Anybody have luck fixing a slight bend a fork tube?

[centuryghost]

I've been chasing down a strange tracking issue and finally realized the PO slightly bent the caliper side tube above the lower tree. It's only a few degrees, had to grab a straight edge and ruler to finally see it. My first thought was to bend it back because it's slight but obviously noticeable in the steering. Anybody do this and do you have some tips 

[centuryghost]

BTW, I meant "Anybody have luck fixing a slight bend IN a fork tube". Save the flames.

[tt_four]

Doesn't sound too promising to me, but spin the fork tube around and try riding into a wall. You never know!

[jp]

When it comes to fork tubes, bent is scrap.

[The Buddha]

I have fixed it, but its easy to have it ruined too. How much is it bent and well, how skilled is the guy operating the press are the most important considerations.

Of course I like to cut em, weld a plate to em and use em for seating beairngs.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Pigeonroost]

I had some custom suspension work down in a shop just north of Atlanta, GA, Traxxion Dynamics and took the nickle tour while there.  They had a work station set-up to check and straighten fork tubes.  The shop manager said it was no big deal; if ya have the equipment.

prs

[the mole]

My GS had a slightly bent fork tube when I got it, the PO didn't know and ordered a new one at his expense. While waiting for that to arrive, I removed the tube and he straightened it in a press, very successfully, and I rode with it for about 1000km before replacing it.

[centuryghost]

I think I'll try to straighten it out first before I just scrap it. The bend is slight and I have been riding with it for 8,000 miles 

[TonyKZ1]

You might contact a suspension company like Traxxion Dynamics or Aftershocks to see what they would charge to straighten them, and maybe have them rebuild them while you're at it.
Tony

[centuryghost]

You might contact a suspension company like [http://traxxionstore.com/]Traxxion Dynamics[/url] or Aftershocks to see what they would charge to straighten them, and maybe have them rebuild them while you're at it.
Tony

Does anybody know someone who would do this in the Seattle area? If not, what are good places to call on locally?

[tt_four]

If the bend is only slight, you might be able to avoid your steering problem by turning the fork tube 90 degrees so it's pulling outward or inward, instead of front/back. Just an idea to try before to pull it all apart and try to bend it back.

[centuryghost]

If the bend is only slight, you might be able to avoid your steering problem by turning the fork tube 90 degrees so it's pulling outward or inward, instead of front/back. Just an idea to try before to pull it all apart and try to bend it back.

I like this idea better than your first one 

[REAP]

I had this same problem but my bend was pretty serious. I tried using a 20 tonne press but that just made it worse. So i went to my local bike shop and he knew someone that could fix it, $80 AUS later and she's sweet. Try going to a few bike shops and asking around, I got lucky I guess.

[centuryghost]

Thanks for the replies everyone 

I have found a member here who is sending me a clean, straight set of forks with sonic springs installed. I love this forum! 

[noiseguy]

Sounds like you're set.

Pretty much any machine shop would have tools for this. You need a 20T press, some v-blocks, and a dial gauge to measure progress. It's touchy work to get it straight, but not rocket science, and a mild bend like that (where it wasn't visually observed without tools) would come out easily.