Big red pulls hard to the right. Any ideas?

[Pryme]

Hi all,

So my big red is pulling to the right if you take your hands off the bars. What should I look at that would cause this?

I was thinking maybe my crappy brakes that dont work or air pressure? But it says 2psi is what it should be do basically nothing.

Thank you for any ideas

[ironchop]

Bent fork(s)

Sent from my Z958 using Tapatalk

[Dirtcrasher]

Tire circumference...

[wonderboy]

^ What dirtcrasher said.

Yea, something could possibly be bent, but I think most often it is the tire circumference. Tire pressure at the low values we need to run on our tires is a very bad indicator of the inflated size of the tire. Your best option is to measure the outside circumference and adjust air pressure to make them the same.

So, get the machine up on a block so both rear tires are in the air. Best case, use a narrow tape measure and hook it on one of the knobbies in the middle of the tire (use a string if you don't have anything better). Rotate the tire and lay the tape on nice and straight to get your circumference measurement. Check the other tire the same way and adjust air in our out till they match.

If that doesn't work, then yea, something is bent.

[Pryme]

Nothing is bent that I know for sure. Because I've owned this trike for ten years and it just started doing this recently and in the only rider.

I will jack up the back and measure the tires. These are still the original tires that the trike wore off the assembly line in 82 btw.
Our new property has a lot of these ultra sharp little stickers that come off and attach to your pants and shoes etc. They are circular with tones of very sharp points. Not sure if one could puncture a tire?

[wonderboy]

I think it's unlikely that those little stick-tights (what we called them) could puncture a tire. What has killed several of my tires over the years are the areas where my father brush-hogged and cut down all the small sappling trees. They leave really nice sharp pointy spears anchored in the ground and if you drive through the area, you are almost guaranteed a puncture.

Let us know what you find out after adjusting the tire pressure to match your tire sizes. Try to get them as close as you can and then give it a test drive.

[Pryme]

I think it's unlikely that those little stick-tights (what we called them) could puncture a tire. What has killed several of my tires over the years are the areas where my father brush-hogged and cut down all the small sappling trees. They leave really nice sharp pointy spears anchored in the ground and if you drive through the area, you are almost guaranteed a puncture.

Let us know what you find out after adjusting the tire pressure to match your tire sizes. Try to get them as close as you can and then give it a test drive.

Yeah I was doubting those little buggers could puncture a tire too but my daughters bicycle also has a flat so I want sure if they caused both flats.

I am going to measure the big red tires today and report back.

Thank you

[badasskfx]

Swing arm bearings

[wonderboy]

Profile says he has a "1982 Honda big red 200E", so no swingarm bearings on this one (assuming this is the machine the OP is still riding).

[Pryme]

Profile says he has a "1982 Honda big red 200E", so no swingarm bearings on this one (assuming this is the machine the OP is still riding).

Yup, 82 big red. My only trike. I didnt have time to lift it up and measure the tires. Will do tomorrow.

So should I inflate to 2psi and make sure both tape out the same length?

I should note it's on the blacktop when I really notice this.

[wonderboy]

Yea, pick the pressure you want (not sure what the manual says) and set one tire to that. Then make the other one match in size. I typically thought the BigRed ran around 3-3.5 psi. The amount of pressure in this case isn't as important as making the tires the same size.

EDIT: Just looked it up and you are right on. Book calls for 2.2 PSI.

If you notice it more on blacktop, it helps support the idea of different tire sizes due to air pressure. The tires get a better grip on the blacktop and will accentuate the pull. One you hit the dirt and the tire can slip a bit, the pulling effect won't be as strong.

[efhondakid]

Inflate right tire until it goes straight. Y’all are over thinking this measuring tires and what not.

[Leevvii]

are the front axle and bearings OK? loose axle might cause enough slack to allow the wheel to slop around and steer poorly, or bearing binding causing drag on the right side

[Scootertrash]

Inflate right tire until it goes straight. Y’all are over thinking this measuring tires and what not.

What he said. And for cryin out loud get some new tires!

[Pryme]

I am going to inflate right as it seems lower in pressure. Both tires tape out about 77-78" but take that with a grain of salt as the tape doesn't follow the tires curve well.

I jacked up the rear and the tires spin pretty freely. If you give er a spin it goes for a couple seconds.

What's odd is I just inflated both to 3psi not long ago so if one is low already, that's why I wondered about a leak.

I need new tires as the lugs are gettingsmall but like having the OE tires too!

Edit. Just added air to right tire. Tracks straight now. I will monitor to see if it holds air

[Pryme]

A couple pics from today
255096

255097

[Dirtcrasher]

Oh man, you just got it tracking right!! And you flipped it over TWO TIMES!! Be careful...

[350for350]

WOW! That is a nice trike!

[Pryme]

Haha yeah I dont know why they loaded that way. And thanks guys. It's a garage queen for sure. Pretty much used to give the kids rides around the yard