Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
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Tourer
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From: Sarasota/Bradenton FL
Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
I am helping a lady friend out putting her 2002 Sportster back together after a fairly minor crash. Bars replaced .... were slightly bent. Replaced the dampers .... one through bolt was slightly bent.
Looks to me like theforks or steering head isslightly out of alignment. No binding present.Haven't gone through the manual yet in depth but did not see a front end alignment/set up proceedure with a quick glace through.
I readsomewhere on-line once that the showa forks willself align with the trees loosen and the front end bounced.Tough to research with the search enginenot working on the forum.
Does anyone have anything they can share? Advice?
Would appreciate any assist.
Glenn
Looks to me like theforks or steering head isslightly out of alignment. No binding present.Haven't gone through the manual yet in depth but did not see a front end alignment/set up proceedure with a quick glace through.
I readsomewhere on-line once that the showa forks willself align with the trees loosen and the front end bounced.Tough to research with the search enginenot working on the forum.
Does anyone have anything they can share? Advice?
Would appreciate any assist.
Glenn
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RE: Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
I would remove the front wheel, loosen the clamps and make sure the forks are not bound up, tighten the forks in the clamps and install the front wheel.
When you install the axle tighten the axle nut first, tightening until the axle spins. Then make sure the right fork moves on the axle side to side slightly to insure it isn't hung up.
To make sure the forks are centered spin the front tire quickly and grabt he front brake quickly. The force will help to make sure the right fork centers itself on the axle.
After this tighten the right axle clamp, torque the axle nut and see how she lines up.
When you install the axle tighten the axle nut first, tightening until the axle spins. Then make sure the right fork moves on the axle side to side slightly to insure it isn't hung up.
To make sure the forks are centered spin the front tire quickly and grabt he front brake quickly. The force will help to make sure the right fork centers itself on the axle.
After this tighten the right axle clamp, torque the axle nut and see how she lines up.
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Tourer
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From: Sarasota/Bradenton FL
RE: Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
Thanks Baron.
Have a question about binding though. As it is the forks compress and release fine with no binding evident. I am guessing that what you mean by "make sure the forks are not bound up" = bound in the trees?
Are the triple trees keyed for alignment or are they movable (float) on the forks?
Have a question about binding though. As it is the forks compress and release fine with no binding evident. I am guessing that what you mean by "make sure the forks are not bound up" = bound in the trees?
Are the triple trees keyed for alignment or are they movable (float) on the forks?
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From: Nashville, TN
RE: Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
Since you mentioned having the Service Manual is will be MUCH easier. I don't think I could talk ya through this. When you look through the manual, don't look for "front alignment" Lookup the Front Wheel "Fall away" adjustment procedure. This will probably solve your problem.
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Tourer
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From: Sarasota/Bradenton FL
RE: Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
Thanks Sporty.
I won't work on any bike without the correct yearservice manual handy .... tend to get myself in trouble otherwise.
I won't work on any bike without the correct yearservice manual handy .... tend to get myself in trouble otherwise.
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RE: Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
ORIGINAL: fmbeach
Thanks Baron.
Have a question about binding though. As it is the forks compress and release fine with no binding evident. I am guessing that what you mean by "make sure the forks are not bound up" = bound in the trees?
Are the triple trees keyed for alignment or are they movable (float) on the forks?
Thanks Baron.
Have a question about binding though. As it is the forks compress and release fine with no binding evident. I am guessing that what you mean by "make sure the forks are not bound up" = bound in the trees?
Are the triple trees keyed for alignment or are they movable (float) on the forks?
Setting fall-away is not going to solve a ****-eyed front end.
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Tourer
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From: Sarasota/Bradenton FL
RE: Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
Thanks Baron.
Look's like a project for this weekend.
Look's like a project for this weekend.
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From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
RE: Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
Mine got tweaked a bit in a similar minor crash, I marked the lower triple tree and the fork tube with a dry erase marker then loosend the lower triple tree bolts a bit, clenched the tire between my legs and jerked on the handle bars. I could see by my marks that the fork had moved a bit in the lower tree so I tightend the bolts up and took it for a spin...good as new. (maybe not the most high tech method but I have put tons of miles on since and it's fine).
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Tourer
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From: Sarasota/Bradenton FL
RE: Sportster Front End Alignment ..... Help!
Update ...
Hotlap's suggestion worked perfectly. Had to loosen both the top and bottom trees though. Top left tree moved almost an 1/8 after it was loosened and the front end bounced a few times.
While I was at it I replaced the (5) triple tree and head Torx bolts with grade 5 SS Socket cap screws, locktited and re-torqued.
Someone was at the left top triple tree Torx before me with the wrong size bit and stripped out the bolt. Used a socket type extractor and got it out second shot after an overnite soaking in penetrating oil.
Test riddenlast nite by three experienced riders (2nd & 3rd opinion). All agreed no problem. No headshake, hands off at 70, 50, 40, 30 and 20MPH.
Have a couple of minor things to tweak and signals to hang and it's back on the road.
Thanks to all.
Hotlap's suggestion worked perfectly. Had to loosen both the top and bottom trees though. Top left tree moved almost an 1/8 after it was loosened and the front end bounced a few times.
While I was at it I replaced the (5) triple tree and head Torx bolts with grade 5 SS Socket cap screws, locktited and re-torqued.
Someone was at the left top triple tree Torx before me with the wrong size bit and stripped out the bolt. Used a socket type extractor and got it out second shot after an overnite soaking in penetrating oil.
Test riddenlast nite by three experienced riders (2nd & 3rd opinion). All agreed no problem. No headshake, hands off at 70, 50, 40, 30 and 20MPH.
Have a couple of minor things to tweak and signals to hang and it's back on the road.
Thanks to all.
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