forks possibly bent?

greenmachine · August 7th, 2013, 12:38 PM

My handlebars feel slightly tweaked to the right, could my forks possibly be bent and the bike still rides very well? It might just be a mental thing and im going crazy, but they feel slightly to the right... is there any methods to test such things? And can it be adjusted via the bolts that hold the handlebars maybe?

Nemesis · August 7th, 2013, 01:07 PM

What Mackie (frame/fork straightener) told me was...go for a ride. If cornering becomes a challenge ( like the bike doesn't want to corner...pulls one side more than the other) then yes they are bent.

If it's slightly bent it's not going to make a huge difference. Racers race on slightly bent forks--Dino74 and Dmented did and still pulled impressive race times.

jkv45 · August 7th, 2013, 01:12 PM

Try loosening the pinch bolts on the fork tubes and, with someone holding the front wheel tightly between their legs, twist the bars left and right until you feel they agree with the front wheel. Tighten everything down properly.

Go for a ride and see if it pulls consistently to one side or the other when you loosen your grip.

Also push the forks up and down firmly (in the garage) to see if it feels like they are binding at any point.

Boom King · August 7th, 2013, 01:19 PM

Having your bars slightly off is not a huge deal. Your forks might not be bent and could simply be twisted from being laid down. If they aren't bent, you can do a quick fix to reset the bars to centre. Slightly loosen the lower pinch bolts to the triple tree and your axle bolts. Don't loosen the pinch bolts all the way. I suggest having a torque wrench handy when doing this but if not, just mark the bolts before loosening them up.

Once they are loose, straddle your seat and grab the front brake and press straight down on the handle bars in a direction perpendicular to the ground in order to compress the front forks a good bit. Do this at least a few times. Check the alignment and tighten all the bolts back up and you should be good.

chsonnu · August 9th, 2013, 03:28 PM

I would first make sure the forks aren't twisted. I do this by measuring the distance between the dust seals to the lower clamps.

August 7th, 2013, 12:38 PM	#1
greenmachine ninjette.org member Name: mitch Location: corona Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): Green Ninja 250 2008!!!! Posts: 202	forks possibly bent? My handlebars feel slightly tweaked to the right, could my forks possibly be bent and the bike still rides very well? It might just be a mental thing and im going crazy, but they feel slightly to the right... is there any methods to test such things? And can it be adjusted via the bolts that hold the handlebars maybe?

August 7th, 2013, 01:07 PM	#2
Nemesis CVMA #74 WSMC #750 Name: Nemesis Location: On the track Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.	What Mackie (frame/fork straightener) told me was...go for a ride. If cornering becomes a challenge ( like the bike doesn't want to corner...pulls one side more than the other) then yes they are bent. If it's slightly bent it's not going to make a huge difference. Racers race on slightly bent forks--Dino74 and Dmented did and still pulled impressive race times. __________________________________________________

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August 7th, 2013, 01:12 PM	#3
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Try loosening the pinch bolts on the fork tubes and, with someone holding the front wheel tightly between their legs, twist the bars left and right until you feel they agree with the front wheel. Tighten everything down properly. Go for a ride and see if it pulls consistently to one side or the other when you loosen your grip. Also push the forks up and down firmly (in the garage) to see if it feels like they are binding at any point.

August 7th, 2013, 01:19 PM	#4
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Having your bars slightly off is not a huge deal. Your forks might not be bent and could simply be twisted from being laid down. If they aren't bent, you can do a quick fix to reset the bars to centre. Slightly loosen the lower pinch bolts to the triple tree and your axle bolts. Don't loosen the pinch bolts all the way. I suggest having a torque wrench handy when doing this but if not, just mark the bolts before loosening them up. Once they are loose, straddle your seat and grab the front brake and press straight down on the handle bars in a direction perpendicular to the ground in order to compress the front forks a good bit. Do this at least a few times. Check the alignment and tighten all the bolts back up and you should be good.

August 9th, 2013, 03:28 PM	#5
chsonnu ninjette.org member Name: ccs Location: Boston Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2001 Suzuki GS500 Posts: 17	I would first make sure the forks aren't twisted. I do this by measuring the distance between the dust seals to the lower clamps.