Re: rear wheel offset

[Robert Silas <robert.silas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe,
Thanks for taking the time to read my write-up.
Some people says that their bike does not pull, these are later bikes, mine is a Beta-bike a '94 but made in '93, one of the first ones. Service knows nothing about this and I have no knowledge that neither BMW nor Volkswagen ever admitted anything but perfection.
Do not misunderstand, I love the bike and this is the reason I am trying to make it suit me better. In a short ride I am not bothered by a bit of "pull" but 10,000 miles in 2-weeks is hard on the elbow from forcing the bike running straight when it wants to weir-off to the right leaves a mark. Forcing the bike to run straight is the force which produces extra friction between tire and road surface, which eventually wears front tires unevenly.
Bob Silas
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joe Kiefer 
  To: oilheads-digest 
  Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 2:03 PM
  Subject: rear wheel offset


  I read with interest Rober Silas' nice web site from the oilheads-digest posting on fixing the
  BMW pull-to-the-right problem.  Congratulations to Robert, it must feel sweet.  I
  have put 35K miles on my R1100RT and it has annoyed me since 2000 when
  I bought the bike new.  Like you mine climbs the wrong side of the road
  crown, requires constant steering input, and wears the left front tire
  tread quickly.  I have posted comments about this on this forum several time.  The dealers won't acknowledge the
  problem.  They say it's within normal tolerance and not a safety
  issue.  We've heard the usual bogus excuses about why it happens,
  i.e., motor rotation torque, crown in road, drive shaft weight on
  right.   One BMW dealer even gave me a document repleat with drawings
  that shows why they are supposed to be off balance.  What hog wash.  It
  wasn't an official BMW document otherwise I would have written the
  factory.



  Not all RTs pull.  Motorcycle Consumer News had an article several
  years ago that listed problems reported by buyer's.  As I recall the
  PTTR problem was reported by about 10 - 15% of owners.  We are among
  these "lucky" ones.  BMW is quite capable of designing and building a bike
  that runs true.  It's my guess that something occurs during the factory
  assembly with the engine as a structural member that goes wrong. 
  Moving the wheel over is one way you and others have fixed/improved the
  problem.  I contacted Computrak who said they could realign the frame
  to fix it.  I have not been as dedicated or determined to fix it so I don't have much to offer but it makes me feel better to vent.  The
  times when I load 20 lbs in the left saddle bag give me a glimpse at the smooth light
  touch possible.  Gradual turns to the left aren't a fight with the handlebars.  I love everything else about my bike.  Maybe one of
  these days I'll do something about it instead of harping.



  Joe Kiefer
  Houston
  ------------------------------

  Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:46:51 -0500
  From: Robert Silas <robert.silas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  Subject: RS rear wheel offset

  Hello Clive and all:
  Detailed write up with pictures can be viewed at:
  http://www.robertsilas.com/documents/35.html

  Bob Silas
  Montreal

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  End of oilheads-digest V4 #131
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