EUREKA! CBX Headshake FIXED!! It handles perfect!!!

[andy]

Finally found source of major headshake on my 81 CBX: the Metzeler Lazer front tire 3.50-19 w/ only 200 miles on it. Apparently it did not match the new Bridgestone Spitfire S11 130/90-18 rear tire. New Bridgestone Spitfire S11 100/90-19 front tire gave it arrow straight rock-solid stability. Rode 350 miles today, this bike never ran or handled better, I am convinced this bike cannot be sorted any better (except maybe a big-bore kit). Thanx to Mike Donndilinger for re-building my forks w/ RaceTech gold cartridge emulators, Bob Franzke for the Progressive rear shock, and Bill Valentine for carefully mounting and balancing the tires.
I was really depressed until I fixed this, thought the bike inherently ill-handling.
Moral of the story: CBX's are very sensitive to tires, do yourself and your bike a favor, spoon on a fresh set, even if they have some tread left.

[cbxchris]

Congrats Andy!!! Glad it was nothing more than that though that was enough to run a guy crazy. I probably would have put money on the steering head bearings.

[andy]

Checked my new front tire after the 350 mile trip, guess what I found: a 3 1/2" screw sticking thru the tread and out the sidewall!!!
Well, it was a great tire while it lasted, and THANK GOD it didn't blowout at 135 mph Sunday.

[sr71cbx]

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[Passx]

Bad, Mark, really bad



Steve P. #5220

[sr71cbx]

,,

[andy]

I'm getting TIRED of these bad jokes

[Ken Glaser]

Andy, thx for the post on my question; I'll definitely try the Bridgestone Spitfires. I assume they don't have a straight block pattern, but at least some diagonal treads? Because such patterns follow the raingrooves on California highways.



Ken

[sr71cbx]

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[andy]

Mark, your jokes are turbo!

[CBXzREG]

How does a tyre have time to pick up a 3 1/2" screw at 135mph ??

[CRAZY DAVE]

Richard, you have to be V-E-R-Y G-O-O-D !! to do that at 135. I came close to that in Houston in 1984. Brand new Freightliner, 1100 miles on it. Truck started vibrating real bad like a paintshaker. Left rear outside drive had a brand new railroad spike in it. Same thing- came in,deflected off the steel belt and poked it's nose thru the sidewall. Had to idle about 7 miles to truck stop. Never lost air!!!! Michelin rep took pictures to send to corp. What's so great about a tiny little screw?? The next ??-- After finding the screw did somebody's heart go into defib???? Mine would.