Rolling resistance

79 KZ650 B3

So, I'm rolling a few bikes around at the shop where my bike is being worked on. I move my bike, then I move a Honda Shadow. The shadow is much easier to move. I pull both bikes outside and it's absolutely true, the Shadow rolls much easier.

Now, my bike has a dry weight of 465lbs. According to the manual, the shadow has a dry weight of 505 lbs. I lift up on the front and rear of both bikes, and the Shadow absolutely feels heavier on both ends, so I believe that 505 lbs stat.

I recently replaced the rear wheel bearings, chain and sprockets on my bike. The calipers don't drag on the front, and the brake shoes don't drag on the rear. I don't understand how the Shadow can be nearly 50lbs heavier, yet apparently offer so much less rolling resistance. i can see where the greater mass of the bike would account for that once it's rolling, but my bike is harder to get moving, too.

?

You have checked the air pressure in the tires, right?

Assuming you have, I'd get the front end off the ground and rotate the front tire by hand, if it rotates easily, I'd then do the same to the rear. Localize the problem so you'll know where to start looking.

If you have removed and reinstalled the front wheel, then there is a possibility that you didn't get the speedo drive back in exactly the right position and it's now causing a lot of drag.

Proper chain tightness and condition of the sprockets makes a big difference (also gas economy) and as mentioned correct tire inflstion.

Chain and sprockets are new, and the chain is properly tightened and lubed. Tires are over-inflated, if anything. I run them at 38psi.

Dragging brakes are what I would look at next. When did you install new brake pads and what was the condition of the brake cylinders and both master cylinders? Also the condition of the SS brake discs.

Brakes aren't dragging. New pads less than 200 miles ago. Close inspection with stethescope; no dragging.

Maybe since you have newer bearings, the bearing clearances in the new bearings are tighter than the honda's and the honda's are worn a little to give free play

How old is the shadow?

79 KZ650 B3...recently replaced the rear wheel bearings, chain and sprockets....

Could remove chain from rear sprocket, with rear tire off ground (using centerstand or jacks or whatever), spin rear wheel and listen for any unusual sound (perhaps something went awry during installation of the new bearing). Should spin freely. Do same thing with the other bike to compare free spin of rear wheels. Then repeat with chain in place. Perhaps new o-ring chain needs a few miles to loosen up.

Then compare front wheel spin freedom the same way between bikes.

Both bikes' transmissions should be in neutral when doing the comparison. For example, either bike is likely harder to push when left in gear and relying on simply squeezing the clutch handlebar lever to permit pushing it forward.

If both bikes have same freedom of wheel spin on both wheels, and same air pressures in tires, and continue a significant difference in rolling resistance, call Guinness. :woohoo:

Good Luck!