Hawghauler
Cruisin' Guzzisti
I have read here the T5 with 16" rims can have adverse handling, steering wobble, 2 wheel Parkinson's disease and everything other lurgy known to man. I have also heard if it is well maintained and with good tires it is a sweet little bike. As I have never ridden mine or any other T5 for that matter, and it is in the shop now, I will ride it as is and judge for myself certainly. I read forum threads about changing out the steering stem bearings and adding steering dampeners. Some said to change the stem bearings every 5K which seems extreme to me. What would you consider a good option right up front to do to the 1985 T5 with 12K on the clock as a handling improvement that is tried and tested? It is currently at the dealers and will be getting new shocks and fork springs as they are original and I am assuming time has weakened them. It was suggested to me to install Metzler laser tech tires as a good handling tire which is okay with me and the only testimonial I have received to date. Should the stem bearing be replaced as preventive maintenance? Should I add a steering damper as a guaranteed improvement? I won't be home for months and I am not overly worried about cost. I do plan to let my son use this bike as a starter bike for him and to keep it exercised and I don't want to have a new rider straddling a mechanical bull. He is a very conservative risk averse driver who will probably not exceed speed limit, nothing at all like his old man who likes to ride and drive hard.