Fork alignment question
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Oshawa, Canada
Fork alignment question
With the help of everyone in this forum I rebuilt the forks and calipers on my new to me 1996 fatboy, thank you !
So after putting everything back together I have noticed my forks are not aligned meaning my handlebar are slightly (I would say probably a 6°) turned to the right when rifing straight
What I did wrong was with the excitement of putting everything back together I did not tighten everything slowly quarter turn at a time I tightened one side and then tighten the other side all the way and I am guessing that's where I went wrong .
So my question is I don't have anyone to help me and I don't know a way of just lifting the back end of the fat boy up... how do I align everything up and tighten it down does anybody have any tricks obviously I can't do it while on a side stand
So after putting everything back together I have noticed my forks are not aligned meaning my handlebar are slightly (I would say probably a 6°) turned to the right when rifing straight
What I did wrong was with the excitement of putting everything back together I did not tighten everything slowly quarter turn at a time I tightened one side and then tighten the other side all the way and I am guessing that's where I went wrong .
So my question is I don't have anyone to help me and I don't know a way of just lifting the back end of the fat boy up... how do I align everything up and tighten it down does anybody have any tricks obviously I can't do it while on a side stand
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
I like to get the front end up off the ground and everything just snug with top of fork tubes just above top tree. Install and torque axle in the lower legs to align the legs. Then sight across front or rear of tubes to confirm top and bottom trees are aligned before tightening the tree clamp bolts. When you are finished you should see both fork tubes are aligned, I'll bet right now they are not.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Oshawa, Canada
I like to get the front end up off the ground and everything just snug with top of fork tubes just above top tree. Install and torque axle in the lower legs to align the legs. Then sight across front or rear of tubes to confirm top and bottom trees are aligned before tightening the tree clamp bolts. When you are finished you should see both fork tubes are aligned, I'll bet right now they are not.
ok i have lift but it just lifts the whole bike, can I do this with both front and back off ground,, I was going to use the bouncing the forks method so let everything fall into place.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Oshawa, Canada
I looked at the section on how to take them off and put them back on I don't remember seeing anything about alignment maybe it's near the end I will doublecheck
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Have you tried loosening the risers,tweaking the handlebars then re-tightening?
You might want to ask these guys.
They are very good on anything EVO related.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-classic-models-84/
You might want to ask these guys.
They are very good on anything EVO related.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-classic-models-84/
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
loosening the tree clamps and tweaking the bars will change the alignment of the fork tubes and can be done on the lift with both wheels off the ground but you will need to have somebody hold the front wheel straight while you tweak.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Oshawa, Canada
I also posted there, just now
Have you tried loosening the risers,tweaking the handlebars then re-tightening?
You might want to ask these guys.
They are very good on anything EVO related.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-classic-models-84/
You might want to ask these guys.
They are very good on anything EVO related.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-classic-models-84/
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Oshawa, Canada
Ok right now I got the bike jacked up and both wheels off the ground I have everything south of the fork caps loosened up.
Pinch bolts
Calipers,
Wheel axle nut.
Fender removed
Do I need to loosen up the fork caps? And what's the best way to proceed from here?
Pinch bolts
Calipers,
Wheel axle nut.
Fender removed
Do I need to loosen up the fork caps? And what's the best way to proceed from here?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 67
From: Phoenix
Don't loosen the fork caps. There's a lot of pressure on them from the fork springs, and they don't have anything to do with alignment.
The axle should align the fork tubes to each other laterally. Once you have that installed, move each tube up or down in the triple trees until they're at the height you want, and then check (preferably with a Vernier caliper, but a machinist's ruler will work) the height of each one to verify they're the same. Tighten pinch bolts and recheck height.
The axle should align the fork tubes to each other laterally. Once you have that installed, move each tube up or down in the triple trees until they're at the height you want, and then check (preferably with a Vernier caliper, but a machinist's ruler will work) the height of each one to verify they're the same. Tighten pinch bolts and recheck height.