alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? - Yamaha FZ6 Forums - International FZ6 Motorcycle Community Forum

knave · 08-11-2008, 09:27 AM

What would I adjust to correct a slight misalignment? I can't even see it when I'm looking at the bike but I notice it when riding.

BranNwebster · 08-11-2008, 10:13 AM

I bet your handlebars are bent. Replace

DefyInertia · 08-11-2008, 10:31 AM

What happened to the bike? It was dropped, crashed, what?

Are you forks tweaked in the triples?

knave · 08-11-2008, 10:46 AM

Bike was droped in some soft dirt on it's left side. It was moving, but pretty slow.

I rode it home without any trouble. but when riding straight the handlebars are off center. Not by much and as I said before unless you are moving you can't tell. Visually I can't see any damage to either the bars, forks or triples. Is there an adjustment or is it pretty certain that something is bent?

DefyInertia · 08-11-2008, 10:47 AM

It sure sounds like you either have bent bars or tweaked forks (as opposed to bent). The latter can be fixed easily. I can't tell which it is from here

4fun · 08-11-2008, 10:56 AM

When sitting on the bike, align the triple clamp so that it is straight and look straight down over the clamp towards the wheel and see if the wheel is straight, if it isn't, your forks are tweaked, if it is, your handlebars are probably bent.

knave · 08-11-2008, 11:53 AM

How do I fix tweaked forks?

DefyInertia · 08-11-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knave

How do I fix tweaked forks?

Did you determine that is the problem????

Elevate the front wheel, loosen the triple clamps, realign, tighten everthing.

After a crash, I would actually remove the wheel & forks, look everything over checking for damage, and put it all back together with a torque wrench....but that's just me. However, with a tip-over type crash, the chances of having bent your forks etc. is pretty minimal.

Sounds daunting, but it's actually really easy with a center-stand.

4fun · 08-11-2008, 12:02 PM

I am not sure if there is a special procedure to follow on a street bike, I've only corrected the problem on motocross bikes. Basically you loosen the bolts holding the forks in the triple clamps, not enough for them to move easily but just enough to keep resistance on the forks. When you have the forks loosened, have someone hold the handle bars while you hit the front wheel, not with a hammer, a little kick should suffice. when it is all in line, tighten the bolts back up, if you have the ability to torque them down do it. be careful not to over tighten or you may strip a bolt or damage the fork.

Maybe someone else can give some advice on this.

Looks like Defy answered at the same time

knave · 08-11-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DefyInertia

Did you determine that is the problem????...

...Sounds daunting, but it's actually really easy with a center-stand.

I have not determined for sure but this sounds like what I should check first.

I don't have the bike in front of me so are the bolts on the triple clamps pretty obvious? (are there only two on an FZ6?) I do have a torque wrench, how many Ft/lbs should I retighten them to?

I have tools and some of the time I can even use them...but I don't think I'm up for taking the whole assembly apart. I don't think I'd recognize the damage anyway unless it was really screwed.

08-11-2008, 09:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
knave Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern CA(northbay) Bike: 2005 FZ6 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 3 Member #2819	alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? What would I adjust to correct a slight misalignment? I can't even see it when I'm looking at the bike but I notice it when riding. Last edited by knave; 08-11-2008 at 10:15 AM..

08-11-2008, 10:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
BranNwebster The UNO Master Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Webster Texas Bike: 07 Fz6 Posts: 447 Rep Power: 8 Member #2405	Re: alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? I bet your handlebars are bent. Replace __________________ If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of payments.

08-11-2008, 10:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
DefyInertia Saratogian Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Bike: '04 FZ6N - Silver Posts: 1,988 Rep Power: 56 Member #419	Re: alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? What happened to the bike? It was dropped, crashed, what? Are you forks tweaked in the triples? __________________ 2004 FZ6N / KTM 125 SX www.youtube.com/DefyInertia "Y'all Be Safe Out There" - KILLBOY My Rider Resume

08-11-2008, 10:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
knave Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern CA(northbay) Bike: 2005 FZ6 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 3 Member #2819	Re: alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? Bike was droped in some soft dirt on it's left side. It was moving, but pretty slow. I rode it home without any trouble. but when riding straight the handlebars are off center. Not by much and as I said before unless you are moving you can't tell. Visually I can't see any damage to either the bars, forks or triples. Is there an adjustment or is it pretty certain that something is bent? Last edited by knave; 08-11-2008 at 10:48 AM..

08-11-2008, 10:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
DefyInertia Saratogian Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Bike: '04 FZ6N - Silver Posts: 1,988 Rep Power: 56 Member #419	Re: alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? It sure sounds like you either have bent bars or tweaked forks (as opposed to bent). The latter can be fixed easily. I can't tell which it is from here __________________ 2004 FZ6N / KTM 125 SX www.youtube.com/DefyInertia "Y'all Be Safe Out There" - KILLBOY My Rider Resume

08-11-2008, 10:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
4fun Member #1360 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Long Valley, NJ Bike: 07 FZ6 Blue Posts: 518 Rep Power: 10 Member #1360	Re: alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? When sitting on the bike, align the triple clamp so that it is straight and look straight down over the clamp towards the wheel and see if the wheel is straight, if it isn't, your forks are tweaked, if it is, your handlebars are probably bent.

08-11-2008, 11:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
knave Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern CA(northbay) Bike: 2005 FZ6 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 3 Member #2819	Re: alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? How do I fix tweaked forks?

08-11-2008, 12:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
4fun Member #1360 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Long Valley, NJ Bike: 07 FZ6 Blue Posts: 518 Rep Power: 10 Member #1360	Re: alignment of the handlebars to the front wheel? I am not sure if there is a special procedure to follow on a street bike, I've only corrected the problem on motocross bikes. Basically you loosen the bolts holding the forks in the triple clamps, not enough for them to move easily but just enough to keep resistance on the forks. When you have the forks loosened, have someone hold the handle bars while you hit the front wheel, not with a hammer, a little kick should suffice. when it is all in line, tighten the bolts back up, if you have the ability to torque them down do it. be careful not to over tighten or you may strip a bolt or damage the fork. Maybe someone else can give some advice on this. Looks like Defy answered at the same time Last edited by 4fun; 08-11-2008 at 12:04 PM.. Reason: spelling

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