Front wheel feels like its on rails.

[inferno]

Looking for some ideas of whats going on the front wheel. Bike = Suzuki Katana

When i was riding home last night ~ 7, the front wheel felt like it was on rails, as in it didnt want to turn past a certain point. Id have to push it a little more to turn

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So if the middle line is the front wheel, turn it past left and right past the two slashes, id have to force it a bit.

Any idea of what could cause this ?

- Tires are inflated properly. I checked.
- Tires are new (<1500 km)
- There was no noticeable resistance when i rode into work.
- Bike didnt fall or hit anything.

A little concerned because when riding, it feels like the bike sloly pulls you to the sides.

 

[jeffjones]

Was this feeling at speed or when stopped?
If it was at speed it might just be as simple as a frozen tire, I notice anything different on my bike and usually feel for it so it seems more noticeable.

 

[omnivore]

steering head bearings

 

[inferno]

jeff : I can feel it at stop.
omnivore : what could have cause this? It was just parked outside during the day.
Thanks

 

[RockerGuy]

jeff : I can feel it at stop.
omnivore : what could have cause this? It was just parked outside during the day.
Thanks

normal wear

 

[GreyGhost]

Another vote for head bearings (they cause the symptoms, but the symptoms shouldn't appear so quickly). If you had a center stand they are easy to check, without one, not so easy.

Things that could develop quickly
-tire pressure (you said you already checked this, hopefully when they were cold)
-Frozen tires, did things get better as you rode?
-If it was really cold, your fork oil thickens up, but I doubt that could be your problem so far this year.

 

[Stewart]

have you got a streering damper on the bike, frozen oil making the action stiff?

 

[inferno]

Grey : Bikes got a center stand
- Tire pressure : ~34 psi.
- I didnt really notice any improvement after riding a bit, then again im riding for ~20 min in stop and go traffic after sunset. and early morning.

Stewart : No Steering damper.

 

[caboose56]

Grey : Bikes got a center stand
- Tire pressure : ~34 psi.
- I didnt really notice any improvement after riding a bit, then again im riding for ~20 min in stop and go traffic after sunset. and early morning.

Stewart : No Steering damper.

Put the bike up on the center stand. Have a friend push the rear down so the front tire is off the ground. Check to see if there is any play in the steering stem by gently pulling forward/up on the front wheel.

 

[GreyGhost]

Put the bike up on the center stand. Have a friend push the rear down so the front tire is off the ground. Check to see if there is any play in the steering stem by gently pulling forward/up on the front wheel.

+1. Also rotate the handlebars, if things have gotten really bad, there can be a click that locks the handlebars in a certain direction (normally straight ahead or very close to it).