I bought a 1998 Fatboy with 6,000 original miles on her. Very nice shape.

Bought it from a stand-up guy who was the original owner. Truly trust the word of this family guy.

After about 500 miles, I noticed the handlebars are off just a tad.

Then I put 4" pullback/risers on and it is now more pronounced - maybe like 1" off from the left to the right side.

Original owner said on the bible it was NEVER dumped or in an accident and I truly believe him - he's a good $hit and honest Joe.

I'm thinking it may just be a front-end alignment/adjustment thing.

Has anyone ever seen this before???

Reading the FSM, I see a section on "FORK ADJUSTMENT / steering head bearing adjustment - 1" to 2" fall-away method."

Would this help me get things back in alignment assuming there was no damage ever done???

Thanks for your help in advance. Clueless.

Dave H. Appleton, WI 9/4/12 6:30pm

 

Loosen up the risers and bars. Align it all and tighten it up. It's not in the trees per say. It's from the risers up.

Could be a bad riser bushing too.

 

Thanks RFG, but I did that twice - uninstalled 4" risers and reinstalled original like 1" risers - then reinstalled 4" risers.

Originals and 4" risers are still off no matter how I tighten/assemble/reassemble.

Bushings are like new too. Bike only has 6000 miles.

Is there any way to adjust/align the top tripletree/bars/risers with the forks???

Maybe that triple tree center bolt or side bolt under the cap or both possibly???

All I need is about a half to an inch move to the left.

Just looking for advice - thanks again.

Dave H.

 

He said to loosen the risers and tree bolts. Then with something or someone holding the wheel, twist the bars until straight. Once straight, tighten everything back up.

 

It could be tweaked. Loosen up the trees and see what happens.

My friends 99 fanboy was in a minor slide into a car. Hd shop replaced the sheet metal but didn't think a minor drop would do anything. Bike off tracked and wore the rear off to one side. Sounds crazy but look see where your rear is wearing. Also pick the bike up in a jack and make sure the bike itself is level. See if the front tire is dead center of the frame.

 

Thanks guys I'll try that stuff in time. Nothing unusual with tire wear.

Also thinking maybe if I loosen the center bolt #26 and the clamp bolt #27 that locks onto that center shaft, and the two end triple tree bolts then maybe I can move the entire top bracket 29 just a fraction to align things.

 

Quick check, see if the belt is close to being centered on the rear pulley when spinning the wheel forward and then backward.
If not:
Check the distance from the axle center to the rear fork pivot shaft center, should be equal on both sides.

Al

 

You know, the more I think of and "DREAM" about this, it keeps coming back in my head that it is the risers out-of-whack / out-of-adjustment - just as RFG stated early on.

Am I wrong about this: essentially, in an EXTREME, you could twist/position BOTH risers equally at a F'upped angle and have your handlebars mounted SIDEWAYS if so desired

So maybe all I really have to do is mark the current position of them, move them a red C hair, and then they'll be straight???

I'm an engineer (chemical) of 35 years and this basic mechanical stuff is a freakin' brain teaser for sure

I TRULY RESPECT EACH AND EVERY MECHANIC/WRENCH WORLDWIDE - YOU GUYS HAVE A TRUE TALENT THAT DOES NOT GET ENOUGH RESPECT IN TODAY'S WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all the feedback/input.

Dave H. Appleton, WI

 

Check rear wheel alignment. If it's off, you would need to compensate by turning the front wheel.

 

I can see just by looking down at the triple tree that my bars are off.

Thanks. Dave H.