The CB1100 Community Forum

As Max describes above, using a spirit or carpenter's level is a great tool to tell if forks are bent. They are a very straight and rigid I-beam. When held across the fork tubes, on straight forks, they should contact at 4 points. There should be no rattling or rocking.

If there is less than a credit card's gap at any point, the forks may just "tweaked", and possibly correctible without removal. I've straightened many "tweaked" front ends just by holding the front wheel against a post, and giving the handlebars a solid shove.

If the level contacts solidly, the forks are either most likely straight, or pushed back evenly from a straight-on impact. If so, tighten all the axle and clamp bolts, and the triple clamp bolts. Put the bike on the centerstand, have a helper put weight on the back seat (or put a jack under the front of the engine/exhaust to take some weight off the front end).

Loosen the pinch bolts of the triple clamps ON ONE SIDE ONLY. Then turn the fork tube through one rotation by hand or with a wrench on the top nut. If it does not bind, it is straight (or very, very close). Tighten the pinch bolts and try the process on the other side.

(03-22-2022, 09:26 PM)GoldOxide_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Risking a bent front fork? ...

That RamCam is a hoot!!

(03-22-2022, 12:18 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]See under the heading “The sort of technical bit” in this post, http://www.cb1100forum.com/forum/showthr...?tid=11837

Looks like I will have to remove my handlebar to get to the steering stem nut, but I do know the bars are bent and should be replaced anyways.

(03-23-2022, 05:11 AM)pekingduck_imp Wrote: [ -> ]As Max describes above, using a spirit or carpenter's level is a great tool to tell if forks are bent. They are a very straight and rigid I-beam. When held across the fork tubes, on straight forks, they should contact at 4 points. There should be no rattling or rocking.

If there is less than a credit card's gap at any point, the forks may just "tweaked", and possibly correctible without removal. I've straightened many "tweaked" front ends just by holding the front wheel against a post, and giving the handlebars a solid shove.

If the level contacts solidly, the forks are either most likely straight, or pushed back evenly from a straight-on impact. If so, tighten all the axle and clamp bolts, and the triple clamp bolts. Put the bike on the centerstand, have a helper put weight on the back seat (or put a jack under the front of the engine/exhaust to take some weight off the front end).

Loosen the pinch bolts of the triple clamps ON ONE SIDE ONLY. Then turn the fork tube through one rotation by hand or with a wrench on the top nut. If it does not bind, it is straight (or very, very close). Tighten the pinch bolts and try the process on the other side.

(03-22-2022, 09:26 PM)GoldOxide_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Risking a bent front fork? ...

That RamCam is a hoot!!

I've used a level and all contact points are good, so maybe they are just out of rotation after further thought. I've also loosened and shoved the forks which seemed to help the alignment slightly.

Here are some dark photos. * I really need some LED Garage lights *



The 2nd photo really shows how misaligned the front is. The wheel is at an angle compared to the rest of the front end. Lights & handlebar and the other things that stand out to me looking at it.

I really do appreciate all the insight from this forum. Glad to be part of the community for this modern classic. First motorcycle crash, As others have said, its not a matter of if you crash, but when.

Really hard to tell anything from the pics, but say, a set of wire wheels would probably fix it all. In fact there's a set for sale on the Forum.....

Seriously, I would replace the handlebars first, just to have a baseline. Without straight bars, everything will seem a bit wonky.

Does it go straight down the road, or does it pull to one side or the other?

She rides straight, I haven't noticed any real pull.

It is hard to tell what is actually out of alignment since everything just looks off when I look at the bike.

Any recommendations for handlebars? Have been browsing the forum for answers to this question, but it is personal preference it would seem.

EVERYTHING is a personal preference. If it were mine, my preference would be just to go back with stock replacement pieces

(03-21-2022, 05:02 AM)Coronado_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Hello everyone,

Last year I happen to crash my 2014.

I rode the bike home after the crash and fixed the minor details, but noticed that my bikes front forks, handle bar, and wheel are somewhat out of alignment. Has anyone successfully aligned them back into place? I did straighten the forks out a bit with the help of some online research, but it isn't perfect. My front tire is still at an angle.

Will post images when I get home!

Thanks!

If you need a set of 2014 OEM fork legs, message me.


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