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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Aligning dumped Savage
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Message started by methom on 10/24/06 at 14:36:40

Title: Aligning dumped Savage
Post by methom on 10/24/06 at 14:36:40

Well, so much for my abilities as a motorcycle instructor. I was teaching my 16-year old how to ride a bike and he was doing well. Easing on the clutch and just going 5 feet or so. Anyway, when we went for a 30-foot glide on the driveway he spaced out (his term) and revved it in first and dumped the bike on the lawn. Luckily he was not hurt (other than major ego bruises). Anyway, the front end is slightly out of alignment (i.e., the tire points south while the handle bars point north). It isn't bad...maybe 2"-3" out of alignment. Can any of you folks point me toward prior posts regarding how to re-align the front end or do you have recommendations? Do I just loosen everything up, realign it, and then re-tighten it? By the way, he is enrolled in a professional riding course now. Thanks for any help.

Title: Re: Aligning dumped Savage
Post by Dynobob on 10/24/06 at 14:50:00

methom wrote:

Can any of you folks point me toward prior posts regarding how to re-align the front end or do you have recommendations? Do I just loosen everything up, realign it, and then re-tighten it?

If nothing is bent, yes loosen everything up, twist and retighten. You can twist the bars where they mount to the triple trees after loosening the bolts at the bottom of the risers. You can also twist the forks in the triple trees by loosening up the clamping bolts. Most likely, it's your bars that are tweaked. I'd start there.

Title: Re: Aligning dumped Savage
Post by methom on 10/24/06 at 14:58:32

I believe that you're right that it is just the bars. I'll give it a go and let you know. BTW, it is a 2000 Savage...thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Title: Re: Aligning dumped Savage
Post by Ed_L. on 10/25/06 at 06:35:24

Check the bolts that hold the risers on, they tend to get bent with a low speed dump. At least they did when I went over :-/

Title: Re: Aligning dumped Savage
Post by barb36jack31 on 10/25/06 at 15:07:10

Often when you loosen things up and give the tire a kick in the right direction, the whole thing goes "Sprong" and pops back into position. Has worked for me many times when I managed to throw my dirt bike into the weeds. (Case of enthusiasm overtaking skill).

Jack H.