Joel and I are battling recurring problem on a 1995 K1100LT, low miles, but was involved in low-speed, low side. There is a small amount of faring damage, limited to stress fractures and high-spot grinding. But really bike is in good shape.
In slow speed turns and slaloms, the bike falls into the turn and you have to forcibly correct out of it. Steering is not light at all when the bike is in motion. The behavior is the same at higher speeds. You have to physically hold the bike in a straight line. When bike is on center stand, steering is light, but still feels like it falls full lock right or left.
We replaced and rebuilt the forks, checked spacers on the front axle and replaced handlebars. Compared it to a well running K1100LT, the difference in effort is tremendous. (We're using the '93 K11LT I purchased in Seattle; it had been set up by a long distance rider; it has a Works shock; the problem bike has the standard rear shock, if that matters).
The only thing I can think of at this point is to replace steering head bearings, but these bearings don't feel notchy at all. We are at a loss for a solution to this problem. Any ideas?
Larry Johnson
El Paso TX
