Any help with aligning the front end?

IndyKTM · 06-18-2008, 12:12 PM

I had bad fork seals, so it was cheaper to buy a newer set of forks with about 5000 miles on them then to have the seals replaced through a shop. Done it a dozen times on my dirt bike. All went well but when I ride the bike now it pulls to the left. The forks are in great shape with new oil and proper amout of it. On my KTM I would just loosen up the triple bolts and it would straighten out on it's own, but that has not worked with the GZ. Granted my KTM has USD forks but I would assume the conventionals need to be rock soild like my others so what to do?

When going about 40mph you should be able to let go of the bars and the bike should glide straight, but the bike leans to the left like there is a 30lb weight hanging from the peg(I do not recommend doig this, but I am a very well rounded motorcycle rider and this is my favorite way to get a feel for the handling on a bike once adjustments have been made to the front end). Let's just say, when I bought the bike it was perfectly balanced. Now it leans to the left.

Thanks

sc_frontier · 03-10-2011, 06:46 PM

If the forks are straight, I would assume you have one fork that is softer than the other, causing the front wheel to lean. It could also be coming from rear wheel, or some defect in the tire?

blaine · 03-10-2011, 07:00 PM

Did you check to see if your front wheel is running nice & free?I'm thinking thatmaybe you have a bad wheel bearing,or a brake pad sticking.
:cool:

Water Warrior 2 · 03-10-2011, 08:54 PM

Try this, it may work. Loosen the bottom clamps on both sides of the triple. Loosen the pinch bolt on the bottom of the right fork leg. Wiggle the bars and then pump the forks up and down a couple times. Tighten pinch bolt and triple. This is/was a fix for another bike rider who had a pull to the left. It seems the forks were not quite aligned to each other and this fixed it.

alantf · 03-11-2011, 05:32 AM

This problem happened nearly 3 years ago. I hope he's got it sorted out by now.

bonehead · 03-11-2011, 07:00 AM

People have got to look at the date of the original post.

Water Warrior 2 · 03-11-2011, 02:59 PM

Good grief, normally I look at the date to see the original post time.

sc_frontier · 03-22-2011, 01:05 PM

I always like finding answers to questions I have, even if it is someone elses question from long ago. I feel like this adds value to the forum community.

06-18-2008, 12:12 PM	#1
IndyKTM Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: The Ville, IN Posts: 24	Any help with aligning the front end? I had bad fork seals, so it was cheaper to buy a newer set of forks with about 5000 miles on them then to have the seals replaced through a shop. Done it a dozen times on my dirt bike. All went well but when I ride the bike now it pulls to the left. The forks are in great shape with new oil and proper amout of it. On my KTM I would just loosen up the triple bolts and it would straighten out on it's own, but that has not worked with the GZ. Granted my KTM has USD forks but I would assume the conventionals need to be rock soild like my others so what to do? When going about 40mph you should be able to let go of the bars and the bike should glide straight, but the bike leans to the left like there is a 30lb weight hanging from the peg(I do not recommend doig this, but I am a very well rounded motorcycle rider and this is my favorite way to get a feel for the handling on a bike once adjustments have been made to the front end). Let's just say, when I bought the bike it was perfectly balanced. Now it leans to the left. Thanks Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-10-2011, 06:46 PM	#2
sc_frontier Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 65	Re: Any help with aligning the front end? If the forks are straight, I would assume you have one fork that is softer than the other, causing the front wheel to lean. It could also be coming from rear wheel, or some defect in the tire? __________________ SC
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03-10-2011, 07:00 PM	#3
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Any help with aligning the front end? Did you check to see if your front wheel is running nice & free?I'm thinking thatmaybe you have a bad wheel bearing,or a brake pad sticking. :cool: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-10-2011, 08:54 PM	#4
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Any help with aligning the front end? Try this, it may work. Loosen the bottom clamps on both sides of the triple. Loosen the pinch bolt on the bottom of the right fork leg. Wiggle the bars and then pump the forks up and down a couple times. Tighten pinch bolt and triple. This is/was a fix for another bike rider who had a pull to the left. It seems the forks were not quite aligned to each other and this fixed it.
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03-11-2011, 05:32 AM	#5
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,719	Re: Any help with aligning the front end? This problem happened nearly 3 years ago. I hope he's got it sorted out by now. __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-11-2011, 07:00 AM	#6
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Any help with aligning the front end? People have got to look at the date of the original post. __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me.
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03-11-2011, 02:59 PM	#7
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Any help with aligning the front end? Good grief, normally I look at the date to see the original post time.
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03-22-2011, 01:05 PM	#8
sc_frontier Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 65	Re: Any help with aligning the front end? I always like finding answers to questions I have, even if it is someone elses question from long ago. I feel like this adds value to the forum community. __________________ SC
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