it up and you'll be fine. OTOH, when you buy the valve core tool, you might want to get a little pack of valve cores and replace the core while you're at it.