Fork Alignment
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Texas
Fork Alignment
I have a 2012 1200 Sportster Custom and have been reading up on how to align the front forks. I have noted that some recommend that the top spindle nut should be losened or backed off. I can understand losening the spindle pinch bolt but not the spindle nut. I was under the impression that the nut was only to set the preload and that the fork yorks were not locked together unless the pinch bolt was tightened down. I have seen some fork alignment videos "Dellboys" that show him loosening the nut to align the forks. Why would this be needed? Where am I going wrong?
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Stockbridge GA
The only reason I could see loosening the fork caps would be to allow the lowers to spin more freely to find their "spot". But I dont think its necessary, they turn free enough. Remember, theres a lot of free floating going on with our front ends. The only thing thats actually bolted together is the wheel (and all its bearings and spacers) and the left lower fork. Everything else floats until you pinch them in place.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
I'm going to take your first words literally, that you want to align your forks! The two legs need to be parallel to each other, for them to work correctly and the ambition is to get them true. To achieve that the wheel axle needs to be free to move, in other words clamps and axle nut unfastened (only a little), also the clamp screws on the lower tree. The top nuts do not need to be unfastened, unless there is a serious problem.
Now tell us why you want to do this?
Now tell us why you want to do this?
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Texas
Low speed drop on to the left side. Forks look to be off a bit. I wanted to try and do the self alignment as seen on some of the videos like Dellboys. Advice and opinions please. I have all the tools and service manual. Just like to know how everyone else aligns theirs.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
As described above. Having slackened everything, stand astride the front wheel, facing backwards. Grab the bars with your hands and grip the wheel with your legs, then turn the bars in both directions. This will settle the tubes in the bottom tree and the axle in the fork ends. They should naturally find the correct alignment. Tighten tree clamps then axle, check and ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,784
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From: Boston
Ever since my bike was tipped over while parked. I never felt the forks were true after that. Im hoping its just my risers that are tweaked. I had to get new bars because they were bent.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Essentially there are three stages we can work through. What I have described above assumes the forks are only out by a small amount. If the forks won't straighten using this approach, then we try the next stage, loosening all forks fasteners. If the forks are still not right after that, then there may be something more serious, such as a bent tube. It doesn't sound as if it is that bad!
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