October 10th, 2015, 09:26 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Bent forks or something else after crash
Hey,
I was involved in a minor scratch where I slid my bike on its left side. I now cant turn the wheel all the way to the right even when the handlebar is pushed in all the way in. I looked at the forks and they look okay but I am not sure? Any help will be beneficial! Thanks |
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October 10th, 2015, 09:35 PM | #2 |
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Welcome, DJ !!!
The forks may be twisted respect to each other: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/I_need_...nd_front_wheel
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October 11th, 2015, 05:42 AM | #3 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
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Or your handle bar is slightly bent inwards, check them for straightness.
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October 11th, 2015, 08:17 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
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pics
thanks for the reply, here are the pictures, I have done work on cars but not motorcycles, not sure if I should just take it to a mechanic/how expensive this is going to be.
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October 11th, 2015, 08:37 AM | #5 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
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Oh dear.... at a minimum your forks are twisted in the triples. Loosen them up and straighten everything back out as best you can and retorque. The string wheel alignment method helps when you don't have the tools to get it absolutely perfect.
My eye says you better get that right fork leg checked for straightness too, but definately the lower triple is twisted offset from the top.
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October 11th, 2015, 11:10 AM | #6 |
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Name: Sharkey
Location: Sf bay area
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Nooooo. Hope you the best on fixing you bike. To loosen that steering bolt I used the 7/8 end on a cross iron
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October 11th, 2015, 11:12 AM | #7 |
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Name: Sharkey
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Oh also a lot of shop will work it for you but not to the level as a frame shop. If it's just you triple I would call a few places and ask if they can do the repair
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October 11th, 2015, 03:10 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
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Hey,
I guess I should just take it to the mechanic, I am thinking they are twisted but my inability to make right turns is concering. It was a mild crash so I am hoping I didnt bend the forks. The local guy is telling me $300-400 if its twisted forks. Thanks |
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October 12th, 2015, 10:18 AM | #9 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
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Quote:
I believe it is not: it may take one hour to a mediocre mechanic, which is worth $60~$70. If one or both of the shinning tubes is bent, you will need to buy non-damaged used ones and replace those.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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October 12th, 2015, 11:45 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Hey,
My biggest issue is getting the front off the ground, I have a proper car jack and stands but I don't want to tip the bike over. I have thought about using wood block + jack but if the triple tree are twisted, wouldn't I need to replace them with new ones? I am guessing $300 covers new triple tree. Thanks |
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October 12th, 2015, 12:24 PM | #11 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
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Quote:
They tend to rotate respect to each other around the steering column during falls. After they have rotated, the upper and lower holes for the forks are not aligned anymore. Because of that, one fork points forward and the other points even more forward (they get twisted to each other) and hence, the handlebar and the wheel axle cannot be on the same plane (the handle bar and the wheel point in different directions). That happens easily because the friction of the four clamps holding the fork's is not that big.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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October 12th, 2015, 12:30 PM | #12 | |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
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^^^ realign, not replace unless truly bent and not just twisted.
Quote:
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October 12th, 2015, 03:52 PM | #13 |
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Name: Sharkey
Location: Sf bay area
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Well I got replacement forks and triples for $224 shipped. Found them on eBay. But my frame is bent.
For the lift get a crate. Lift it out and kick the crate under. It will hold. If it's the forks it would could $300 to fix. That's the price for frame work... I wonder if you you can take 2 4x4 blocks with bolts on each side. Heat the shiny part of the fork and when it's hot tighten the bolts down....
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October 12th, 2015, 03:55 PM | #14 |
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Name: Sharkey
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Try to rotate first if you don't see a bend. I wish mines were that simple.
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October 12th, 2015, 06:13 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Neil
Location: Austin, TX
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Have you inspected the fender bracket to make sure it's not bent? I had a similar issue and found that said bracket was bent from the crash, it caused the fork to twist.
Edit: just looked at your last picture more closely. Looks like the bracket I mentioned is definitely bent. I'd start there. i too was almost sure I had bent the forks until I removed the bracket and relieved the twisting pressure. Good luck! Last futzed with by flippn; October 12th, 2015 at 06:17 PM. Reason: More info. |
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October 12th, 2015, 06:42 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Hey,
I loosened the fender bracket but it didnt seem to help too much, the wheel alignment compared to the handle bar is still way off, I am thinking I either need to replace that bracket or hammer it in place. Thanks, DJ |
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October 12th, 2015, 06:55 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Neil
Location: Austin, TX
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I suggest removing the bracket altogether. Loosening it may not release the twist. This was the case for me.
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October 12th, 2015, 07:13 PM | #18 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Quote:
Thanks |
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October 12th, 2015, 07:19 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Neil
Location: Austin, TX
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 45
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You mean because those cables are captive in the bracket? I bent the guides keep them in place. Did the same to the new/replacement bracket so I can get them back in place, ensuring they don't move around.
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October 12th, 2015, 07:35 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Hey,
I was able to take the bracket off but no dice, I feel like its a bit better but still not getting the wheel to turn all the way to the right. Also, the handle bar hits the gas tank when I turn it to the left but it is visibly bent, probably have to realign the forks and see if that helps. thanks a lot! |
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October 12th, 2015, 07:39 PM | #21 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Neil
Location: Austin, TX
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 45
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Quote:
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October 13th, 2015, 05:32 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Hey,
I loosened the triples today (i think) and the axle bolt and alll the other stuff but I was still unable to align it, the forks were very stiff and they didnt really move much. I am thinking maybe I am doing something wrong. I can easily tell though that they are misaligned. I have attached pictures of the screws I took off and another one where it seems evident they are misaligned. |
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October 13th, 2015, 06:38 PM | #23 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Neil
Location: Austin, TX
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 45
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Quote:
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October 13th, 2015, 07:00 PM | #24 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Quote:
"Slide the fork tubes up or down as needed, so that both are sticking out the same height from the upper triple clamp. When the heights are the same, tighten the 4 triple clamp bolts." I couldn't really slide mine, they were pretty tightly clamped somewhere could have been the wheel weighing them down maybe.. |
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October 13th, 2015, 09:52 PM | #25 |
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Name: fernando
Location: tacoma
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bent frame?
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October 14th, 2015, 07:58 AM | #26 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Spooph
Location: Golden, CO
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
If I were in your situation, I would disassemble the front end completely. Remove the wheel and both fork tubes. Put the fork tubes on a flat surface and roll them to see if they are bent. Fine a piece of wood that is the same width as the difference between the lower and top tube and place it under the top tube while it's laying on a flat surface, and see if you can see a bend, or something that might suggest the top tube is no longer aligned with the bottom tube. Do this for both. Inspect the bottom axle hole, as it could have gotten damaged. Inspect the triple clamps, and release the steering column bolt, as the triple trees might have misaligned from each other. Definitely replace that fork brace!
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My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar. Last futzed with by spooph; October 14th, 2015 at 09:57 AM. Reason: "unbolten" - WTF was I smoking?! |
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October 14th, 2015, 08:57 AM | #27 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: DJ
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Quote:
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October 31st, 2015, 06:12 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Neil
Location: Austin, TX
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Did you get this sorted?
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November 16th, 2015, 10:50 PM | #29 |
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Name: Steve
Location: New Mexico
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Bent at the neck is my guess.
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