1988 Sportster. Front looks stock. I just bought it. I don't see any indications of any damage.

My front wheel seems to be cocked to the right. When I'm tracking straight, the handlebars look like they are turned a couple degrees to the left.

I tried loosening all the fork pinch bolts, the axle nut and the axle pinch bolt. The forks were nice and loose. I tried to get everything straight then retighten all the fasteners gradually and evenly. I did this several times but it continues to be off.

Does anyone know any other things to try? Could it mean bent forks ro other parts?

 

Two possibilities. One is that the handlebars themselves are bent, or out of alignment, giving the illusion that the wheel is. Alternatively, the wheel really is out of line!

You could try slackening the handlebar mounting, under the top tree, plus the bar clamps, to shake them and see if the bars can be straightened. If that doesn't cure it, do as you did before and slacken all the fork pinch bolts, then straddle the front wheel, looking backwards down the bike. Grip the wheel with your legs and twist on the bars, to make sure the fork legs move in the trees. Sit on the bike, apply the front brake and pump the forks firmly (ensure the top tree pinch bolts are TIGHT before doing that!). Hopefully that should do it.......

 

If the bars look crooked looking down at the triple trees, Your handle bars are probably mounted crooked.
On one side or the other loosen one of the bolts on the handle bars, and tighten the other on the same side, this will **** the bars one way or the other.
If it makes it worse then do it the opposite way.
I know this sounds crazy untill you try it but you need to be carful how you tighten up the bars in the clamps because the mounts are split, and it ***** the mounts as you tighten up the top clamps.

 

Thanks for the quick responses.

I looked at my forks and noticed that the right fork tube is slightly bent. I took it to a machinest today and he said he could straighten it for $50 to $60. Of course, that's with me removing it and disassembling the fork.

I am trying to check about finding a new one to compare the prices. It is a 1988 883. I assume what I have now is stock. Does anyone know what size fork tube i should be looking for? I think it is 39,, showa but there are many different lengths.

 

39mm is the diameter, I think. I think they used the same forks for many years, possibly someone on this site can set you up.

John

 

I found a part number for the whole fork assembly. 45900-88 for the right side. checking on the internet, it looks like that is 39mm. I just don't have a length for the tube only. Considering the cost for the entire tube assembly, I prefer to buy a tube and leave the rest of the parts. I just hate to disable the bike and leave it apart for the time it takes to measure the length and find a used one. Wasting valuable fall riding weather in Ohio. I'm also too lazy to take it apart twice.

At this point, I think I'm going to give the guy at the machine shop a try. I think I'll take it apart on Monday and take it in to be straightened.

 

I'm not sure, but it looks like the tube length might be 24 1/4"

 

How do you straighten a bent tube?

 

If one can find a shop willing to do it, they use a hydraulic press.I have had it done many years ago on a ATV.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I just want to follow up so that anyone looking at this thread in the future will know how it turned out.

Like I said, the forks were somewhat bent. The right one more than the left. I didn't see any other signs of damage. I first noticed it by looking at both fork tubes from the side. I could see that they were not lined up.

I ended up taking the fork off and disassembling it. I then took the fork tube to a local machine shop where it was straightened for $59.90 including tax. Of course, I added new fork oil when I put it back together. The next day, I took the other fork apart and checked the tube. It was just slightly bent but the machine shop guy said the bend was so slight that I should not worry about.

I've read other threads about dangers in weakening the tubes by bending then straightening. I don't think straightening a slight bend will cause any real hazard. I did try to find replacement fork tubes but they were pretty expensive.