handling improvements isolastics

issues I had with the isolastics, is that the "Tube End Cap, was not a tight enough fit on the tube and would flog out, causing the shims to wear out as well. Another was the so called PTFE washer was too soft and would disintegrate with use. With my 750, I fitted shim material round the edge to make the end cap a tight fit on the tube. I replaced the PTFE washers with ones made from that hard white plastic used as bushing on modern appliances. I haven't gone down the road if fitting the latest isolastics system yet, because I am ok with improving the original, and because I hadn't joined the NOCNZ so didn't know about the latest stuff. As a mechanic, I was taught to fix or remake things, not just fit parts.
Many years ago I had a handling problem and I went through everything I could, including doing the isolastics, trueing up the wheels and replacing the rear rim. I still ended up with a horrible wobble on fast sweepers. It turned out to be the front tyre. It looked and spun perfectly. It wasn't till I was asked to check what happened when riding with one hand that the penny dropped. The bars would start oscillating with that tyre when using one hand on the bar.
Both the bikes run dammed well now. I have a pair of new 410 tt 100s on the 850, and will soon have a pair of 100 90 road riders on the 750.
When these bike were new they handled really well. I would be interested to here other modifications that others have made to improve handling issues that have crept in due to wear and age etc.

Many years ago I had a handling problem and I went through everything I could, including doing the isolastics, trueing up the wheels and replacing the rear rim. I still ended up with a horrible wobble on fast sweepers. It turned out to be the front tyre. It looked and spun perfectly. It wasn't till I was asked to check what happened when riding with one hand that the penny dropped. The bars would start oscillating with that tyre when using one hand on the bar. Quote Kerinorton .

I don't really hold my bars too tightly , one hand seems ok , but at 50 odd if I let go completely she shakes her head like a wet collie dog. I wouldn't fancy letting her bars go at 80 . But to be honest I'm getting fed up with bikes on the ramp I want some road time. Also a wee push on the bars and she goes over, nice as nine pence, no effort really.

If it ain't " too" broke wait till winter, my winter that is.

J

hi audlblue, I often have to hold my bars one handled to avoid sun strike round here. they are pretty steady. If I suspect something is up with a front tyre now, I replace it then fit the used front tyre on the rear when next required.
I have looked at the handling mods some of these racers have done. Some are just like large types of isolastic. I think if the isolastic rubbing flanges were bigger on the originals, and we eliminated the flogging of the spacers/shims, we would get a bigger life span before having to adjust these mounts. I am sceptical of some of the threaded designs using grub screws, and think the old system is very positive. If the tube spacer were made so that it could be clamped to the tube it would be more positive. I would like to do some of these mods, trouble is, I don't want to loose the use of either bike as I like riding them too much. If have a problem with one that I cant solve instantly, at least the other one will give me a ride.
regards Dereck

Cheers for that

Sun strike! Now there is an understatement ,lost all the skin from my wrist to my bycep on my right arm , and everywhere I went total strangers would say " no protection ".

I used mick hemmings adjustable ,with the we grub ,andover norton , internals front and rear on my hopper. I went up country to see an old engineer and he jumped on it and away he went. By the time I'd smoked my second cigarette I was beginning to think it had broken down, then I heard him coming back. When he stopped all he said was " yer bike going good son, it handles well, maybe a bit dead at the front but it'll bed in a bit. Aye a real motorbike. "

Maybe it could do with new damper caps!
J