Front Wheel Alignment

[WimbleHJR]

Hi,

Am hoping for some help regarding my Fazer 600 (X reg). Basically due to a old lady pulling out on me a month ago I had to emergency stop and bike slid down the road. Since then i've had the front fairing replaced and new gear changer etc. What I have noticed though is that since the accident the front wheel alignment isn't quite right.

When I'm going straight the handlebars are set up as though I'm going slightly right (as in the left side is forward of the right). From doing some research on here and on you tube i think it might be the forks (https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=2828299) but what i wondered is how easy this is to fix? Has anyone ever done it on a Fazer or similar? I've paid a fair bit already getting it fixed and I'd rather not spend more if its simple enough to do myself.

Any advice/experience that could help would be great,

Thanks

[Hetzer]

Loosen off all the yoke bolts (make sure the bike is supported under the engine or bottom yoke) and see if you can twist the bars straight again (hold front wheel between your legs). You may even feel it 'fall' naturally into place.

One assumes you've already established the bars aren't bent/out of whack and the forks are undamaged.
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[Bezzer]

If you're lucky nothing is bent and it's just the forks twisted a touch in the yokes. You can loosen the yoke tube clamp bolts a touch and twist the bars with the wheel up against a wall to try and straighten them back making sure it's not too loose so they drop through. Or support the front end and loosen the clamps right off then do them up again.

edit - too slow, wot he says ^^^
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[MarJay]

[WimbleHJR]

Cheers for your advice everyone

I'll give it a go on sat morning. I'm hoping its a simple fix as it's already cost a fair bit. It sounds like its something I can at least have a go at myself.

[WimbleHJR]

Actually, one other thing, I also feel like the front end is lower than it was before. To be honest at first I thought I was overthinking things having come off, but the ride just feels like i'm leaning slightly more forward.

Is this likely to be the suspension/forks as well?

[Ichy]

Maybe the bars have tilted forwards? What type are they? If they are standard handlebars then just loosen the clamp, move them to a comfortable position, tighten clamp.
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[garth]

Just point the wheel against a wall and give the bars a clobber the other way.

[Ilyin]

I might be wrong, and if I am can somebody please correct me before OP tries my suggestion:

Have you checked your rear wheel, I'm pretty sure if your rear wheel comes out of alignment then you suffer the offset bars like you are describing.

For the sake of 5 or 10 mins work it might be worth resitting your rear wheel.

[Richy CB1000]

If there's a twist in there it could be at one of several points.

I've always done it by:-

Leave top yolk bolts done then the bike won't drop.

Loosen the following

Wheel axle bolt
Disc calliper bolts
Lower yolk bolts
Steering head bolt

Bounce the front a few times on the forks, with all that stuff loose it'll fall back into whatever line it will take. Meaning if nothing's twisted or bent you'll be straight, otherwise you'll see where you're out and nothing will be under strain.

Do it all back up again, hopefully you're straight and all's ok.

[Jonathan A]

Might seem a bit stupid, but are the bars bent?