Any Cat riders near Lancaster?

I probably gave my excuses for being off the road for a while so I wont hash the stuff back up again.
Been through a fair few bikes in the past three years and not done a lot of mileage on most of them, I did a few long pootles on the XBR Thumper but that was slow and relaxed.
I got the Thundercat a few weeks ago and have only clocked up about 220 miles on it so far. I am a nervous wreck! I am scared of anything bar a straight, dry road on the Cat at the moment and need to know if it is just me having some sort of strange panic with the bikes characteristics or if there is something wrong with it such as shock, tyres, bearings or whatever. In an ideal World I'd like to find another Cat rider and have them take mine for a play, give me their opinion. If the bike is judged to be right then I know it's just an illogical fear and I can then deal with it.
If it is something that needs adjusting or dealing with on the bike I'd like an experienced opinion. I'd be happy to ride to meet somebody a reasonable distance from Lancaster.
Any Volunteers?

Well if you can find your self a long, dry, straight road to Chesterfield we'd happily help but It's a bit of a treck! Gorgeous journey across the peaks tho!

Ellie

Surf and Turf Ride Out is happening this coming weekend up your way (see in "How About" - 'Something for the Weekend' ~ Surf 'n' Turf ~).

Maybe you could whizz over to Richmond where they're gonna be based or hook up with them somewhere en-route on the Saturday.
I'm sure you'll find plenty willing to lend a helping view.

In general terms though . . . what seems to be the problem with the Cat ? Is it shaking it's head ? Or squirming at the rear ?? What's causing you to loose confidence on anything but the straight bits ?

It feels quite squirmy and I am not sure if the rear shocker is too soft for my weight (I'm
20 stones!). The tyres look okay, bridgestone bt021 I think, but I don't feel any confidence in them. The throttle feels like an "On/Off switch" in that I can't get a smooth acceleration when I want to ride a bend. Any imperfections of the road surface such as seam lines make the thing wobble like crazy, feels like I'm on solid tyres! It may be that I have got spooked, for some reason I don't know, and I am tensing up too much to ride well. I know I haven't had the same problem on other bikes, bigger and more powerful stuff included.
Chesterfield would be good but I don't think I can afford the petrol for that sort of distance at the moment .

Some things to check:

Tyre pressures
Steering head bearings
Swingarm bearings
Wheel bearings
Shock linkage & bushes
Suspension settings (compression, rebound, preload)

For the ragged acceleration, might just need carbs balancing or even the throttle cable adjusting.

I live in Morecambe and would gladly offer my services... although to be honest they are going to be incredibly limited given I've not had my Cat for 2 years and I'm complete dunce when it comes to anything vaguely mechanical!

The lads at Lancaster Honda always looked after me, was there that often that I'm on first name terms with them all and some of them are coming to my wedding!

By all means we can still meet up if you want and I'll see if there's anything I can spot

There is a fairly good chance you are bottoming out the shock. Have a look [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] it explains how to setup the suspension. Try out the rear settings and see if there is any reserve travel.

I would suspect you might have trouble up front too. The acceleration on/off you are experiencing, is this only in the bends? If so then I think the front forks are bottoming out / collapsing in the corners.
Quick test any way would be to put a cable tie on a fork, go for a ride and see how far from the top the cable tie has traveled - if it is right at the top then you have issues there too.
Another test, how easy is it for you to go around a mini roundabout? does the bike feel like it wants to fall over?

If this is the case then what is happening is you are having to use the throttle to try and control the bike, even the slightest movement would upset the cornering and you end up in a vicious circle of trying to compensate throttle/lean.

I have had this problem and it did get to the stage where I had no confidence in riding, especially around bends or mini roundabouts.

As has been mentioned, tyre pressures very important ... I run 36 front 42 rear.

I would suspect you might have trouble up front too.

Nick says the trouble with my bike is always the thing between the handlebars and the seat, not sure what he means really[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

BT021?? There is an issue straight away in my opinion.
What is the front tyre like? They are the worst tyre I've ever owned & Bridgestone replaced one of mine FOC, they quickly replaced the 021 after many complaints.
Can u post a pic of the front tyre?

i agree with nick on the tyre front but the best to use
pete

Hi Dogbad, S&F will be meeting @ devils bridge 10.30 - 11.00 sat morning. Ideal time to meet up and get some "expert opnion" see you there.

Sounds good Terry. I'll try and get there.

I agree about the crappy tyres by the way, I do NOT like them at all and it's only finances that are stopping me from dealing with that straight away.

Did you see my post last night about the Dunlops? £20 for a front delivered!!

robertcains wrote:Did you see my post last night about the Dunlops? £20 for a front delivered!!

Sounds interesting! Too late to sort things out just now but I'll have a quick nosey in the morning! Ta.

Update! I found a bloke has moved in the flats next to me that has an old, well travelled by the look of it, Thundercat. I did knock upon his door and beg his indulgence to ride my bike a bit and give opinion.
He returned with a grin upon his Gob and pronounced my 'Cat "Fit as owt". I thanked him and went for a bimble myself. Still squirrels about the road on anything vaguely uneven but I am willing to accept that I might just have got myself spooked and need to relax and get used to it. Found a blowing downpipe so it's in for a new sealing washer on Thursday and that might make the throttle a little less Grabby I hope.
All I need to do now is save up for a few weeks and try to buy some Petrol for it

What tyre pressures are you running?

34 and 42 I think, I lost my little digital pressure gauge so I can only use the Garage forecourt ones and they are as reliable as something not very reliable at all!

You should be ok at those pressures, I used to run mine on 36 42.