HELP - front end advice required *** UPDATE ***
 

This afternoon some toerag in a little white van decided that he wanted the piece of road I was occupying & didn't want to wait for me to move out the way - result - he drove into the side of me :cry: (side on not T-Boned fortunately)

Anyway, the bike is rideable BUT, to steer in a straight line I need to angle the bars slightly - even I know that this ain't right !!

Can anyone give me any ideas as to what may be wrong ?

Obviously I'm gonna need to get the bike looked at professionally - but since the w****r didn't stop (I did get his number & have reported it to the police along with a witnesses tel number - but I'm not gonna hold my breath waiting for a result) - I would like an idea of how much I may be needing to pay out to get it fixed.

It could be things are just twisted slightly in the yokes- I had this happen after an off, just loosened all the bolts and straightened it up, then tightened it again.

Gutted!

Sounds like the forks may have twisted in the yokes. Hopefully this is all that has happened and nothing worse.

It is quite easy to sort this. Loosen off the pinch bolts on EITHER the top or bottom yoke. NOT BOTH. Bounce the forks up and down a bit. Don't go mental on 'em. Then nip the pinch bolts back up.

Have you checked the handlebars aren't bent or twisted???

If they are you will need replacements. Do not try to bend handlebars back. You don't want to be around if they break at speed!!!! :shock:

Oh yes, didn't mention that I had it on a stand when I did it :)

Scoobs has the right idea but I'd suggest he hasn't gone far enough.

Loosen: Front wheel spindle and clamps, lower yoke bolts, steering stem nut.

Vigorously bounce front end up and down, retighten from the bottom up, that is: spindle, clamps, yoke, steering stem.

GOOD NEWS !! :D :D

A mate of mine came round this evening to take a look at the forks for me - told me to sit on the bike & hold the bars tight - he then gave them a shove & the whole thing came straight !! :shock:

I wasn't aware that the rubbers are designed to 'soak up' an impact & that it was just the bars mis-aligned within these rubbers :oops:

But, thanks very much for your advice guys - it's nice to know that although I maybe a muppet when it comes to these things there are those around who are willing to share their knowledge :D

That is good news.

Forgot to mention the BRUTE FORCE method! :lol: :wink:

ahh yes the brute force method, good news that you are sorted now. i am useless with these sort of things :) .


edited to make more sense

Is that good news???

well just as long as you don't let me near your bike with a spanner it is :lol: .