Front tyre skitting

When I brake hard the front tyre skits (sorry I can't think of another word but it leaves the road) indicating a damping issue. It does this static when I pump the forks; I recall this on the my old commando. It's hard to decelerate in an emergency when the tyre isn't contacting thr road. What's the solution? Lansdowne?

Fred, What sort of tyre are you using and which brake do you have on the front ? I can't see how this could happen with a standard disc and a modern tyre so presumably you either have an old Avon GP on the front or you've got a decent brake ?

Skittering is such an uncommon report that I must assume something amiss in the forks more than just basic factory faults. Kinda sounds like fork striction intervals rather than plain lack of dampening. Hangs and releases with tire hook up so not keeping a constant load on tire. Its possible the brake may have some gripping issues too. Its possible the tire itself is the main issue. Check its roundness.
Could be slack in the top bushes letting forks oscillate fro and aft, gripping then springing tire forward in cycles. Sorry but Commando simple complexity is what builds character and tests your faith in logic and short cuts. Of course above means more than one thing can be doing the same thing, all at once or singly.

hobot

Thanks. I haven't got round to looking at the forks yet as I am still going thro all the bike. The front is a TT100 and in good nick whereas the back has sidewall cracks and I will replace it soon. It has a big disc fitted, non-floating type. Looks like an old '70's Norvil job and lockheed caliper. I rode the bike last week for the first time and the front disc was pants and dangerous. Second ride a lot better as the rust had cleared. It was locking the wheel but probably because the wheel was not on the ground.
I will check out further and readvise but suspect the forks will be stripped soon..

FastFred said:

Thanks. I haven't got round to looking at the forks yet as I am still going thro all the bike. The front is a TT100 and in good nick whereas the back has sidewall cracks and I will replace it soon.

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Going out on a limb here and going to guess...

TIRES? :mrgreen:

Just how old is the front? If you can't date them exactly, get something new. New Avon are as little as $70 in the US.

Those 2 bits of rubber front and back are your only contact points with terra firma so its worth treating yourself to the best and not relying on old hard rubber. Avon Roadriders are the way to go, grippy compound and not bad tyrelife.

Is there enough or any fork oil in the forks.

Norton Forks have no compression damping, if they have its in the last inch of travel.
I supplied a Lansdowne kit to a lad who race's a bsa rocket three. his main complaint regarding the originals was " patter" to which could be a product of little- no compression damping...after b a few race's Bob had dialed the fluttering out .
Using the vairable needle settings and a change of oil .he reported back " Forks now 100 times better!" but a slight wooden feel in the first inch, which could be low oil level'
I have now supplied over 100 kits world wide, Hand on heart some early versions where harsh in the cold weather...The new revised kits now are not affected by the viscosity increase due to cold...revamped to include extra "anti.Topping out" .
Now in there second race season Duncan Fitchett is totally convinced these are producing winning results.
Speaking to Duncan . I suggested a double damped version, Compression and rebound control in each side,,,is view." No need ,these work great"

New all light weight alloy kits on the cards.

john robert bould said:

New all light weight alloy kits on the cards.

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My evil plan is working. The longer I wait the better the kit gets. At this rate the will be hyperlight and practically free by the time I get around to getting the kit. :mrgreen:

Swoosh! Super lite and super tuneable..... yes........free? :lol:
Well ...for what a few green backs are worth these days...i must be getting there
Anyway think of all the money you would save using the lansdowne's... your pants will last a lot longer...no more "0" sh#t!!! :evil:

hi jrb,wish your kit was around when i was racing,worst handleing probs i ever had was "pattering",not at all tracks,or all corners,just some.only way i can describe it is "like riding a jack hammer while fully cranked over" :shock: