front end problems

[kawirider23]

i have a 2003 zx7r and i recently got run off the road by another driver, anyway when i went down my left side handle bar got bent. To make a long story short i got the parts and fixed it. I took it around the block to make sure that everything was ok. my front tire was not lined up with the handlebars. the bars were off to the right a couple of inches. anyone have any kind of help for me. i think my forks might be bent but i would like some more input.

thanks all

[zx7Ryder]

Make sure your forks aren't twisted in the triple trees. You'll need to loosen the upper and lower clamps in order to realign them. If you can lift the front end, that would make it easier. I use a rear stand and wood blocks under the header. If the problem persist, you'll need to pull the forks and have them inspected.

[hybrid]

can someone explain why there is some crazy assed myth that you can "twist" forks in the clamps?

Hello?

The bottom of the forks or the "inner tubes" are free floating and can rotate 360 degrees independant of the upper tubes..............you cannot twist forks.

Check your handle bar..........the stock one has a bolt that locates it if I remember correctly and you may not have it lined up.

Other than that youre looking at either a bent triple clamp (top, bottom or both) or a bent fork leg.

kaw has always been over kill in strength..........so Im guessing your bars are just not on right.

[RedRidingHood]

Originally Posted by hybrid

can someone explain why there is some crazy assed myth that you can "twist" forks in the clamps?

Hello?
.........

not everyone has graduated mmi, mr helpful now get back to work on your windscreens

[zx7Ryder]

Originally Posted by hybrid

can someone explain why there is some crazy assed myth that you can "twist" forks in the clamps?

Hello?

The bottom of the forks or the "inner tubes" are free floating and can rotate 360 degrees independant of the upper tubes..............you cannot twist forks.

Check your handle bar..........the stock one has a bolt that locates it if I remember correctly and you may not have it lined up.

Other than that youre looking at either a bent triple clamp (top, bottom or both) or a bent fork leg.

kaw has always been over kill in strength..........so Im guessing your bars are just not on right.

I did not mean the fork themselves can twist. What I meant, was the bottom triple is not aligned with the upper triple. Out of curiosity, how does a triple clamp bend? I am trying to picture that.

[bds740]

I had the same thing happen to my old 6. I was told by the local Kawi mechanict to bang the front tire against a tree and knock it back in place. It did work, although it was a odd way to fix it.

[wolfman]

Originally Posted by bds740

I had the same thing happen to my old 6. I was told by the local Kawi mechanict to bang the front tire against a tree and knock it back in place. It did work, although it was a odd way to fix it.

I would definately find yourself another mechanic!!!