strange wheel skid while downshifting

Ok so on my ride on the mass pike everything was going just fine. I go to take my exit and when I get to the toll booth and I'm clutch downshifting and the front tire starts skidding right after I release the clutch. It also happens under accelleration if I give it too much gas. I can't figure it out. Anyone got any ideas?

On a side note when I get low on gas it seems like the bike starts running rich. The exhaust smells like gas and under moderate to heavy throttle i t starts to stumble right around 5 grand. Anyone got a clue on that one either?

 

I would lift up the front wheel and see if it spins free. Check for locked up brake calipers or wheel bearings. Don't ride again till you figure out why the front is locking so easily!!!

 

Under normal braking it is fine. Probaby should get new wheel bearings at the least. They aren't too too expensive and it couldn't hurt.

 

I did just have to take off the front wheel to have a valve stem replaced. The owner before me decided to put atv/ dirtbike valve caps on so I was ridding fast and it took out the valve stem out. Think that might have something to do with that. That was a month ago.

 

Is this a 5th gen bike with ABS linked brake system?

 

Need to know a little more about the bike. What year? Whats the service history? If its carb'ed, ever had them cleaned? Ever had it synched?

If you're front wheel is locking up at random intervals, do yourself a favor and stop riding it until you figure it out. The Mass Pike is 2nd next to the NJ Turnpike in insane drivers. No one wants your next post to be from a hospital bed.

 

It is a 2000 fuel injected bike. Linked brakes but no abs. Only service I know of was when I bought it the dealership MOMs south (motorcycles of manchester) in foxboro ma had to replace the RR I believe. And I had to take the front wheel to the shop to get a valve stem put in about a month ago. It may have been me that caused it because the wheel bearings looked kind of dirty at the time (not the cleanest mechanic I know) so I kind of cleaned them off. But that's as muchas I know for history on the bike. Dealer wasn't forthcoming when asked so yea.

 

Get yourself some kind of shop manual and make sure the front wheel is installed correctly, theres a specific way they want the wheel installed with regards to tightening sequence.

 

NO !! You need to find the problem, not just throw random parts at it.

Any decent cycle repair shop or dealership needs to check the customer's wheel bearings anytime a wheel comes in for tire service and report to him if they've gone bad; not to do so ranks as negligence imo, as well as bad business.

 

Ok so maybe its the fact that my rear tire has an air leak in it. Found out today that I have a screw in it. If it was low on air the tire would lose traction as I downshift correct? It very well could have been the REAR tire chirping as I downshifted. Which makes a lot more sense because the front was fine as I followed my shop manual. Torqued to correct values in right order. Would a flat rear tire make more sense?

 

Yea was going to six flags and had to move the bike from behind the fiancees rolla and rolled it out of the way and realized the tire was flat. Put her up on the center stand to put air in and there it was. You can hear the air leak out. Would fix a flat or slime work? Its in the middle of the groove in tread so how about a plug? Could a tire shop even if its not a cycle shop fix it? I do appreciate all the feedback so thanks everyone. Proud to be an owner.

 

Sorry. Its a quarter inch hole. Should have mentioned that in the previous post. What cycle shops are around the springfield area in case a regular shop can't handle the awesomeness of a viffer?

 

Bought a patch kit today and going back up there to at least plug it to get me home. I do know the difference between a patch and plug. Don't have the tools to take the tire off the rim so I'm going to just plug it and have someone follow me back. Time for a new tire.

 

When in doubt, new tire is the way to go. a 1/4 inch hole is pretty big, IMO, on a bike tire. Not like your talking a finishing nail.

 

Well we patched her up but forgot the key. If she holds air then all is good until I can get a tire. I just need it to last about a week until I can get one. It wasn't 1/4 inch like it looked. More like a 1/8 so we reamed it and plugged it. When I go back up this weekend I will be able to see if its holding air. Seems to.

 

Nothing like reeming a hole and then plugging it shut to see if you can make her airtight. But be safe.

 

Not recommended; but I've done thousands of miles on a plugged tire.

Now do tell, does an inflated rear tire solve the 'strange wheel skid'?