Okay, as a result of a previous post, I've now become interested in figuring out if my forks are bent post-crash. Someone suggested just using a straight edge or laser and checking them that way. Here's a question, though: which part of the fork would I be checking - the lower part or the upper part? Where do forks usually bend? Pictures would be helpful since I'm pretty new to wrenching on this thing. Also, what would be the problem with riding around on a slightly bent fork? Thanks in advance.
The upper chrome part is more susceptible to bending. If you have them off you can roll them on a flat surface with the upper part resting on it. Also you need to check all other parts too. Especially where the wheel mounts.
Bent forks can cause binding when compressing or extending, even severely damage seals. Also, if the forks are bent to different degrees or in different directions your front wheel could be out of alignment and lead to handling problems and tire damage or failure.
Granted, those sound extreme but safety first!! :thumb:
Sorry, I don't have any pics.
you can do it on the bike.
center stand the bike
block under the exhaust to take most of the weight off of the front wheel
loosen the front axle
loosen one fork clamp(pinch) bolts(upper and lower)
rotate the chrome tube
does it cause the fork at the bottom to gyrate?
does the wheel wobble as you rotate the tube?
if yes....bent upper fork tube
tighten pinch bolts
repeat with other side
in the old dayz we would then disassemble the fork and take the tube
to a machine shop where they would straighten it
a slight bend can be straightened
a kink in the tube...can not
or go buy new/used parts to fix
or if you are a freaking psycho. rotate tubes til they are both bent forward
tighten everything up
ride bike with the assumption that every time you brake hard....you are straightening the forks :confused:
These guys nailed the statements head on. I would NOT ride with bent forks evar. is very bad for the bike, and potentially for your health. undue tire wear, and crooked handelbars are just the most obvious signs of a bent fork.
as was mentioned, creases cannot be straightened, but slight bends usually can. I'm comfortable replacing bent tubes much more than straightening them.
Solid advice, thanks guys. I'll be doing this today via loosening those bolts and rotating the fork. I'll know soon if I should even rebuild this or just part it out and buy new... :(
Okay, well, I've loosened those bolts and rotated the chrome part. Long story short, there is no "wobble" or "gyration" in anything. I'm not really sure what would happen with the wheel when I rotate the top chrome tube. I.e., can you explain further how I would detect either the wheel wobbling or the bottom of the fork to gyrate?
Let me tell you my observation and you guys tell me if I'm screwed...
The right fork tube spins freely, but seems to have some resistance at the place where the bolt attaches and at the seal between the chrome part of the fork and the lower part of the fork (soon I will learn the names for all of this stuff) during one section of the full rotation. Now, when I say slight resistance, I mean "slight" resistance. I am still easily able to turn it with my hand, but there is obviously a touch of resistance during one part of the rotation (seeming to suggest a very minor bend?) The left tube seems to spin completely evenly with no detectable resistance anywhere during the rotation.
Suggestions?
Quote from: Train on January 03, 2009, 11:20:11 AM
Solid advice, thanks guys. I'll be doing this today via loosening those bolts and rotating the fork. I'll know soon if I should even rebuild this or just part it out and buy new... :(
don't be too fast to scrap the fork. if you have the ability to remove the tubes, a machine shop can straighten them in a snap. if they get all pompous about writing out a job ticket, quoting blah blah blah per hour, etc, find another shop ;) (it's a $20 job)
Hmmm... all forums are different, and I don't know what the rules are around here about bumping posts. I got some great responses this morning before I started rotating the forks. Do I need to give more information, or can someone recommend a course of action? Sorry for the noob question - I really have no idea what I'm doing - learning as I go. I'll probably have a shop look everything over when I'm done... But in the mean time, anyone? Bueller?