As I ride down the road, my bars are constantly just slightly turned right to go straight. I just have a nice, simple question. Yes I searched, no I didn't find anything.
Is the front wheel align-able? Or is this a clear sign of tweaked forks? Bike has been dropped before, just not by me(yet?). I'm really hoping there's some play in the wheel alignment and I don't need new forks!
also consider your bars may not be straight.
Happened when my Bandit was towed, they tied down off the bars and actually put a slight bend (droop) in them. Its taking a few rides of removing the bar end cap and shoving in a rod to lever the bar back into alignment. bugs the crap out of me.
Are you having to lean? The rear wheel is alignable. Is "alignable" a word?
Yeah, It's far more likely that your handlebar is bent. If the forks are bent, it's usually pretty obvious. I've heard of some people laying the bike down, and while not bending the forks, they do get twisted in the triple tree. For that you can just loosen the forks in the triple tree and retighten to straighten everything out.
Quote from: 007brendan on September 05, 2012, 09:35:27 PM
Yeah, It's far more likely that your handlebar is bent. If the forks are bent, it's usually pretty obvious. I've heard of some people laying the bike down, and while not bending the forks, they do get twisted in the triple tree. For that you can just loosen the forks in the triple tree and retighten to straighten everything out.
I agree with this. It's easy to check. Just loosen the fork clamp bolts (not completely), and squeeze the front brake and/or bump into a wall with the front wheel to make sure it's in alignment. Then retorque the fork clamp bolts.
Quote from: bombsquad83 on September 06, 2012, 06:26:03 AM
Quote from: 007brendan on September 05, 2012, 09:35:27 PM
Yeah, It's far more likely that your handlebar is bent. If the forks are bent, it's usually pretty obvious. I've heard of some people laying the bike down, and while not bending the forks, they do get twisted in the triple tree. For that you can just loosen the forks in the triple tree and retighten to straighten everything out.
I agree with this. It's easy to check. Just loosen the fork clamp bolts (not completely), and squeeze the front brake and/or bump into a wall with the front wheel to make sure it's in alignment. Then retorque the fork clamp bolts.
I've had a twisted fork assembly a time or two (that's all I'm going to admit to), actually I bought my then slightly used 02 GS with a twisted fork assembly and knew how easily they sprung back in place when the front end was loosened up from previous experience with my 97 GS.
Just wanted to mention I loosened the fork tube clamps one time and it didn't budge until I loosened the fork brace too and then I saw it go back in place as I loosened the screws so don't forget the brace.
I didn't even think about the bars. The part that led me to think it was the forks was because the top plate that the bars bolt onto is where I first noticed the crookedness. I don't have gauges so it was really easy to tell the left side gauge mount was slightly farther forward than the right side.
Looks like I've got something else to mess with today along with changing the oil (again!). Can't believe the P.O. had the fuel lines from the tank to the petcock then carb all wrong, I'm surprised it could run. No wonder it always flooded