my bike was backed into the other day and when I rode it home it had some serious death wobble. I have a video of the truck hitting it and it was a solid hit. I know that the front wheel is bent (tire went flat) and the headlight and signals are gone too. I believe the forks are bent. I'm worried that there might be some frame tweaks though. is it possible to check a bike frame for true while its together or do they have to pull it down to the frame? I have never seen it done but I have ridden a bike with a bad frame and its miserable.

 

I'll chime in since I've been there many times. If the frame is bad you will be able to see it, I would recommend to at least take the tank off and look at how the neck lines up to the rest of the frame. I will say this, most front end hits bad enough to bend the wheel and mess up your front end will have frame damage, most. But I wouldn't just discard the bike, unless it has been salvaged or if the insurance will pay what its worth. Frame damage is nothing, nothing a good frame guy cant repair, good as new!

 

Like Coma I have seen the same. If the fork was hit hard enough to flatten the tire besides bend the fork the frame may be out as well.

 

If I was an insurance agent, this is what I would be saying:

How did you ride it home with a bent front wheel and bent forks? Sure you have a video of being hit, but the bike left the scene of the accident under its own power. Something doesn't add up at all.

 

I understand this way of thinking. it was dark when I left work. I didn't see the damage. got on the highway and nearly crapped myself when it started wobbling. had to pull off and limp home. I'm not certain that the frame is damaged but the bike was perfect before and it took a good hit. I want to make sure when its put back together that it rides as well as it did. the front wheel, signals, fender are damaged.front brake was grabbing as well. I hope that's the extent of it.

 

I will guess you are typing from a phone and that is why so much information is missing.
For example year and model of bike.
Tire was flat from hit but you rode home?
I guess you got air into the tire and it held.
It was dark and you state "the headlight and signals are gone too" but you rode home on the highway in the dark?
You have a video but i guess the other person departed leaving you stuck with bills?
I will guess that a truck backed straight into the front of your bike, bending the rim, tweaking the forks slightly and causing the bike to tip over and hit the ground causing further damage.
A harley shop will review the bike and take measurements at key points in order to determine frame damage.

 

I glossed over details of the bike because my question was more about how to check for frame damage. I didn't know if they strip it bare and put it on a laser table or what. I called a dealer here and they gave me some details.I was typing on a phone. its a 2005 softail standard. it was backed into a space and a dodge ram 1500 with its tailgate down backed into it at an angle. when I say the parts are "gone" I simply meant damaged in some way and in need of repair or replacement. the headlight works. the light itself isn't broken but the housing is messed up and sitting at an angle. the turn signals are custom dynamic wrap around led units. the signals still light up but only 1 or 2 of the 30 or so l.e.ds light up. on my ride home I did notice the headlight was bouncing around badly and that the signals were only partially working but I was concerned about the handling and it slipped my mind once I got home. as far as the tire I'm not sure. when I saw it in the light the next morning it was completely flat. I don't know how much air it had in it when I left.

 

I got my estimate from fort thunder Harley here in okc. the fork tubes, triple trees, headlight and housing, turn signals, handle bars, fuel tank, front fender ,and front brake rotor are all damaged and need replacing. the front wheel is straight and they didn't find any frame issues. I hadn't considered the tank was damaged.

 

This may help you.

http://www.motorcycleframeman.com/harley001.html