Handle bars are out of alignment

rabidpanda · 06-02-2005

So yeah, my handlebars aren't straight when the bike is goin straight. There is no wobble, and it goes pefectly straight if I let go of the handle bars. A friend said it might be the head bearing? But I searched and it seems that would lead to wobbling. Is this just something that I can realign myself? It's a 96 zx6r. I thought I'd ask because it will be in for new tires soon and I dont want to pay for them do adjust it if I cant do it myself.

Green Knight · 06-02-2005

As long as the forks aren't bent you can do it yourself. You're going to need a stand to lift the bike up from the steering stem. Then losen all the bolts on the triple clamps. The easyest way to fix it then is to take a pipe (wrap it with rags if you don't want to mess up the paint), place it between 2 of the wheel spokes and use it as a lever against the turn stop of the forks. You only need to do a little bit at a time till they come back into alignment. When it is lined up again, torque down the bolts again and try it out and see if it runs straight. I had to do that after my high side with my race bike because it twisted the forks from the impact. It works pretty slick. Just don't use the roters for leverage. You don't want to bend or warp them.

rabidpanda · 06-03-2005

I dont have a stand for that, is it possible to support it from under the engine? Also I have to take off the front fairing right? or can I squeeze in there with a wrench.

Green Knight · 06-03-2005

You might be able to squeeze in with a wrench. I can on my race bike. I'm not sure what kind of ways to rig it up without the stand...

chesthing · 06-03-2005

Try the center stand and someone holding the back end down.

rabidpanda · 06-03-2005

Well, it doesn't have a center stand on it. I do have a rear swing arm stand, but I dont think that will work with what your suggesting. I'll look at it today, I need to take off the side fairings to let some oil out anyway.

Just one more question tho, Is it okay to ride it this way? I wouldnt be hurting the bike or risking my life would I? If I cant fix it now, I was thinking about waiting till winter, cuz I'll taking a lot of stuff apart then and cleaning, lubing and renewing....

Green Knight · 06-03-2005

I've raced on a bike that had tweaked forks. You should be fine.

Hawkshot99 · 06-03-2005

Could he do the redneck way? Go find a big strong tree, and throw a rope or somethiing over a branch and lift it that way?

rabidpanda · 06-03-2005

lol I suppose thats always on option

I'll let you guys know what I come up with....

Green Knight · 06-03-2005

Actually, thats how I used to do it before I had a stand. Only bad thing is you'll have a hard time getting and good leverage if you use the tripple clamps to raise it up and I'm not sure where else to attach it... I used an engine hoist over a beem in my garage.

rabidpanda · 06-06-2005

Well, good news is I dont need to remove the fairing to get to the bolts, bad news is theres nowhere to support from underneath. May have to wait until I can afford the front stand

06-02-2005	#1 (permalink)
rabidpanda Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 67	Handle bars are out of alignment So yeah, my handlebars aren't straight when the bike is goin straight. There is no wobble, and it goes pefectly straight if I let go of the handle bars. A friend said it might be the head bearing? But I searched and it seems that would lead to wobbling. Is this just something that I can realign myself? It's a 96 zx6r. I thought I'd ask because it will be in for new tires soon and I dont want to pay for them do adjust it if I cant do it myself.

06-03-2005	#8 (permalink)
Hawkshot99 Need to fix bike BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Poughkeepsie NY Posts: 405	Could he do the redneck way? Go find a big strong tree, and throw a rope or somethiing over a branch and lift it that way? __________________ 91' Ninja 600R Full Vance and Hines Exaust, Crashed it, but almost repaired the plastics.

06-02-2005	#2 (permalink)
Green Knight Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mason City, IA Posts: 1,803	As long as the forks aren't bent you can do it yourself. You're going to need a stand to lift the bike up from the steering stem. Then losen all the bolts on the triple clamps. The easyest way to fix it then is to take a pipe (wrap it with rags if you don't want to mess up the paint), place it between 2 of the wheel spokes and use it as a lever against the turn stop of the forks. You only need to do a little bit at a time till they come back into alignment. When it is lined up again, torque down the bolts again and try it out and see if it runs straight. I had to do that after my high side with my race bike because it twisted the forks from the impact. It works pretty slick. Just don't use the roters for leverage. You don't want to bend or warp them.

06-03-2005	#3 (permalink)
rabidpanda Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 67	I dont have a stand for that, is it possible to support it from under the engine? Also I have to take off the front fairing right? or can I squeeze in there with a wrench.

06-03-2005	#4 (permalink)
Green Knight Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mason City, IA Posts: 1,803	You might be able to squeeze in with a wrench. I can on my race bike. I'm not sure what kind of ways to rig it up without the stand...

06-03-2005	#5 (permalink)
chesthing Bridal Boutique Manager BTK Expert Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 334	Try the center stand and someone holding the back end down.

06-03-2005	#6 (permalink)
rabidpanda Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 67	Well, it doesn't have a center stand on it. I do have a rear swing arm stand, but I dont think that will work with what your suggesting. I'll look at it today, I need to take off the side fairings to let some oil out anyway. Just one more question tho, Is it okay to ride it this way? I wouldnt be hurting the bike or risking my life would I? If I cant fix it now, I was thinking about waiting till winter, cuz I'll taking a lot of stuff apart then and cleaning, lubing and renewing....

06-03-2005	#7 (permalink)
Green Knight Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mason City, IA Posts: 1,803	I've raced on a bike that had tweaked forks. You should be fine.

06-03-2005	#9 (permalink)
rabidpanda Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 67	lol I suppose thats always on option I'll let you guys know what I come up with....

06-03-2005	#10 (permalink)
Green Knight Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mason City, IA Posts: 1,803	Actually, thats how I used to do it before I had a stand. Only bad thing is you'll have a hard time getting and good leverage if you use the tripple clamps to raise it up and I'm not sure where else to attach it... I used an engine hoist over a beem in my garage.

06-06-2005	#11 (permalink)
rabidpanda Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 67	Well, good news is I dont need to remove the fairing to get to the bolts, bad news is theres nowhere to support from underneath. May have to wait until I can afford the front stand

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