New bike hit by car - bent forks? :(

[modlife]

So my dumbass friend came over and when he pulled out, decided to go out the opposite driveway. While he was turning around he "forgot" that my bike was there and back into it. Fortunatly it fell over into the mud and only broke the mirror.

How do I tell if anything else is damaged? I'm mostly worried about the front fork because the bike was run into from the front. He says he was going really slow, but common sense tells me that it would have taken a lot of force on the front wheel  to push the bike over(onto right side, opposite kickstand).

Riding it I didn't notice anything off, but I didn't really get into any turns or anything tonight. What are the things that I would notice with a slightly bend fork?

-Josh

[manofthefield]

A few options:

-Take them to a "professional" to have inspected
-Just look down your fork tubes very carefully to see if they appear straight
-Disassemble the forks and put the tubes on a flat surface

I had mine bent when I was hit by a car.  I never saw it by inspection on the bike.  I finally noticed it a year later when I had my forks apart to change the seals and oil.  They weren't bad, but they were definitely bent.  I took them to someone with the equipment to have them straightened and now they're good as new

[scottpA_GS]

but common sense tells me that it would have taken a lot of force on the front wheel  to push the bike over(onto right side, opposite kickstand).
-Josh

Na, A strong wind can knock the GS over 

But I agree w/ above, if in question take it to the dealer and have it checked out.. Your friend will pay for the inspection    right 

[sledge]

A straight edge placed against the tube and a Mk1 eye-ball, or you can remove and dismantle the forks and roll the tube on a sheet of glass, or you can set the tube in vee-blocks and measure and compare run-out figures using a DTI........Its possible the forks have twisted in the yolks slightly without becoming damaged and the front wheel is now out of alignment but unless you can see or feel something different I would assume there has been no damage.

[gs500f-gaz]

it takes alot to bend the forks. the only way i can see the forks being bent is if he run the front of the bike over. not only pushing it. if your that concerned i would take em off and check em on a flat surface. i would take em to a shop because they will only rip you off for a new set.

[gsJack]

If your concerned about the forks, just put the bike up on the centerstand and some front blocks and pull the front wheel.  Take the handlebars loose and lay them back on the tank covered with a blanket or towel and loosen the fork tube clamp screws.  Put a 1/2" drive extension with ratchet in the squares on top of the forks and turn the forks around a couple turns.  If there is no wobble at the bottom of the fork slider the forks should be straight and true enough.

[ohgood]

Did the 'friend' off to pay for the repairs ?

Someone else's fault = do things at the stealership.

That being said, you've already ridden it, and apparently no police report was filed. I wouldn't let anyone out of sight without a report. Liability and bad luck are bitches that will gang up on you !

[The Buddha]

He says he was going really slow, but common sense tells me that it would have taken a lot of force on the front wheel  to push the bike over(onto right side, opposite kickstand).

-Josh

Man, a hot girl can make me drop my bike on the right side, cos you see I stand on the left of the bike facing the bike when putting on or taking off my gear ... and y'know ... I drop it 2-3 times a day because of this.
BTW, I doubt your front end is bent (no pun intended) ...
But if you like you can get a bigger front end if you like (again no pun intended) ...
41mm dia and clip on's and much stiffer OK, who am I kidding, we're not even talking about a bike here are we.
Cool.
Srinath.

[Affschnozel]

^^^
   

I've got my front end bent once and it was enough for me , don't recommend it to anyone   

Be careful and use protection 

PS
you can do a simple wheel alignment check to see if the front ain't strait no more   

linky: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/string_align_motorcycle_wheels/

[modlife]

My friend offered to pay - but he just lost his job so I'll be cool and do what I can myself - and have him pay for the tube to be straightened. They looked fine but about about an hour ago I went for a ride and at about 60mph let all pressure off the bars and could def. feel it want to wobble. They compress fully and aren't leaking so I'll probably ride it until I find someone to straighten the tube, and just go easy on the bike. I'm a really aggressive rider so part of me is hoping that I come across a nicer front end for a couple hundred bucks and I can just use it as an excuse to upgrade.

[modlife]

BTW, I doubt your front end is bent (no pun intended) ...
But if you like you can get a bigger front end if you like (again no pun intended) ...
41mm dia and clip on's and much stiffer

I'm actually thinking I may do that - looking for a gsx-r front end but yeah, one tube is def a little bent - I can feel it rub when I compress it fully and It feels a little wobbly at highway speeds when I let all pressure off the bars. Nothing that can't be straightened though. I already ordered progressive springs, so I have to take them apart anyways. The challenge now is finding someone in North Alabama that actually knows what they're doing and getting them to straighten the tube - most of the "shops" around me only sell $1000 200cc Chinese crap and everyone in by hometown of Nashville wants to over charge being that they're so busy.

Man, a hot girl can make me drop my bike on the right side, cos you see I stand on the left of the bike facing the bike when putting on or taking off my gear ... and y'know ... I drop it 2-3 times a day because of this.
BTW, I doubt your front end is bent (no pun intended) ...
But if you like you can get a bigger front end if you like (again no pun intended) ...
41mm dia and clip on's and much stiffer OK, who am I kidding, we're not even talking about a bike here are we.
Cool.
Srinath.

...you have a sick mind Srinath; I love it

[The Buddha]

<snippage
ain't strait no more   

Oh no, is that how everyone came to ghey ass twin ...
Modlife - North alabama ... damn that was day 2 of my trip to here.
You can straighten it (yes no pun intended).
I would'nt quite do GSXR though . Too much stuff fits like it was cobbled together in someone's garage - which it is.
I just finished milling and welding etc etc to a Kat Top triple that it currently fits like it came from the factory. Better yet, steering stops, ignition lock etc etc all fit with no spacers.
I highly recomend that.
Having said that, I got nothing to sell ya ... You're on your own.  ...
OK OK I can scrape up some sheite (but its not going to take the stock dash the way it is though). That can be the last item if you do it though. I literally have a play book, right down to the headlight ears.
Cool.
Srinath.