Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > 748 Steering Head Angle Question

[zhed44]

Hi again,

I'd like to quicken up the steering on the 748 in a last ditch attempt to get on with the bike, so I'm thinking of changing the steering head angle from "road" to "race".

Despite what the manual says, is it safe (ie: will the bike be slap-happy)?

All other suspension settings are standard at the moment - should I change any fork or shock settings to complement or compensate for the change?

Thanks

[NBs996]

Hasn't caused me any problems.
Be careful bashing that castle nut round tho, those castellations are pretty soft!

[Gaz 748]

Quicker to raise the rear and you can keep the steering lock

[zhed44]

Originally Posted by Gaz 748

Quicker to raise the rear and you can keep the steering lock

Do you mean "steering lock", as in the thing that immobilises the handlebars, or "steering lock" as in the amount of "turn" you can get, which helps you avoid hitting the opposite kerb when doing U turns?

I'd rather not raise the rear as I'm not very tall and I think the bike feels quite top heavy as it is

Thanks - and thanks to NBS too

[ducv2]

You will lose the immobilising steering lock, and as mentioned, be very careful with the castellations as they are soft (as I found out). I understand that this adjustable headstock was for use with the longer race swinging arm, but I have used it on road and track for years with no worries. I also raised the ride height against reccomendations from various people, and have got the old beast to steer the way I want, though it is a bit 'tucky' on the front if you are not on the power in tightish corners. If you are worried about raising the rear, try dropping the yokes down the forks, take it easy after you have changed things, and if you dont like it you can always put it back

[NBs996]

Originally Posted by zhed44

Do you mean "steering lock", as in the thing that immobilises the handlebars, or "steering lock" as in the amount of "turn" you can get, which helps you avoid hitting the opposite kerb when doing U turns?

Gaz probably means both.
The key lock doesn't reach the hole with the steeper angle, and you lose a lot of turning circle - beware when you first ride it!

[geoff m]

I had exactly the same issues, being a massive five foot seven I was loathe to raise the rear, sooooo.......dropped the forks through the yolks 1mm at a time, after three mm it steers super fast and is still well stable.

geoff M

[geoff m]

just a thought, what tyres are you on ? this can also effect steering speed,I found it felt slower when I changed from bridgestone to pirelli...

[zhed44]

Originally Posted by geoff m

just a thought, what tyres are you on ? this can also effect steering speed,I found it felt slower when I changed from bridgestone to pirelli...

i'm on metz rennsports, which although they have, in a previous life been hammered by bungi, IMO steer quicker than the OE pirellis

[zhed44]

Originally Posted by NBs996

and you lose a lot of turning circle - beware when you first ride it!

thanks for the warning.....i'll just have to perfect my doughnut technique