05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
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From: Knoxville, TN
05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
...One of the first things I noticed when I brought the bike home a few weeks ago was that when going straight down the road, the front forks seem to be "pointing" slightly right. It doesn't seem to have any effect on handling, but it is rather annoying. I'd rather not take the bike to the local dealer (I like to do everything possible myself), so my question is - what do I need to do to fix the problem? My guess is I need to loosen up the fork clamps (and more?) and just sort of twist them a bit.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: 05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
Bob,
Your front wheel is probably not off. I am betting that the handlebars are just crooked. Slightly loosed the four handlebar clamp bolts, get someone to hold the front wheel straight while you move the bars until the wheel and the bars are lined up. Hold everything in this position and tighten the handlebar clamp back up. I think this will solve your problem.
Regards,
Bill
Your front wheel is probably not off. I am betting that the handlebars are just crooked. Slightly loosed the four handlebar clamp bolts, get someone to hold the front wheel straight while you move the bars until the wheel and the bars are lined up. Hold everything in this position and tighten the handlebar clamp back up. I think this will solve your problem.
Regards,
Bill
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From: Knoxville, TN
RE: 05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
Hi Bill. Appreciate the response. I thought of that and took a hard look. The handlebars are aligned well with the forks, so I don't believe that to be an issue - assuming I understand your response correctly. Going down the road, the handle bars and forks both appear to point slightly right.
Bob
Bob
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RE: 05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
Finally......someone to possible verify that I am not indeed insane.
My 03' LowRider does the same thing.
I first noticed it going down the road and thought that the alignment of the handlebar/clamp [visually speaking] did not line up with the headlight/forks/front wheel when going down the road. It just seemed off. You could point the front wheel straight while sitting still and the handle bar/handlebar clamp seemed to be off.
I had a trusted mechanic at a dealership look at it and he said that he had seen the risers "twist" within the rubber bushings they were mounted in.
Occasionally I give the handle bars/etc a twist all the way to the left and it seems to line back up properly.
Simply put, I never got a good explanation but it is about the only thing about my otherwise wonderful bike set-up that drives me friggin' nutts.
Info?
My 03' LowRider does the same thing.
I first noticed it going down the road and thought that the alignment of the handlebar/clamp [visually speaking] did not line up with the headlight/forks/front wheel when going down the road. It just seemed off. You could point the front wheel straight while sitting still and the handle bar/handlebar clamp seemed to be off.
I had a trusted mechanic at a dealership look at it and he said that he had seen the risers "twist" within the rubber bushings they were mounted in.
Occasionally I give the handle bars/etc a twist all the way to the left and it seems to line back up properly.
Simply put, I never got a good explanation but it is about the only thing about my otherwise wonderful bike set-up that drives me friggin' nutts.
Info?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: 05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
Bob,
I would try to strighten the bars and see what happens. My wife's Lowrider was like that and the method I described above worked. If the front wheel was actually tracking sideways I would think the handling would be terrible.
If it's not the alignment of the bars, then my only suggestion is take to the shop.
Sorry I couldn't help more.
Regards,
Bill
I would try to strighten the bars and see what happens. My wife's Lowrider was like that and the method I described above worked. If the front wheel was actually tracking sideways I would think the handling would be terrible.
If it's not the alignment of the bars, then my only suggestion is take to the shop.
Sorry I couldn't help more.
Regards,
Bill
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From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: 05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
ORIGINAL: 2BKFXDL
Occasionally I give the handle bars/etc a twist all the way to the left and it seems to line back up properly.
Occasionally I give the handle bars/etc a twist all the way to the left and it seems to line back up properly.
Try the method of loosening the handlebar clamps and aligning the handlebars and front wheel that I described above. I think this will get you in line and keep you there.
Regards,
Bill
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From: Knoxville, TN
RE: 05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
Thanks again for the reply.
I don't think I'm describing the problem correctly. The handlebars look to be lined up perfectly with the front forks. The forks *appear* to be lined up with the tire/fender. The problem is going down the road, the forks/handlebars are turned very slightly to the right - just enough to notice.
If I loosen the fork clamps, can I "twist" the forks ever so slightly to align them again? I cannot twist them by just using the handlebars (FXDWG forks being wider than other models may be the reason I cannot do this).
Thanks again for the help.
Bob
I don't think I'm describing the problem correctly. The handlebars look to be lined up perfectly with the front forks. The forks *appear* to be lined up with the tire/fender. The problem is going down the road, the forks/handlebars are turned very slightly to the right - just enough to notice.
If I loosen the fork clamps, can I "twist" the forks ever so slightly to align them again? I cannot twist them by just using the handlebars (FXDWG forks being wider than other models may be the reason I cannot do this).
Thanks again for the help.
Bob
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RE: 05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
Take a look here https://www.hdforums.com/m_119686/tm.htm
I cant imagine what you are saying about the entire front end being twisted but the bike still going straight, what's the possibility that your tank or tank console are not properly aligned causing the front end to seem out of alignment?
I cant imagine what you are saying about the entire front end being twisted but the bike still going straight, what's the possibility that your tank or tank console are not properly aligned causing the front end to seem out of alignment?
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RE: 05 FXDWG - Forks Slightly Off-Center....
If what you say is correct, it sounds like the bike is "dog walking" down the road. (The front end is pointed straight, but the rear is out to one side). I'd check the alignment of the rear wheel. If it's way out of whack, it could cause the symptoms you described. If it's not the rear wheel alignment, then you might want to reset your front end. Put the bike up on a jack with the front tire just barely touching the ground. Loosen up the triple tree pinch bolts and use your knees to move the front wheel until you are sure it is straight with the bars (kinda like when you used to use your knees to straighten the neck on a bicycle). After you do this, tighten everything back up, then loosen the front axle and pump the forks a couple of times.